Healthiest brand of baby formula to have on hand for safety

winterviolethope · January 2016

I'm planning on breastfeeding. I took a class, read the books and it's the thing stressing me out the most. I really want to make it work and I know people far less prepared than me do make it work... But, I'm scared nonetheless. So, I want to have a thing of formula on hand just in case anything goes wrong, the baby is crying (and probably me too, who am I kidding?) and needs to be fed.
It's probably more of a mental thing for me, and I'm hoping to never have to break it out. What's the best brand you would recommend? A lactation consultant I met with told me not to get the powder but the liquid kind. But, I also want to know what brand people like. I don't care how much it costs- I want the absolute best.

wisco29 · January 2016

Whichever one baby likes. The different kids react differently with each child. Some babies need gerber, some need enfamil and a certain kind to not spit up or have a reaction.

We used enfamil gentle ease for our supplement with nursing.
Sign up for samples and have a couple of each on hand to try.

winterviolethope · January 2016

I'm not planning on supplementing. I'm hoping to never use it but you know what they say about the beat laid plans lol. Samples are a really good idea- thanks. I have a couple of samples so far but I worried it was the cheap stuff and I think it's powder and my lactation consultant warned us against it because she said it wasn't guaranteed to be sterile or something.

I want to have something on hand to make sure I have something healthy and recommended so we don't get stuck with my husband running to the nearest bodega and get stuck having to buy something junky in the middle of the night.
How's earth's best organic?

Shatzegirl · January 2016

If I were to use formula, I'd probably use Earth's Best. I think Honest makes formula that I've been meaning to look into. Baby's Only has good reviews on Amazon, too.

Achae · January 2016

All formulas will be safe for your baby unless you live in say China and have their sub standard manufacturing to worry about.
But as pp said, baby may not like or their stomach may not agree with a type or brand.

salixjoy38 · January 2016

I'm planning on getting some formula to have on hand for in case of emergencies (west coaster here so earthquake kits are a thing). I guess I will just have to make some guesses or buy a few different brands to throw in there.

cMichelle0423 · January 2016

Regardless of what formula you buy, your baby may have issues with it. It really doesn't matter.

Mamacat316 · January 2016

Don't stress! You will be fine as long as you get plenty of help. I'd research lactation consultants and fine local LLL chapters just in case. I felt the same when I had my son and bought some formula "just in case" but we never opened it. It was Holle, which is an organic Swiss brand and very popular here.

sheslikeasunburn · January 2016

A lot of people have recommended Nutramigen to me, so that is what we have on hand as back up in addition to some other samples.

brushesnbrunch · January 2016

As PP have said, you won't really know what will work for your child without some experimentation. It's best to have a few different brands/types on hand in case your child can't tolerate it.

summererdvig · January 2016

I won't be able to breast feed my LO so I did a lot of research when it came to formula. Most moms I know have suggested similac. Assuming it agrees with her, and she likes it, I intend to use the non-GMO similac.

But, as PPs have said it all depends on baby. My friend had to use a soy formula due to her sons milk allergy. I wouldn't worry too much about having some on hand yet. If latching poses an issue I'm sure your dr or lactation consultant can recommend what's best at that time in your baby's development. Enfamil, for example, has stages. So you'd have to stock up on newborn and infant depending on if/when you had an issue with BF.

I would Try to stay positive and hold off on getting any formula until a problem arises. You never know, it might not ever happen!!! :-)

Life is Exciting · January 2016

I don't think you need to worry about keeping any on hand. If you're in the U.S., your hospital will have formula for the baby in case you have trouble breastfeeding. Ours had a few different types for us to choose from.

