What kind of formula?

Erin - posted on 11/04/2009

I have read that there are actually extremely strict guidelines for formula manufacturers, and that even the generic brands and store brands have the same quality as the most expensive name brands. All you have to do is pick which type your baby needs (if there are any special dietary needs or issues the doctor will recommend one) and any brand will have the same quality. I had to supplement my first son and he was on Enfamil Lipil (that is was WIC was providing at the time) but the hospital started supplementing my second son with Similac, so he was on that for a few months until we got him to where he didn't need a supplemental bottle. Happy feeding!

Kathy - posted on 11/03/2009

ooppsss forgot to say that now she is gaining just fine!!

Christine - posted on 11/03/2009

After a few different kinds, Enfamil Gentlease was the winner. Helps a lot with colic, gas, and she is growing great. My little chubster! And if you sign up at enfamil.com, they will send you coupons for the year that your baby is on formula! :)

Erika - posted on 11/03/2009

I started with the new Enfamil Premium Lipil. He kept a belly ache with it. The doctor changed him to Enfamil Gentlease. I love it. No belly aches! He's growing great too!

Kathy - posted on 11/03/2009

I started breastfeeding and she wasn't gaining so we were told to suplement, now we're only using formula, we tried enfamil, she projectile vomited, similac advance was ok but she really likes and is doing great with similac sensitive, same as advance without lactose

Livi - posted on 11/03/2009

i use heinz nurture gold for both my daughters and have found it is the best on the market it is not full of starch like alot of the other brands and it kept them fuller for longer.

Rachael - posted on 11/03/2009

I use Enfamil Low Iron. My son is growing pretty well. He was born 54 cm or 21.3 inches and 9lbs. 5 oz. At 2 months he is 12 lbs. and 61 cm or 24 inches. He spits up a bit sometimes, but at least it doesn't make him constipated like alot of the iron fortified formulas do

Tiffany - posted on 11/03/2009

We use Similac Alimentum. My daughter had issues tolerating the other formulas. She was a preemie and weighed 2 lbs 12 oz at birth. She is 4 months old now and weighs 9 lbs, so her growth is great. If you notice your baby has a problem tolerating a milk based formula, try a soy formula. (My first daughter ended up on a prescription formula because she was a refluxer...)

Rebeca - posted on 11/03/2009

I tried lots of formulas but none suited my baby, in the end i used Aptimil and it was the best. Our baby seemed to love it too x

Shakira - posted on 11/03/2009

We use Similac Advance with early shield plus I breastfeeding as well. He is gaining weight at a good clip so we won't be changing anytime soon. We did try Emfamil Gentlease and it gave him bad gas so we switched to the similac.

Heather - posted on 11/03/2009

i used similac advanced with iron and my son and he took to it pretty good, he was kind of gassy at times but overall we had no problems with it.

Courtney - posted on 11/03/2009

With my first baby I started with the expensive stuff, Enfamil and Similac, but it was too harsh on his stomach. Just looking at what the formula does in a bottle helps you understand why my son would act like he was trying to digest cement. After trying many different things, I tried Nestle Good Start and my son had instant relief! I have two boys and both have been happy with that formula and switching between breast milk and formula was not a problem. Both boys are growing like weeds. My oldest was always in the 90+ percentile and my 5 month old is off the charts. :-) Proud mama!

Sarah - posted on 11/03/2009

It's been kind of a bummer with Alena that I can't breastfeed exclusively like I did with my older child but hey- work becons! We have been using similac sensitive because she has a lot of gas and general fussiness and this one seems to help her the best. We tried Enfamil Gentlease and a couple of other ones but this has been our most successful as far as her enjoyment and comfort level!

Heidi - posted on 11/03/2009

Quoting Becci:

I used Walmarts brand with the Dha & whatever....sooooo long ago i don't remember. BUT... it's exactly the same as the "Brand" names just a billion dollars cheaper. I asked the Pediatrician & he agreed. It comes in tubs twice the size of normal formula cans(so less running to store...always a plus with a baby). Both of my kids have been tested at above average intelligence so to all you naysayers out there about generic brands....well the proof is in the pudding....LOL! Hope this helps....& saves you money too!

Great post! My ped said the same. Don't bother using name brands. We saved 11$ a can just switching from Enfamil to Parents Choice and my daughter didnt even notice we switched :)

Deanna - posted on 11/03/2009

I used Similac Alimentum....Daughter had stomach issues...the weight issue has always been an issue with us because she was born 3lbs 14 oz but with 3 months she weighed 6 lbs.

