- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
3rd Trimester
pupluv0410
member
Choosing Formula
pupluv0410
member
I am not sure how to decide which formula to use. I know a lot will depend on the baby but I would like to go into this with at least an idea. How did u choose ur formula, what did u pick and why? Thanks.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Choosing Formula
We chose Gerber Goodstart Gentle with DS, and it worked for us. The reason I chose Gerber is because it is made of whey protein and the proteins are broken down a little more than some of the other formulas, making it easier to digest. I also liked it because it had a consistency of breastmilk, it was very smooth and never "bubbled" or "foamed" up when I mixed a pitcher or made a bottle, my pediatrician also said it was a great choice. That being said, when we were in the hospital in the beginning, we used the Enfamil nursettes and he did well on that, but as far as powder, he never had anything other than Gerber.
Most of the major brands' "regular" formulas are about the same if you read the ingredients, and the generic versions of those brands sold at grocery stores or chain stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger, etc are also about the same if you read the ingredients. The best formula is the one that works for your baby and your budget. Most companies offer sensitive, soy, etc. versions if your little one has issues with the regular formula.
My little one took Similac and the generic version of it very well. She was breastfed and formula fed as a supplement for her whole first year.
Big companies like Similac and Enfamil spend big bucks to be the formula your hospital offers you since research shows that people tend to stick with what they used at first if they have no issues with it. They also spend a lot on direct mail marketing so you'll receive coupons and samples from Similac, Enfamil, and Gerber. My pediatrician recommends trying one of the brands at first (since you typically get samples of them) to see what your baby likes, then going with the generic/off brand version of it. I always sign up for the free samples from the larger companies, and they send a large box of formula and $5 off coupons in the last month of pregnancy.
Are you ready to get off your soapbox now so the rest of us can discuss this like adults?
DS used the off brand of Enfamil once his tummy issues were over. He used Similac Alimentum when he was younger because he had some serious tummy issues.
DD has not had formula yet and most likely will not ever need it but will most likely get the generic enfamil from Costco (KS brand) if she needs to supplement later on. .
What is best for a baby is being breastfed. So in choosing formula when you don't have to, you are only choosing what is "best" for yourself.
I'm so glad you know all of these people's medical histories so well that you are able to make an informed decision about whether or not they chose to breastfeed for no reason whatsoever. Since you clearly have never given formula to your children maybe this isn't the best thread for you to be responding to since it's about choosing formula.
I know the original poster has no medical problems, she has previously posted about simply not wanting to breastfeed.
Also, don't feed your innocent baby corn syrup and chemicals.
She didn't ASK about breastfeeding did she?? Nope, she didn't. She asked about formula....
I'm all for breastfeeding, but forcing your opinion on someone rubs people the wrong way...
ETA: Actually answering question.
We tried Similac with DS but it gave him gas and switched to Enfamil. It all really depends on what the baby likes and agrees with them.
After I had supply issues with both of my DDs, We chose to use Similac's Organic Formula and then switched to the Parent's Choice Organic formula just to save a few bucks since it was basically the same as Similac.
We try to stay away from as much corn syrup and other artificial ingredients as we can as a family so that is what worked for us and our budget.
'Til He returns, or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I stand.
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
Chiming in. In the hospital, DS was screaming he was so hungry so we gave him the nursette of Enfamil they had.
It took 5 days for my milk to come in, but I figured I would supplement anyways. Once we got home I had a sample of Similac from the OB office, Enfamil, and Gerber. We tried each one. Never dawned on me that we probably aren't supposed to do that. This was at the same time that Similac had been recalled so we went to Gerber and Enfamil. He did fine on either one, but after a few weeks on Enfamil he started getting gassy so we went to the Gentlease version, but it still didn't work for us so we went back to Similac. That worked great and he had regular BMs then too.
Ahh the breastfeeding comment above is SO RUDE!
To answer your question about formula, I have been stocking up on all the samples that have been sent to me (and I have signed up to get them from different companies) and will start on what the hospital gives the baby and then go from there, like others have said.. each baby is different and keep trying till you find what works for you.
if you have any friends who have had babies recently they usually have samples that they didn't use and are willing to pass along.
7lbs 13oz 20 inches long
Wrangling babies since 2010
Now that I think about it, I think we used some of the GoodStart for DD2 also. Man its hard to remember this stuff!! lol
Pretty much you just try whatever and see what works for you and baby. ;o)
'Til He returns, or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I stand.
This. We started with regular Enfamil, but the doc recommended switching to the gentle formula due to DS spitting up a ton and being colichy. After Enfamil Gentlease worked, we tried the Target brand Up & Up and it worked great. Saved us a ton of $$ too. Target has good generics of many of the different types of formulas.
After some research, we chose to start with Similac. After a few weeks we found out that DS had awful reflux, so we did a combo of Similac Sensitive (Ready to Feed only) along with meds. When DD was born, we just started with Similac Sensitive RTF from the beginning and it was perfect.
With this baby, I will be trying to breastfeed (I couldn't with the other two) but if it doesn't work out or I stop at 6 months or whenever, I will be using Similac Sensitive RTF again.
GL to you!
Carter Robert 7.18.08 | Brynn Sophia 5.24.10 | Reid Joseph 9.10.12 | Emerson Mae 1.27.14
LOLOLOL @ this!
To this, I say, become informed about what formula is before you speak. Unless by "corn syrup and chemicals" you mean powdered milk and vitamins.
Here are the main ingredients in Similac Advance, one of the best selling formulas. Ingredients are similar in most other regular formulas: Nonfat Milk, Lactose, High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, Whey Protein Concentrate. The rest of the ingredients, which make up 2% of the formula, are vitamins and nutrients.
Your response was unnecessary and rude. Many of us have medical reasons for choosing formula, and NONE of us should have to justify to random strangers on the internet what we choose to feed our children. I have an endocrine disorder that prevents me from producing enough milk. I still breastfed and pumped to increase my supply for 15 months. I had to use formula so my baby wouldn't starve. I felt terrible about it because of people like you who don't understand that sometimes formula is the only choice. I'll never understand why people get on a soapbox about something they know nothing about. The original poster asked about formula, not breastfeeding.
Wow. This wasn't the point of her post, nor is it any of your business how she chooses to feed her baby.
ETA: we tired a few before we landed on one. It is all about what your baby will take to really & how well they can handle whatever you choose. Similac Advance is what we landed on in the end.
Thank you all for your responses! Since I am a FTM I want to go into this as informed as possible. I greatly appreciate your input
I was nervous about supplementing with formula b/c DS1 had been EBF for 6 months, so we started with Gerber Good Start Gentle. I had heard from a ton of moms that Gerber had the consistency closest to breastmilk, so it was the best choice for BF babies. In the end, we eventually started using whatever was on sale (DS1 was cool about switching brands regularly), but Gerber always remained his favorite. Similac was his least favorite and I did notice it was the thickest and seemed to bubble the most. Enfamil was in the middle!