ready to use vs. powder

sybilgrae

Is there any negatives or issuew with using ready to use vs. the powder formula?  It seems to be so much cheaper to buy the ready to use.  Why and what is the disadvantages if there are any?  A 6 pack of 1 quart ready to use nutramigen is $52 on amazon.  Why does this seem like such a good deal!  

  

bcnoelle

I've found ready to use to be a bit more expensive but I like it cause less shaking=less bubbles. Plus we always know the ratio is mixed perfectly. I was buying distiller water with the powdered formula cause that is what Baby 411 recommended.

monkeyqueen

If you like the liquid, you could look for a concentrate.   It's pretty easy to mix.   Plus (if you do the math), powder and concentrate are about the same price per oz.

Wufroggy79

You may have just found a good sale. IMO ready to eat is way more expensive in the long run, at least with what we use in Enfamil Infant. The ready to eat also sketches me out because it is a totally different color than the powdered formula, and wtf is in it that it has a shelf life of about eight months when it is already mixed? If you are worried about bubbles, use a Dr. Brown's formula pitcher.

kabarbanel

I EP for DD, but DS was mostly on formula. Powder was way cheaper, but DS had issues with spitting up, and the liquid was much better for him, so that's what we used. More convenient to be able to just pour it in the bottles.

Lisa Frank

I actually think RTF is more expensive, but it's not that much more in my area. 

I use RTF because my DD seems to tolerate it better than the powder. However, I do a big powder mix up about once a day and mix 1-2 oz into her RTF bottles to save a little bit of money   She tolerates the 1-2 oz, but an entire bottle of the powder results in a super fussy, gassy baby.  Weird.

I also think it's convenient to travel with, but less expensive? Nah. 

p1nklemonade

rtf is actually way more expensive than the powder in my experience.  we prefer powder, and when i have coupons plus checks, i'll buy powder.  however, when i only have checks, i'll buy rtf, because it's almost free. ($5 check, retails for about $5.70 in my area)

ladiebugg1

nbeseau:

You may have just found a good sale. IMO ready to eat is way more expensive in the long run, at least with what we use in Enfamil Infant. The ready to eat also sketches me out because it is a totally different color than the powdered formula, and wtf is in it that it has a shelf life of about eight months when it is already mixed? If you are worried about bubbles, use a Dr. Brown's formula pitcher.

This and the cost. The 19.8oz can of powdered formula makes approx. 139 oz of prepared formula = $32.50.....so 23 cents per ounce.

1 of the RTF cans has 32 oz =$8.79....so 27 cents per ounce.

The biggest reason for me was the ease of the powder when traveling. It is easier for me to pack a bottle with water and add the powder than remembering a can opener, having to pour the RTF into a bottle and then pouring the rest of the can into something else to store until the next feeding. Not to mention, worrying about keeping the RTF cold after it was opened. That's just my opinion

Scout05

Like PP said, it's a cost issue.

We buy RTF when we are going out of town, because it's easier to deal with in the car and I feel better about when we arrived at our destination because I don't have to worry about bottled water, etc.

We use powder at home and I bring powder in the Munchkin divided container for normal day to day running around. I just prefill the bottles w/ water at home and mix on the go.

SoonMrsCruz

I actually use both! When I am home I use the rtf. I premake the bottles for the next day each night, when it's time for a feeding I put it in the warmer for a little bit to take the chill off. When we are out I use the powder because it's just easier!

I tried to transition to using the powder for every feeding (since it's cheaper), but DS started crying and screaming at every feeding, push the bottle away, then cry more because he was hungry. He tolerates the powder for a feeding here and there, but didn't like it for every single feeding.

sybilgrae

Can you use checks and coupons to buy formula?  I did not know this!