Heidi - posted on 11/03/2009

I was using Enfamil Gentle Ease and LOVED it. I used it for both my kids but started to notice how much I was spending on formula a month. We decided to switch her to Parents Choice milk based and she never even noticed the change. Not to mention its about 11$ cheaper. I'll never buy named brand again.....same ingredients if you look, your paying for the name. Congrats on your baby!!

Shelly - posted on 11/03/2009

I fed my son (after breast feeding for 7 months) enfamil with lipil. He grew just fine.

Stephanie - posted on 11/03/2009

My son was 6lbs 5.3oz when he was born. He couldn't hold down the formula they gave him in the hospital so we started giving him Enfamil AR. It's specially formulated for babies who spit up frequently. He loves it and has no problems holding it down. He is now almost 5 months old and around 15lbs.

Becci - posted on 11/03/2009

I used Walmarts brand with the Dha & whatever....sooooo long ago i don't remember. BUT... it's exactly the same as the "Brand" names just a billion dollars cheaper. I asked the Pediatrician & he agreed. It comes in tubs twice the size of normal formula cans(so less running to store...always a plus with a baby). Both of my kids have been tested at above average intelligence so to all you naysayers out there about generic brands....well the proof is in the pudding....LOL! Hope this helps....& saves you money too!

Kristine - posted on 11/03/2009

My son is on Nestle Good Start and does really well on it...He goes thru 11-12 cans a month. He was 4lbs 10oz when he was born and at 4 months he is 16lbs 4oz...

Jamie - posted on 11/03/2009

we use nestle good start gentle plus and my son has no issues with it. Hes almost 6 months and he weighs almost 19 pounds and is about 28 inches long. Hes a big boy, he was 8lbs. 11oz. at birth. My daughter was on similac and she spit up until she was almost a year old. They tried her on some expensive similac stuff I cant think of what its called but its like $25 for a small can it worked but its way to expensive. So they just added liquid zantac to help calm what they thought might have been acid reflux that was causing it and it didnt help much.

Tara - posted on 11/03/2009

My 1st daughter was 9 pounds 1 ounce at birth and now weighs about 22 pounds (she is 19 months now and has eaten table food since about 9 months, was weaned off the bottle to whole milk at 12 months).
My 2nd daughter was 9 pounds 8 ounces at birth and now weighs 10 pounds 10 ounces (she is 4 weeks old now).
Both girls I started out trying to breast feed but did not get enough milk due to a breast reduction years ago, so I started formula feeding pretty much within the first 2 weeks with both girls - we have used Nestle Good Start (just the regular kind, not the Omega/DHA kind) and have had no problems with it for spitups or anything with either girl. Both girls gained weight really well with the Good Start, and using the concentrated liquid (you just add an equal amount of previously boiled and cooled water to the amount in the can) is much cheaper than powder formula.

Karen - posted on 11/03/2009

I started out breastfeeding as well, moved to Similac when I went back to work and then started using the generic Target brand. No issues what so ever with my kiddo!

Lisa - posted on 11/03/2009

I started out with my first using similac. She couldn't hold it down. My pediatrician told me to try carnation good start. I thought since it was cheaper it wouldn't be as good for her. She did great on it and so did all my other children.

Katie - posted on 11/03/2009

my son was 9 lbs n 2 ozs...i started breastfeeding but i switched to just formula. i use similac advance early shield...i have always used that with my younger siblings n i think it works great...but the growing wise my son weighed 13 lbs n 4 ozs n then the next week he weighed 14 lbs n 1 oz....similac advance is great for babies n growing wise...good luck. p.s. i also mix the formula with good start bc thats wat wic provides....n my son does very well with the both of them...but i like similac better!

Beth - posted on 11/03/2009

I breastfeed my daughter for the first 3 mo, but then I dried up. Now, I use Similac Advance with Early Shield and Nestle Good Start, and my daughter is almost 10 mo, and at her 9 mo. check up she 27 in long and 18.2 lbs. She is growing just great!

September - posted on 11/03/2009

I breastfeed for about 6 months and then switched over to Similac Advance. Our son is growing just great!

Katie - posted on 11/03/2009

we are using similac advance with early shield. He seems to be gassy and spit up a lot during some of his feedings and not much on others. He was born 7lbs 70z and2 wks later he is 8lbs 4oz.