Not breastfeeding-Thoughts on formula

butterfly99ad · August 2011

So, DH and I have decided that I'm not going to breast feed (I'm sure I will get slack from many people). This is personal decision and one that works best for us. I wondered if anyone has any suggestions on formula. I have been doing a lot of research and I'm trying to determine if one is better than the other. If you have any suggestions on formula I would appreciate it Smile

I'm sure many of you will suggest breast feeding but I just need suggestions on formula.

SailorGray · August 2011

I would sign up for the freebies. Your LO may like some and not others and this way you could test them out. Maybe someone can provide some links to where the freebies are....good luck and don't worry about your decision. BF isn't for everyone!

ETA: we switched DS to formula at 9 months and always just used the generic stuff from Target, Kmart, etc.

HeyJune · August 2011

My pediatrician said the generic/store brand (Target, BabiesRUs) and the big brand names (Similac, Enfamil) are essentially the same thing. It's more about what your baby likes and will tolerate. We used Similac Advance because we had a lot of coupons for it in the beginning, but at $22.50 every 6 days, the price really started to add up. If I have to use formula again, I will probably use Target Up & Up formula.

AggieGrl · August 2011

I would suggest starting with generic regular milk-based formula. If your LO seems to have a problem (gas, constipation, etc.) then you can start doing some trial feedings of more specialized formulas (Gerber Good Start, lactose-free sensitive, etc.) after consulting with your pedi.

Most of the generic formulas are manufactured by PBM and are the same, including the ones at Target and Walmart.

+diana82+ · August 2011

Definitely sign up for freebies. We used similac initially last time because that's what the hospital started us on - eventually I switched to costco's generic brand. Odds are we will switch sooner this time to either that or Up&Up as long as this LO isn't picky.

Ready4life · August 2011

Congrats on making a decision that works for you! I also formula feed and have no regrets. It was the best thing for our family. You will probably get some people who have their opinions. My opinion is that it's a personal choice and I don't judge anyone who breastfeeds, so I would just like the same respect.

With # 1 we used enfamil for a couple months, then switched to Kirkland (Costco brand which has DHA in it as well and is less expensive). It worked well with DD, so we will try the same thing with this one. When DD was born, they gave us the option of enfamil or similac. So you might want to stick with what seems to work in the hospital.

TeacherVicky · August 2011

I obviously don't know much about FF, but I do remember when my sister started with her twins, she went through a lot of different kinds until she found one that the girls tolerated well and that they liked.

So I would echo PP and say try out samples to see which works best and not to run out and buy a huge supply of one kind. Every baby is different and what your friend may recommend may not work for your LO.

GL!

sam&tm · August 2011

I also don't plan to breastfeed- I just don't think it's for me however, I may decide to give it a shot while in the hospital.....we'll see.

I've been doing a lot of research and would like to use organic formula- have you looked into any of those?

Where do you get the freebies/samples from? I signed up from a couple of sites and have not received any yet.

memali26 · August 2011

We started with Similac because we had several free cans of it (I had planned on BFing, it didn't work out). After about 2 months we switched to Target Up&Up and had no problems. We'll probably stick with whatever they start her on in the hospital for 3 or 4 weeks this time then switch to Target again as long as she has no issues.

MrsClark8109 · August 2011

I'd start with the hospital samples and sign up for freebies/coupons.

If you are concerned about the cost and want to start buying early to start spreading out the budget I would just buy some gift cards and put them in the formula cabinet. I wouldnt stock up on any 1 brand until you know what LO will tolerate...

leftynat · August 2011

We used Nestle Good Start with both of my children. Walmart puts it on sale a fair bit and I will use it again for our 3 baby.

junebugrbig · August 2011

We started DS on regular Enfamil (what they gave us in the hospital) and switched to Enfamil Gentlease after he was having gas problems...then switched to the Sam's club generic version. I checked all the ingredients and it was exactly the same.

Gen & Joel · August 2011

I breastfed for 5 months and then switched Lo to similac advance he had no issues with it at all.

you can sign up for coupons and e-mails at similac strong moms and they will send you coupon checks and 1 or 2 free samples.

ASmallWonder · August 2011

I exclusively FF'd and had no issues. I want to caution you about the whole "try all the samples" advice. Generally you'll get one sample can from each company and that's not going to last you enough to know if that's the right formula for your LO. You might end up thinking s/he isn't tolerating ANY of them when in reality it could just be that his/her system isn't tolerating the switching, kwim? I echo the advice of going generic. It's FDA regulated and much cheaper so maybe focus on one generic you'd like to use and try it for several weeks and then switch if there's an issue. GL!

romanceondemand · August 2011

I believe formula has to be the same across the board according to FDA regulations. I could be wrong on that since I haven't actually looked into it. I don't want to formula feed but if I have to, I like the tip to start with generic. Formula is crazy expensive, might as well save how you can.

kenandlaura06 · August 2011

I BF for 5 months and then switched to formula. We used generic (BRU brand) and it worked out great for us (plus I got it for about $10-$12 per can).

