s/o Formula -- generic vs. brand

OhSewCrafty

I remember learning this when I was pregnant with DS and thought I planned to breastfeed, it was helpful information anyway.

A lot of times, there is a distinct difference between store brand and name brand (like breakfast cereal for instance), but with baby formula it is, by law, the exact same thing. In fact, Enfamil lost a law suit a few years ago against PBM Products (makes generic formula for Target, WalMart, Kroger, and others) because Enfamil claimed it was nutritionally superior and it was proven that they were exactly the same. 

There are definitely situations where there isn't a generic option (Nutramigen, NeoSure, etc.) but if your baby doesn't need a hypoallergenic or high calorie formula, don't waste your money!

https://www.storebrandformula.com/

Trish&Pete07

Well said!! I had the same experience when I had DD1. A lot of people made me feel like a bad mom because I was buying the generic brand instead of Good Start or Enfamil, until I showed them that the labels and they were exactly the same. When I was pg with DD2 our local grocery store had a sale on their particular brand of formula (2 canisters of formula 1kg each for $20) and I totally stocked up. I think I bought 12 or 14 canisters. Saved a TON of money and when I compared the label to Heinz (that I got as a freebie) it was EXACTLY the same!!! 

Good point for FTMs to know! Great info! 

OhSewCrafty

Trish&Pete07:

Well said!! I had the same experience when I had DD1. A lot of people made me feel like a bad mom because I was buying the generic brand instead of Good Start or Enfamil, until I showed them that the labels and they were exactly the same. When I was pg with DD2 our local grocery store had a sale on their particular brand of formula (2 canisters of formula 1kg each for $20) and I totally stocked up. I think I bought 12 or 14 canisters. Saved a TON of money and when I compared the label to Heinz (that I got as a freebie) it was EXACTLY the same!!! 

Good point for FTMs to know! Great info! 

Heck yes! Once we moved to formula and I realized Charlie did well with Similac, you bet your butt I switched to Up & Up. 300oz for $20? Um, thank you! Haha

MsAmeera25

This is good info! Thank you!

JSS1002

Oh hallelujah, it just occured to me that if necessary, I can use my employee discount for formula at Target.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

I am sure this information will come in handy to a lot of the April Mama's. Thank you for sharing.

mypalbabs

Trish&Pete07:

Well said!! I had the same experience when I had DD1. A lot of people made me feel like a bad mom because I was buying the generic brand instead of Good Start or Enfamil, until I showed them that the labels and they were exactly the same. When I was pg with DD2 our local grocery store had a sale on their particular brand of formula (2 canisters of formula 1kg each for $20) and I totally stocked up. I think I bought 12 or 14 canisters. Saved a TON of money and when I compared the label to Heinz (that I got as a freebie) it was EXACTLY the same!!! 

Good point for FTMs to know! Great info! 

lol that people think that Gerber Good Start is especially high-quality anything.

(that's not a dig at formula... it's a vague, general dig at Gerber stuff, which is kind of cheap.  Except the formula, which is the exact same as every other formula, hence the post.)

lifesadance

When BFing didn't go as planned, I was all over the Sam's Club generic.  I don't remember how many oz worth but it was a HUGE canister (like 2 times the size of the regular canisters) for around $20.  Suh-weet!

mrhargr

Thanks so much for this info! I'm planning on BFing/pumping but you never know if that will work out or not. I had no idea that the formula was all the same.