Formula feeders- powder or ready-to-use?

letal316 · July 2014

DD is almost 10wks and we have been feeding her Similac Advance ready-to-use since the hospital, I'm wondering for the other formula feeders out there if you're still using ready-to-use or if you've switched to powder? If you've switched, did you notice any transition in your LO from the ready-to-use?

lauralou3x3 · July 2014

I use powder. She didn't seem to notice but I switched her at about 1 week old. We've also had a hard time finding a formula fit but finally found one.

amroke · July 2014

My son always hated ready made and would only drink it if it was made from powder. We have only ever given my daughter powder.

elizabe519 · July 2014

We use both, mainly powder because of the cost, but premade when we need to if we are out and about and it's easier. I've never had any issues switching back and forth.

chillypenguin · July 2014

We used ready to feed for about 2 weeks, only because my mom bought it for us as a convenience. She has been on powder ever since. In my experience, the only difference we have had is the ready to feed stains easier than the powder does.

talkthewholetime · July 2014

elizabe519 said:

We use both, mainly powder because of the cost, but premade when we need to if we are out and about and it's easier. I've never had any issues switching back and forth.

This for us too. She has no problems with either. I don't know that I would by the ready to use - I just have a lot of samples.

jenb_99 · July 2014

We gave DS both at first bc we had so many samples, but after the premixed ones ran out we were exclusively powder.

ksyknelvr73 · July 2014

Powder is cheaper so we are using that now. I have a formula mixing pitcher that I love that helps keep all the bubbles out too.

letal316 · July 2014

What type of water does everyone use to mix the formula (ie- tap, filtered, bottled, etc). I've heard so many conflicting opinions on what to use, I think that's partly why we have just stayed away from powder but I would like to try it, especially given that you all seem to have no troubles switching back and forth.

elizabe519 · July 2014

I just use tap water... We have city water at home but my parents have well water and LO has had many bottles made there too.

jenb_99 · July 2014

@letal316‌ Tap water, except when we visited family in a town that was under a boiling notice. That weekend we used bottled drinking water.

jjtyler · July 2014

We use ready to feed. Always have. I was always concerned about mixing it wrong.

chillypenguin · July 2014

letal316 said:

What type of water does everyone use to mix the formula (ie- tap, filtered, bottled, etc). I've heard so many conflicting opinions on what to use, I think that's partly why we have just stayed away from powder but I would like to try it, especially given that you all seem to have no troubles switching back and forth.

We buy the gallons of nursery water. It's $1 per gallon. For me, it's convenient and always at room temperature so I don't have to worry about warming bottles.

cnbean · July 2014

We've used powdered formula from the get go (I'm to cheap to buy pre-mixed). And I've never used anything but tap water for either of my kids bottles. Unless we were somewhere that had really nasty tap water I personally wouldn't think twice about it.

RachelCA29 · July 2014

We use ready-to-feed, but we only supplement about 2-4 ounce a day, so the cost is minimal.

We were sent home from the hospital with a small pack of Enfamil A+ ready to feed bottles (6, 2 oz bottles). We didn't really need to use it that much, so we had it sitting in our cupboard for a bit. We used in sporadically when BFing wasn't going well and there was no pumped bottles. I switched to EPing and some days he just eats more than I pump. We're using Simalac Advanced now because we had a small case of those ready-to-feed bottles we got as a free sample. He does well with it and we got a lot of great Simalac coupons, so we've never paid full price for it. I love the little 2 oz bottles for the diaper bag as a back-up to bringing a pumped bottle (in case we get stuck out longer than we expect, etc.). I always have one of those in the bag.

For at home supplementing we use the larger cans that last 48 hours in the fridge. It's awesome when we open a new can because there is no need to warm it.

The coupons and the fact that we only supplement are mostly why using the ready-to-feed doesn't cost us that much, but we are planning to use the powder once he is 3 months old, because I'm sure the coupon gravy train will end.

We're waiting for 3 months because at the hospital the nurses told us powdered formula isn't sterile so we should wait until he is 3 months to start using that. They said the ready to feed or the concentrates stuff was fine (the nurse suggested concentrate if we were going to go full time with formula because it's less expensive).

Obviously this 3 month rule for powdered formula is not really true. As this, and many other formula threads show, lots of babies get powdered formula from birth and do great with it, no problems. But since the nurse told me that, it's in my head, so I have to follow that "rule". I will still probably buy small packs of the ready-to-feed bottles for convenience, but for money-savings we will be switching to powder at the 3 month mark for at home use.

Jennyinheaven · July 2014

elizabe519 said:
We use both, mainly powder because of the cost, but premade when we need to if we are out and about and it's easier. I've never had any issues switching back and forth.

This

DBonfante · July 2014

I have been using powder since week 1 (when I switched from nursing). I also use filtered water such as gallons of Poland Spring to fill the bottles. I wouldn't drink from the tap and I wouldn't want LO to either. I live in NY.

ajsweeton · July 2014

elizabe519 said:
We use both, mainly powder because of the cost, but premade when we need to if we are out and about and it's easier. I've never had any issues switching back and forth.

This is what we do as well. I also mix up formula in a dr browns pitcher for about 1/2 the days feedings to save time. I just keep it in the fridge. We've found it helps with gas and spit up because it keeps the bubbles down.

lrmrtn · July 2014

Jennyinheaven said:

elizabe519 said:
We use both, mainly powder because of the cost, but premade when we need to if we are out and about and it's easier. I've never had any issues switching back and forth.
This

Same here. We use filtered water from the fridge.

Helmink0804 · July 2014

We use both but mainly powder with tap water. We've never noticed a difference switching back and fourth.

theoryofwhat · July 2014

We used ready to use until she was 2w, then switched to powder to be more cost effective. She did just as well with the powder. We switched to concentrate from powder just recently, which leaves my kitchen looking less like a scene from Scarface. So far she's doing very well.
As for water, we use Ozarka because it was recommended by our pedi.

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