AggieGrl · August 2011

elmoali:
I want to caution you about the whole "try all the samples" advice. Generally you'll get one sample can from each company and that's not going to last you enough to know if that's the right formula for your LO. You might end up thinking s/he isn't tolerating ANY of them when in reality it could just be that his/her system isn't tolerating the switching, kwim?

This! Those little sample cans aren't going to give you a good indication of how well your LO is tolerating the formula.

Brand name coupons are great and all, but they rarely bring the cost lower than buying large bulk containers of generic formula. Sign up for the formula checks, then trade them for other things on the swap spot board.

vanessrose · August 2011

depends on your LO but I wouldnt try a bunch...just one if that agrees with the baby fine..if not then try another.

I personally if I were gonna use formula would use some sorta of organic one.

Lisa9926 · August 2011

Sign up for a bunch of samples (or buy really small containers) and see what works best on your baby. The hospital will also probably give you a bunch of samples as well (ours did). Our baby had a lot of gas at first and what worked best for her was the Enfamil Gentlease. Then when she got to be about 4 months old we switched her to the Enfamil Infant. Enfamil works great for me because they have it at Costco for cheap!

plroland88 · August 2011

awww im a little sad but its your decision. i would try different brands samples and see which one works best for your baby. but i would start with the organic ones. it will be easier on the little tummy.

SFAug07 · August 2011

I FF and will do so with this baby as well. We used Nestle/Gerber Good Start and it was great.

SailorGray · August 2011

RachaelA:

plroland88:
awww im a little sad but its your decision. i would try different brands samples and see which one works best for your baby. but i would start with the organic ones. it will be easier on the little tummy.

was this even necessary to say?

I love how there can be 20 responses with no judgment and then someone needs to ruin that.

OP, I'm planning on using generic as well to save money (probably Costco's Kirkland brand). I did request all the samples and coupons and haven't gotten anything yet (anyone know when they come?).

I know! There always has to be one...

When it comes to the freebies, the samples I got in the mail were quite large and I got a few a of the same kind. You could also check out the Swap Spot board on here b/c I think some of the moms trade coupons and samples. I am all about generic, though!

xtencornfield · August 2011

DS had a sensitive and gassy stomach so we ended up using Gerber Good Start Gentle. Worked great for us and we plan on using it for #2.

However, I would start with a generic. And I agree with pp's that it takes more than a sample can to see if something works or not.

+diana82+ · August 2011

plroland88:
awww im a little sad but its your decision. i would try different brands samples and see which one works best for your baby. but i would start with the organic ones. it will be easier on the little tummy.

You're kind of an ass.

beedawn · August 2011

My plan is to use the brand the hospital gives me and if LO tolerates that fine I will switch to the comparable store brand, probably Target Up & Up. I think it will really depend on if your LO is sensitive or not. I signed up with all the formula companies so I can get coupons and free samples.

birdnerd2 · August 2011

I don't know if this would be applicable for you but I know when we interviewed daycares that some stated that they supplied formula as part of their tuition but only one brand (ie: Similiac Advanced) and that if LO used a different brand we would have to supply it. I wouldn't make my decision solely on that, but it would be a huge money saver if we could use the same formula.

mrsjenniferg2010 · August 2011

We used Good Start and then switched to BRU. It was way cheaper and DS stopped spitting up with it.

justrachet · August 2011

We made our decision based on what DS1 could digest best.

I had samples of Similac from the hospital, which we used first, and Enfamil from a friend. He seemed constipated on the Enfamil, so we went back to Similac for a while. He had a lot of gas, though, so I tried out Good Start, which he tolerated best. Once he was older, I tried to transition him to a store brand that was comparable to Similac, but it upset his tummy. We stuck with Good Start.

This time, I want to try Target Up&Up. It's comparable to Enfamil, but so much cheaper. If LO doesn't tolerate it well, we'll probably go back to Good Start.

Temp574971250006741 · August 2011

I tried BF DD and failed. We went through several brands before we found one she liked and could tolerate with her horrible reflux. Pedi told us the generic version was just fine and she did great on it. It was the Target version of Gentlease.

I am going to try to BF again but will see what happens. I second signing up for free samples.

erbear · August 2011

plroland88:
awww im a little sad but its your decision. i would try different brands samples and see which one works best for your baby. but i would start with the organic ones. it will be easier on the little tummy.

STFU. (and I'm not saying that b.c I FF...I BFed DD1 to 17 months and am still going strong with this one). Not necessary.

OP: everyone's given great advice. I'll say my older DD was a little sensitive to some formulas (we started supplementing around 8 months when my work schedule changed) so don't stock up on any one brand just yet.

LadyLissame · August 2011

From the 0-3 month board. I breastfeed and supplement with formula.

We use Enfamil and DS never has a problem going between breastmilk and formula.

I definitely agree with signing up for the free samples and coupons. sign up for several types too. On the Babies 0-3 month board we trade the formula checks they send out. I use Enfamil, but I signed up for Similac and Gerber as well and I trade them for Enfamil.

Also, ask your hospital for any samples. We got a bag as we left with Enfamil samples.

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