May 2021 Moms
mrosek91
member
Product Spotlight: Formula
mrosek91
member
Hello and welcome to Week 2 of our "Baby Feeding Products" series at Product Spotlight! Last week we discussed breast pumps and accessories, so this week we turn to FORMULA, for when we need a little hand from science to keep our babies fed! (Next week we will discuss bottles to figure out where to put all that pumped breast milk and formula, so hold on to those recommendations if you have them!)
What brand of formula do you use? Any help navigating the three million options of formula types within each brand? Do you transition through different ones as your babies grow? (Note: per doctors, formulas are very regulated in terms of nutritional setup so you won't choose a WRONG one, but people may have tips on different brands to help with, e.g., colic or gas or certain allergies!) If a family knows they are going to formula feed, what should they have ready beforehand? And if a family does not expect to formula feed, is there anything they may want to know ahead of time or have prepared just in case they do wind up supplementing or using formula?
What about the mechanics of formula-administration? Do you use pre-mixed or powder formula? What's your set-up at home, and what's your set-up on the road in your diaper bag?
Where and how do you acquire your formula? Do you have a good source for coupons? Certain stores to keep an eye on? Mail-order options? Assistance from medical offices?
Whether you exclusively formula-fed, or supplemented for part or all of your little ones' babyhood, any experience is appreciated! Obviously we are here to support each other with useful info, and are luckily past the tedious "o no formula bad, only breast" stance from prior mommy wars: there are a thousand reasons why different families use formula, so let's help each other do it in an informed way! Please share!
What brand of formula do you use? Any help navigating the three million options of formula types within each brand? Do you transition through different ones as your babies grow? (Note: per doctors, formulas are very regulated in terms of nutritional setup so you won't choose a WRONG one, but people may have tips on different brands to help with, e.g., colic or gas or certain allergies!) If a family knows they are going to formula feed, what should they have ready beforehand? And if a family does not expect to formula feed, is there anything they may want to know ahead of time or have prepared just in case they do wind up supplementing or using formula?
What about the mechanics of formula-administration? Do you use pre-mixed or powder formula? What's your set-up at home, and what's your set-up on the road in your diaper bag?
Where and how do you acquire your formula? Do you have a good source for coupons? Certain stores to keep an eye on? Mail-order options? Assistance from medical offices?
Whether you exclusively formula-fed, or supplemented for part or all of your little ones' babyhood, any experience is appreciated! Obviously we are here to support each other with useful info, and are luckily past the tedious "o no formula bad, only breast" stance from prior mommy wars: there are a thousand reasons why different families use formula, so let's help each other do it in an informed way! Please share!
Re: Product Spotlight: Formula
We tried Similac and had no issues so that’s what we stuck with and it’s also what our daycare provides (they provide one bottle of formula per day). The pre-mixed formula is AWESOME but it winds up being much more expensive.
I’m not super well versed in formula so no tips on where to buy it (we just grab it from the grocery store) or set ups at home/away but will definitely be checking out to see if anyone else has tips!
All that to say, he started on formula since day 1. The hospital gave us a ton of Similac Advanced. He never showed signs of of upset stomach or being uncomfortable, but this kid spit up ALLLL the time. When I spoke to his pedi about it, she called him a "Happy Spitter" and the only problem it caused was a "Laundry Problem". Well, we did that for 6 whole months. I finally ran out of the decent Similac coupons and I was just over all the spitting up and stained clothes. My husband and I researched formula and found Baby's Only Organic Toddler Formula. Even though it's labeled as a Toddler formula, it meets all the FDA requirements for an infant formula that’s safe to use during baby’s first year. It's labeled as such to encourage breastfeeding.
Anyways, we did a cold turkey switch for Caleb right when he turned 6 months. He stopped spitting up IMMEDIATELY. I was both overjoyed and irritated. If I wasn't a new mom who knew little to nothing about formula feeding a baby, I'd have switched so much earlier. "Side eye to my old pediatrician."
When I was pregnant with Owen, the plan was do BF and supplement with formula as well. Owen was NOT a champion nurser and demanded actual food. I BF'd for maybe 2 weeks and we went exclusively to formula. He did amazing on Baby's Only as well!
I order straight for the manufacturer's website: www.natureone.com and order by the case on autoship. It makes it a great deal and a good amount cheaper, if I recall, than Similac.
So, I will stock up for baby Eli and plan to try and BF and supplement with formula again and we'll see how it goes!
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
obviously it would be a gamble not knowing when i will start using it and if baby will like it, but seems like a good discount.
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
For example, like the others say, you may receive samples and some doctors and hospitals send you home with a lot of products.
So I would say no you don´t need any ahead of time. Especially not a giant can of formula. However, if you do decide to buy a small can, and don´t use it, you can drink it yourself as a supplement for your breastfeeding. It never needs to be wasted.
BFP #1 January 28, 2016
Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016
My Chart
BFP #2 September 11, 2020
EDD May 23, 2021
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
FTM question: I've been eying up a baby brezza to add to my registry. Do any of you have one? Any thoughts on it? They are kind of expensive and I'm wondering if they're worth it...
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
@caroduke I don't have one and like @gusgus14 I planned to get one this time because I know we will be formula feeding, until I read a few stories about the ratios not measuring correctly which can cause them to get too much water. I had a Dr. Browns formula pitcher which was awesome to make up a few bottles at a time and then keep it in the fridge. Then all you have to do is pop the bottle in the warmer and you're good to go! Also 100% recommend a bottle warmer, I was originally told it was a waste of money and it was definitely not. I thought we could just use water we warmed in the microwave to set the bottle in and warm up, but that took way too long when you have a screaming baby at 2am 🤣
mentioned it!
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*