My son had failure to thrive, so I ended up needing to supplement with a little bit of formula in the beginning. I chose Similac over Enfamil because of the ingredients label. Enfamil's first ingredient was corn syrup whereas Similac's first ingredient was nonfat milk. If I have to supplement this time, I'll probably look into some organic brands too.

g8trkim · January 2016

I've never heard of the liquid vs. powder issue. That's sounds a little questionable. I would just use whatever sample you have if you're in a pinch. I got samples from the OB and at the hospital. Usually the samples you get are Enfamil or Similac as they are the most popular brands. We used Enfamil with DS and Gerber with DD and liked them both, but our kids were pretty easy as far as how they reacted to foods and such. They also didn't need them until 6 months ago, so I think their tummies were stronger. Anyone I've ever known who uses liquid or other pricey formulas is because baby was sensitive to the standard ones. Cheap or expensive they are all safe for your LO.

roseyrose1984 · January 2016

I would get something from a big company like Nestlé that produces mass amounts, has the best R&D departments and has the best organized quality control during production and most at stake.

winterviolethope · January 2016

g8trkim said:
I've never heard of the liquid vs. powder issue. That's sounds a little questionable. I would just use whatever sample you have if you're in a pinch. I got samples from the OB and at the hospital. Usually the samples you get are Enfamil or Similac as they are the most popular brands. We used Enfamil with DS and Gerber with DD and liked them both, but our kids were pretty easy as far as how they reacted to foods and such. They also didn't need them until 6 months ago, so I think their tummies were stronger. Anyone I've ever known who uses liquid or other pricey formulas is because baby was sensitive to the standard ones. Cheap or expensive they are all safe for your LO.

You can google the powder vs. liquid issue if you aren't knowledgable about it.

oxfordlanding · January 2016

I asked about this at a la leche league meeting (which I totally recommend but the way, very helpful). They all said not to bother. Your baby won't starve overnight and it may tempt you to supplement just a little bit when in reality you just need to wait 24 hours for your supply to ramp up. If you really need it then it won't be an emergency thing and you can just get someone to pop to the shop for you, or midwives will have some in their car ready to go. Having said that, we have a box of formula sachets a friend gave us because I was thinking the same way.

Jellybelly119 · January 2016

LowerEastSiiide said:

g8trkim said:
I've never heard of the liquid vs. powder issue. That's sounds a little questionable. I would just use whatever sample you have if you're in a pinch. I got samples from the OB and at the hospital. Usually the samples you get are Enfamil or Similac as they are the most popular brands. We used Enfamil with DS and Gerber with DD and liked them both, but our kids were pretty easy as far as how they reacted to foods and such. They also didn't need them until 6 months ago, so I think their tummies were stronger. Anyone I've ever known who uses liquid or other pricey formulas is because baby was sensitive to the standard ones. Cheap or expensive they are all safe for your LO.
You can google the powder vs. liquid issue if you aren't knowledgable about it.

Holy condescension to someone who seems to have put thought and effort into answering your question that has no answer. Uncalled for.

Edit: autocorrect

g8trkim · January 2016

LowerEastSiiide said:

I've never heard of the liquid vs. powder issue. That's sounds a little questionable. I would just use whatever sample you have if you're in a pinch. I got samples from the OB and at the hospital. Usually the samples you get are Enfamil or Similac as they are the most popular brands. We used Enfamil with DS and Gerber with DD and liked them both, but our kids were pretty easy as far as how they reacted to foods and such. They also didn't need them until 6 months ago, so I think their tummies were stronger. Anyone I've ever known who uses liquid or other pricey formulas is because baby was sensitive to the standard ones. Cheap or expensive they are all safe for your LO.
You can google the powder vs. liquid issue if you aren't knowledgable about it.

Um, yeah thanks I've actually done plenty of research considering I've fed two real live children before. Liquid formula is often recommended for premature and immunosuppressed babies, or those who have constipation or aversions to powder formula. Other than that, the benefits of liquid are more the convenience of not mixing it.

I encourage you to drop the condescending tone. I pray that having a child will help you come down from your high horse. Based on your responses to pretty much every thread, you're in for a big reality check. For the record, you can just as easily Google "best formula for supplementing."

acuteangles · January 2016

LowerEastSiiide said:
I'm not planning on supplementing. I'm hoping to never use it but you know what they say about the beat laid plans lol. Samples are a really good idea- thanks. I have a couple of samples so far but I worried it was the cheap stuff and I think it's powder and my lactation consultant warned us against it because she said it wasn't guaranteed to be sterile or something.

