Best prices on formula? And other FF tips please!

love2b_mrst

I am transitioning from bf to ff.  I am dropping a feeding a week, and Mabrey seems to be doing fine.  I have been able to use samples and donations from friends, but I will be needing to buy formula soon.  A couple questions:

1. Where have you found the best prices on formula?

2.  Do you use one kind only, or switch based on price or freebies?

3.  Anyone ever used store brand (specifically Target up&up?)

4.  Any other tips for making ff easier?  I'm at peace with being done bf, but am nervous about the change to something totally new!

HawkeyeJulz

We use enfamil newborn

1. Where have you found the best prices on formula? Amazon subscribe and save or Costco

2.  Do you use one kind only, or switch based on price or freebies? Only one kind, it's not good to switch constantly

3.  Anyone ever used store brand (specifically Target up&up?) nope

4.  Any other tips for making ff easier?  Get a fformal dispenser (munchkin makes them sold at target and amazon) for travel and/or at home, sign up for formula manufacturers formula checks (just go to their website and sign up) 

liberty95

love2b_mrst:

1. Where have you found the best prices on formula? From what I have seen, Target and Walmart are the cheapest and similarly priced (around me the difference is just pennies)

2.  Do you use one kind only, or switch based on price or freebies?

Our pedi gave us the okay to switch but we have stuck with Similac Advance

3.  Anyone ever used store brand (specifically Target up&up?)

I have so many coupons that its cheaper for me to buy Similac, but if the coupons run out I would get store brand, its the same stuff, just a different label.  Many moms here use Target, Walmart and Costco brand with no problem!

4.  Any other tips for making ff easier?  I'm at peace with being done bf, but am nervous about the change to something totally new!

I buy the 2oz  or 8oz ready to feed bottles for my diaper bag so I can give them to DS when we are out without having to worry about mixing powder or bringing a cooler or anything.  Sure, that type of packaging is pricier, but again, with a coupon it is worth the convenience for me.

SrhA1984

the cheapest i have found is sams club brand, i think it was almost half the price per ounce and is equal to enfamil, also up and up is relatively cheap. per our pediatrician, store brands should be equal to their name brand equivalent. as far as tips go, we buy the single serve packets of formula and a bottle of water for the diaper bag, it makes mixing on the go very easy and is cheaper than the premade formula.

SrhA1984

also in regards to staying with the same brand vs. switching, it really depends on your baby, some babies like ava have.no.issues switching between formula while other babies wi.have some sort of reaction such as spitting up more or just plain refuse a different brand. i would suggest trying the smallest cans first to make sure your baby will drink it and does not have any reaction to it.

MrsLindinger0905

I use Target brand and so far that's the best price I've found. There's been two instances where we've been out of town and didn't pack enough formula and I bought the same type of formula but similac brand, and she had no issues switching. I say as long as you stick with the same type, like gentle or soy, and don't change it every time you buy a new tub that might be ok. Like PP said it mostly depends on the baby.

lancyjo

1. Where have you found the best prices on formula? We buy at Wamart, because we live in Podunk and its an hour drive to stores like Sam's. We use the Parent's Choice brand.

2.nbsp; Do you use one kind only, or switch based on price or freebies? We only use one kind. Switching around a lot can upset baby's belly. Once you find a kind that works, stick with it.

3.nbsp; Anyone ever used store brand specifically Target upamp;up? Haven't tried Target [see number 1] We use the Parent's Choice version of Similac Advance. Aria does well on it.

4.nbsp; Any other tips for making ff easier? I think ff is easier than bf. The best tip I have? Get baby used to lukewarm/room temp formula. This way, you don't have to warm bottles. This has made motn feedings so much easier! I just fill a bottle with the right amount of water, and a formula dispenser with the right amount of powder and sit it on my nightstand. When Aria wakes, I just shake it up on my way to her room. Easy!

jmccall79

My pedi said it's ok to switch back and forth between brands, as long as baby tolerates it. Well, of course my LO didn't so we use Enfamil. The only place I've found it to be way more expensive than every where else is Walgreens...Target, Walmart, Kroger, Publix are all about the same.  Publix will send out their coupons every now and then and it'll have formula coupons in it if you sign up for their baby program.  I've not tried a "store" brand because I'm afraid to "fix something, that isn't broken". 

frasey

love2b_mrst:

I am transitioning from bf to ff.  I am dropping a feeding a week, and Mabrey seems to be doing fine.  I have been able to use samples and donations from friends, but I will be needing to buy formula soon.  A couple questions:

1. Where have you found the best prices on formula? Walmart, especially if you have coupons and/or cheques depending on the brand. 

2.  Do you use one kind only, or switch based on price or freebies? We use only 1 brand.

3.  Anyone ever used store brand (specifically Target up&up?) I havent, but I know that many people have. 

4.  Any other tips for making ff easier?  I'm at peace with being done bf, but am nervous about the change to something totally new! No need to buy a formula dispenser - we just use a small tupperware container with a scoop from an other can of formula. Also, yeah, we have never gotten DD used to warm formula, just room temp or even cold. Makes mixing on the go MUCH easier. Powder is way cheaper than the ready-to-feed bottles, so we've never bought those. Sign up for all the brands samples, and sign your close friends and family up too. Then trade the brands you don't use (or just use them!) on Craigslist/kijiji for the brand you do use. This is what I do, and I've never bought formula at the store, ever!