Bottle Feeding?

BillieB123 · May 2011

I've been browsing formula options for newborns and was just curious which brand has seemed to be the best choice. I made the decision very early on not to breastfeed so please no responses on that (it's a whole other debate). Any other mothers not able to bf or choose not to? Just curious which formula seems to break the sensus and any experience or tips with bottle feeding would be great! Thanks

rssnlvr · May 2011

My FF friends all say that generic is exactly the same as name brand but a fraction of the cost.

memali26 · May 2011

I tried to breastfeed but was not able. We started with Similac formula because the pedi supplied us with several free samples. She was on that for about a month while I did some research into generics. I discovered generics are just as highly regulated and contain the same nutrients in the proper amounts, and they are so much cheaper. So, we switched to Target Up&Up formula. DD was on that until 12 months, and did great. I really recommend checking out generics, they will save you a ton of money.

Gummybear · May 2011

I worked for a pharmaceutical company that manufactures formula. The brand is a top seller everywhere else in the world, specifically in the Asia-Pacific region, but here in the US, it is not sold as a branded product, rather it is sold generic at several extremely large stores and their "store brand". It's a very high-quality product. Formula is regulated by the FDA so they are all going to be pretty much the same. Def. try the generics.

MommaA117 · May 2011

I've heard Target's up&up is just as good but MUCH cheaper. On another note go here and sign up and you will get a whole free sample can of Similac to try. Mine came in in 2 days! I blan to BF but got it for backup...

crystal959 · May 2011

With DD we used Good Start Natural Cultures, I think it's called Protect Plus now. It's in a green can. Its what my pediatricians office had and the hospital gave us as well.

jamlsull · May 2011

I will also be FF. We got samples of the ready to feed Similac Advanced bottles, plus I found a deal mentioned on here a couple months ago for a case of like 48 of those same things for only $10. So I'm planning on using those first (or saving for at night) & then switching to the powder. But I will also probably go generic, most likely the Target kind.

itsmevkb · May 2011

I've used the Target brand that comes with the purple writing. It is exactly the same as the Enfamil Gentlease which supposedly makes babies less gassy.

I would not pay all the extra money for the name brand stuff, it adds up very quickly, and the generics are essentially the same.

WhatJustHappened · May 2011

I used Enfamil with my son. Rarely bought a can of formula without a coupon but still, it's expensive. I am taking my son for his well visit at the end of the month and was going to mention formula for my June baby then to see what their take was on generics. Does anyone do a price comparison ounce to ounce between any of the name brands and the generics? Would be interesting to see.

mbritto4 · May 2011

I'd not stock pile any brand until you see how LO takes to it. When I switched to formula I tried 2 varieties of similac and 2 of enfamil before I found a type she digested well. I asked in my hospital what they recommend and the nurses said they just give out whatever the drug reps have left, unless a new ff mom has a particular brand she requests.

rena5498 · May 2011

I used Good start but you really wont know what works for your baby until they try it because of gas issues and etc..Its like trial and error. In the hospital my son had enfamil but it was too expensive and good start was cheaper so we tried and kept him on goodstart and he didnt have a problem with either brand.

memali26 · May 2011

WhatJustHappened:
I used Enfamil with my son. Rarely bought a can of formula without a coupon but still, it's expensive. I am taking my son for his well visit at the end of the month and was going to mention formula for my June baby then to see what their take was on generics. Does anyone do a price comparison ounce to ounce between any of the name brands and the generics? Would be interesting to see.

I don't have an oz to oz comparison, but I do remember that a 24ish oz can of Similac costs us $23. A 40ish oz can of the comparable Target brand cost us $18. A very big difference!

TiffaniMay · May 2011

I plan on breastfeeding, but if that doesn't work out, I'm using Similac at first, only because I got two huge containers as free samples. After that, I'll probably switch to generic as I hear they are exactly the same as the name brands.

RavenandJosh · May 2011

I am also using formula and don't worry i completely understand what you mean about no comments on breastfeeding! People like to make their thoughts very well known. As for the formula, definitely sign up for the sample of similac, they sent me a large can and a 12 oz can for free! I will most likely stick with the Target brand though because I have heard how good it is. It is going to be a trail and error game with your LO but hopefully you can stay within the same Brand, just a different type.

Tikat · May 2011

We used generics for DD and did great with them. I started out on Similac Gentlease when I had trouble pumping enough milk for her - and then switched her to the Berkley and Jensen Brand from BJ's which is actually made by the same company as any other generic formula - so even if you run out in the middle of the night you need not treck to BJ's - as Target's Brand, Walmart, CVS all have the same manufacturer.

buckeyeki · May 2011

Sign up with Similac, Enfamil, and Gerber and you'll receive samples and/or formula checks just before/once/after the baby arrives. You can usually swap the formula checks with others for your brand, there's posts on the baby boards requesting swaps all the time. I just gave my extras away to friends.

Oh, and we started with Similac, tried every type before going to Similac Alimentum (at a whopping $25 per small can!). After a few months we tried Good Start Gentle Plus (orange can) and she did great with it. So, if your baby acts fussy with one kind/brand, try another. Our pedi pushed Similac products on us and that sort of irratates me now, because I don't think she really needed the expensive formula (and we had a high deductible plan so insurance was of no help).

Oh, and don't spend a lot of money stocking up on any particular brand until you know what works for your baby.