I want to have something on hand to make sure I have something healthy and recommended so we don't get stuck with my husband running to the nearest bodega and get stuck having to buy something junky in the middle of the night.
How's earth's best organic?

I would be careful about the way you word things. I doubt even your local bodega sells formula that isn't FDA approved, and I'm sure there are plenty of parents who use this so-called "junky" formula for their children every day, and that they care about their children's health and wellbeing as much as you. Not every family has a Whole Foods formula budget, but that doesn't mean they deserve to have their options degraded or called "junky". Its not like they're bottling Doritos and trying to pawn it off as formula.

Shortcircuit1984 · January 2016

im a FTM and an new here so Im not sure about brands... But powdered formula is actually not sterilized.

This is from the CDC...
"If your baby gets formula, choose infant formula sold in liquid form, especially when your baby is a newborn or very young. Liquid formulations of infant formula are made to be sterile and should not transmit Cronobacter infection."

I'm planning on breastfeeding but I'm sure if something happens and you can't feed, you can run out and find something. Your baby won't starve.

g8trkim · January 2016

Shortcircuit1984 said:

im a FTM and an new here so Im not sure about brands... But powdered formula is actually not sterilized. This is from the CDC... "If your baby gets formula, choose infant formula sold in liquid form, especially when your baby is a newborn or very young. Liquid formulations of infant formula are made to be sterile and should not transmit Cronobacter infection." I'm planning on breastfeeding but I'm sure if something happens and you can't feed, you can run out and find something. Your baby won't starve.

Not sure what's up with my quote box, weird formatting issue.

The CDC also reported that as incredibly rare (4-6 cases per year) and again, it is more common in premature babies.

Shortcircuit1984 · January 2016

g8trkim said:

Shortcircuit1984 said:

im a FTM and an new here so Im not sure about brands... But powdered formula is actually not sterilized.

This is from the CDC...
"If your baby gets formula, choose infant formula sold in liquid form, especially when your baby is a newborn or very young. Liquid formulations of infant formula are made to be sterile and should not transmit Cronobacter infection."

I'm planning on breastfeeding but I'm sure if something happens and you can't feed, you can run out and find something. Your baby won't starve.

Not sure what's up with my quote box, weird formatting issue.

The CDC also reported that as incredibly rare (4-6 cases per year) and again, it is more common in premature babies.

You may be right but I wasn't referring really to the specific infection --- just to the fact that it's it's not sterilized so I'm sure other things can make their way in there too. But, you're right, it's probably really rare.

g8trkim · January 2016

@Shortcircuit1984 I think once you open any of them though, liquid or powder, they run the risk of contamination to bacterias. I know both have expiration dates of how long they can be open. Liquid is shorter and has to be refrigerated, so probably a lower risk. Who knows? It says the research on Chronobacter is so limited though so it's just hard to say either way.

MamaFroFro · January 2016

I kept frozen breast milk from my sister on hand just in case. I'm planning on getting a bit from my doula this time round to keep on hand as well.

RissKay · January 2016

So, I know you're anxious and nervous about breastfeeding as a FTM. I get it: I was there last time. But, might I give you a word of caution?

Stop looking at formula as this big, bad, scary thing. It's really not. I promise you: if it's what you need to do to feed your child, it's definitely the best thing ever. Lots of us struggle with milk production. Lots of us need to supplement. Lots of us can't produce for one reason or another.

I say this for a few reasons.

1) When a mother takes a firm stance against formula, and those of us who had to use it see that but really wanted and/or tried desperately to breastfeed ourselves, it can be INCREDIBLY hurtful.

2) If you DO have a problem, and you've built up formula as this big horrible thing you are avoiding at all cost, then the needed use of it causes undo stress on you and your body, thus making it harder to produce. I speak from experience. Be gentle on the subject.
Disclaimer: I'm not saying to not do everything you can to up your production so that you can avoid using formula. I'm just saying don't set yourself up for disappointment if you don't have to.

We researched a lot before deciding on a formula before DS1 once my milk stopped. After speaking to our chiropractor, we decided to use Gerber formula as it's the most like breastmilk. But honestly, I've seen many babies need a specific type of formula for different reasons, as they do all have a different taste. So, take that into consideration as you will.

