Formula Moms

[Amah1976]

I am wondering if you all stick to one specific formula, or if any of you have used multiple different kinds with your baby(ies)? Not switching b/c the baby doesn't tolerate it, but switching based on the best deals?

[blossomed]

I used Similac Advance because that was what they gave me in the hospital until she was about 10 months and then switched to Similac Go and Grow and still use that. I only tried the switch because dd had no issues ever when introducing new foods etc. I also used only nursery water when making formula. I started with ready to feed for the first month, then did a little of the concentrate that you mix with water and then switched to powder.

I was told by both a friend who is a NICU nurse and my pediatrician not to switch unless there was an issue.

If you are thinking you might do formula then sign up for your brands program and they will send coupons and sometimes samples. You can also sign up for other brands and trade them on here. Also ask for samples and coupons at your pediatricians office every time you go.

hth and I am happy to help with any other questions. I found very little info on how best to handle formula way more info on bfing.

[Macaela25]

I don't switch formula around mainly because my boys tend to get very unhappy tummies when that is switched.

I've read about people doing it though. If your child has a tolerant stomach and you are just switching brands instead of types (like going from regular formula to soy), it can't hurt to try. Just keep an eye on the tummy

People are so funny about formula brands...but no one bats an eye over switching baby food brands all over the place. Mine eats whatever's on sale!

[hillaryef]

PP made a great point about food vs formula. So many people will give their family whatever is on sale but when it comes to formula (and diapers) most are extremely brand loyal.

With that said, formula is extremely well regulated...probably one of the best regulated things on the planet And there really isn't much difference between name brands and store brands and as long as your baby doesn't have any issues, switch away and get whatever you have on sale/coupon for.A very good friend of mine who is a pediatric nurse and who's brother is a pediatrician used whatever she had a formula check for or was on sale and when she couldn't find anything on sale she went with Walmart's brand b/c in her area it was the cheapest. Her little ones are just as healthy as any.

I wish I could do that with mine. Mine on the other hand have so many reflux issues that when I finally find a formula type that my kids can tolerate...I'm stuck. We are still searching for DD. I think we are going to have to go with the same stuff we used for my second DS...Similac RS (thankfully this time around it comes in powder and is better priced...when DS was coming along it just hit the market and only came in RTF and I was shelling out $5.49/bottle and that's a lot when they are eating almost a bottle a day...and this was pre-HCW). People have said that if a baby tolerates RS well they would probably do pretty good on Nestle Good Start. But given the fact DS would spit up enough to reach my fireplace from my couch...we just stuck with what we found worked first. And for some reason my ped is a diehard similac fan (even though her office really works more with enfamil...go figure???)

HTH?

[ekoury]

Ok, here it goes... My baby uses a mixture of Similac Sensitive and Similac Sensitive RS. We have Dr. Brown's pitcher and mix 24oz of water with 10 scoops of Similac Sensitive and 2 scoops of Similac Sensitive RS. We pre-make bottles - saves sooooo much time. She has lactose intolerance. We used Similac Advance in the beginning - terrible gas and screams. Switched to Gerber Good Start Gentle - same. Tried to use Similac Sensitive RS - way too thick for us. Eventually we came up with the current mixture (by mistake, I might add). She has almost no gas with it and loves to eat it up I am not planning on switching as I can get it pretty cheap with checks, coupons and CVS $/$$.

Btw, Similac Sensitive RS does come in powder now.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

My pediatrician said switch away unless you spot any issues. So that is what I did. My kids were not too picky and I mommyfed for a little while with each of them so they did not get formula for a few months. But if Enfamil spit out a Catalina for Similac then next go around I got Similac and if Similac spit out a Catalina for Good Start then I got Good Start. Using formula checks, Catalinas and my Baby Club membership at Smith's I hardly ever paid for formula.

[CW&M Mom]

First Daughter: Switched to whatever was around LOL And she did great. If your going to switch to whatever...you need to make sure that you don't do a few months of one and then switch...as they will get used to that exact flavor. We swapped them around every few cans and she never got fixated on one exact kind.

Son: Nutramagin...no switching...but he had MSPI. When he grew out of at 10 months..we did soy...which ever brand..and then regular formula...whatever brand...he never cared...they all tasted better than Nutramagin LOL

Daughter: Preventive Nutramagin for 4 months...after that we switched to whatever and again they all tasted better than Nutramagin.

[jennabret]

I asked dr about switching - said it was fine, as long as you get similar formula to what baby is used to. Mine did have a slight reaction (red cheeks and different poo) to the walmart brand, and it was a different consistency - much harder to disolve. Target brand is awesome and so is the babies r us - i got great deals on the bonus size 13.99 for 34 oz, minus $5 off two or$10 gift cards when you spent 50...i have probably 6 mos worth! if you join their reward program you get a free can for every 9 you buy. I've heard from others that the difference between store brand and name brand in the protein source (have no idea if this is true). I started with similac - still my fave but too expensive. My baby tends to spit up enfamil - seems to be a thinner consistency when made, similac is a little "stickier".

[~~Who,Me?~~]

My kids have iron stomachs I guess. I switched all around, day to day, can to can, based on what I had formula checks for. My littlest one is now 14m old, and he has never spit up even once in his life, seriously. (Now I realize I just jinxed myself and I'll get called out of work today to come get him, lol) My oldest is almost 4, and he's only thrown up once or twice in his life.

And when I didn't have any formula checks, I would go to BJs and get their house brand.

[Amah1976]

Thanks to all that have replied. Reps to all!