Checca23 · January 2016

Lurking from March16. I used Earth's Best Sensitive when I had to supplement. I found it to have the least amount of bubbles. My son was a premie and in the NICU for a little while so he was given some formula. They used the liquid not sure what brand but I think that was out of convenience.

lord.kimberly · January 2016

I researched too, and settled on Baby's Only after reading a few articles, so I have some on-hand just in case.

AdventureMama · January 2016

acuteangles said:

-snip-
Its not like they're bottling Doritos and trying to pawn it off as formula.

Wait so... are you not supposed to do that?

acuteangles · January 2016

@AdventureMama it's recommended that you stay away from bottled Doritos and stick with bottled Cheetos or Lays Sea Salt & Vinegar chips. But to each their own.

pbtoast · January 2016

acuteangles said:
@AdventureMama it's recommended that you stay away from bottled Doritos and stick with bottled Cheetos or Lays Sea Salt & Vinegar chips. But to each their own.

But haven't you read the research indicating that Cheetos are not sterile? I mean I'm going to breastfeed but I do plan on having some bottled Fritos on hand just in case. Salt & Vinegar is cool, I just think you need to educate yourself on the Cheetos.

g8trkim · January 2016

@AdventureMama @acuteangles @pbtoast I would prefer a lean baby, so do you recommend Baked Lays and Diet Coke?

AdventureMama · January 2016

g8trkim said:
@AdventureMama @acuteangles @pbtoast I would prefer a lean baby, so do you recommend Baked Lays and Diet Coke?

DS preferred Maui Sweet Onion chips and Fresca. He has a more refined palate than a lot of babies, though. And most big brands are not as environmentally friendly, so we tried to steer clear of them.

ashton2190 · January 2016

g8trkim said:
@AdventureMama @acuteangles @pbtoast I would prefer a lean baby, so do you recommend Baked Lays and Diet Coke?

I was going to do sun chips. But that's just me

egraves4 · January 2016

I'm seriously breaking a rib from laughing right now and SO is just staring at me like I'm nuts.

VitaLuna · January 2016

I'm saving my Doritos for labor. Throw one across the room and baby flies out. I'm going to try it.

pbtoast · January 2016

g8trkim said:
@AdventureMama @acuteangles @pbtoast I would prefer a lean baby, so do you recommend Baked Lays and Diet Coke?

Good call. The only thing worse than being poor (and using crappy formula) is being fat, so...

MamaFroFro · January 2016

Oh so we are bringing the humor back are we ladies? I just might have to come back and start hanging out here more often

DrillSergeantCat · January 2016

MamaFroFro said:

Oh so we are bringing the humor back are we ladies? I just might have to come back and start hanging out here more often

Finally!

dragonfly321 · January 2016

VitaLuna said:
I'm saving my Doritos for labor. Throw one across the room and baby flies out. I'm going to try it.

I was thinking about doing this with Reese's cups... Think it will work?

VitaLuna · January 2016

dragonfly321 said:

VitaLuna said:
I'm saving my Doritos for labor. Throw one across the room and baby flies out. I'm going to try it.
I was thinking about doing this with Reese's cups... Think it will work?

No, because that would entail wasting a Reese's cup. Like hell you'll see one anywhere but in my mouth or in my hand headed toward my mouth.

I'm a little more liberal with the sacrifice of Doritos.

But who am I kidding.. It's stupid to bring snacks to the hospital in the firat place when you can just send someone down to the corner store to get you some. Buncha losers bringing Doritos and Reese's to the hospital.. Sheesh.

DrillSergeantCat · January 2016

VitaLuna said:
No, because that would entail wasting a Reese's cup. Like hell you'll see one anywhere but in my mouth or in my hand headed toward my mouth. I'm a little more liberal with the sacrifice of Doritos. But who am I kidding.. It's stupid to bring snacks to the hospital in the firat place when you can just send someone down to the corner store to get you some. Buncha losers bringing Doritos and Reese's to the hospital.. Sheesh.

Don't forget that we're all intending to bring sandwiches. All I have to say about that is in omnia paratus. Preparation is important!

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