I need to know what formula you would suggest. Gerber good start or Similac?

Erin - posted on 12/27/2011

There really is no need to get so defensive. The research I have done with Nestle shows that they outsource the infant formula part of the company and only actually produce the Gerber food. Similac and Enfamil actually have formulas that have been researched and specifically designated for certain problems, such as reflux and preemies. It doesn't matter your education level or job title, you should follow your intution. : )

Emily - posted on 12/26/2011

I'm not a fan of artificial milk. I nursed my daughter until she was a year old.

Brittany - posted on 12/19/2011

I used enfamil lipil plus iron..my son didnt take to similac, so we switch to powdered enfamil

Lexy - posted on 12/13/2011

Good Start is not the Basic Grade formula, Gerber is owned by nestle, the largest food and nutrition company in the world. Henry nestle invented infant formula in the evaporated milk, which is why Good Start used to be Carnation Good Start. The problem is that Abbott and Mead are larger pharma companies that used to pay hospitals to provide formula to moms, and Nestle did not. Gerber Good Start is the number one used formula in EVERY country accept the US because of it's clinical benefits. I'm a registered dietitian and it all comes down to whey content and protein size. Just read the expert opinions of american academy of pediatrics, they say to use a partially hydrolyzed formula if mom can't breastfeed.

Tamara - posted on 12/12/2011

I never used Gerber because I think Abbott Labs (the manufacturer of Similac) is a more reputable company for formula. Gerber makes great stuff, but I feel that Abbott Labs is an expert on formula whereas Gerber may be an expert in other baby-related topics.

Erin - posted on 12/10/2011

Good Start is the basic grade formula. Similiac is a better grade formula. Enfamil is the best formula out there. I have a 9 month old that was in and out of the hospital (digestion problems) and went through all kinds of formula. Enfamil is the best on the market, they have the best variety for types of digestion problems. They also have great customer service!

Tamara - posted on 12/08/2011

I use Similac Advance, in the blue bottle. My son can't seem to tell the difference between it and my milk, as he drinks both during the day.

Alexandra - posted on 08/10/2011

Honestly all formula has to have the same ingrediants (quantity and quality) in order to be sold in the US. That means that good start, similac, enfamil, store brand, and etc. are all the same. Some add a little more sugar or flavoring to taste better. Most babies dont care about taste. Yes one brand could be better for one baby while another works best for baby #2. Its all in the extras. I actually had my babies doctors tell me that DHA and ARA are not proven to help with brain development like they claim!! I couldnt believe it lol. Anywho the wic program used to give enfamil but the contract wa sthen given to good start because goodstart offered more money. The hospitals in my area use enfamil still. Of course though my baby was severly allergic to most formulas available. He has lactose allergy, even the hypoallergenic have lactose in them . He was switched to Neocate. which was a god send. Then Rice milk because he wont go near soy or dairy. Now hes on Neocate junior. He's only 15 months old too.

Lexy - posted on 07/29/2011

I used Gerber Good start sinc emy little girl was born, and what I've found out is that Gerber Good start is the first infant formula to be approved for a FDA health claim in reducing youe childs risk of excema which is HUGE since my son has the worst allergies from similac. Simical and Enfamil and the other stor ebrands all contain CASEIN, casein is the DEVIL for babies. your baby is not suppose to have cows milek casein untikl their 1 year of age. the casein in moms milk is very functionally different than formula with casein. 100% whey protein formula is the way to go, I mean I only drink protein shakes with 100% whey protein, why would i feed my baby cow casein?

Tracy And Luis - posted on 07/08/2010

We used Nestle's Good Start and loved it...lots of benefits for baby and our doctor said it was great, too.

Katie - posted on 06/21/2010

Both my baby and I love Good Start. We started with Similac Advanced in the hospital, whihc worked well for about 3 weeks and then made my son so gassy. He would cry, whimper, and be inconsolable! We tried dif versions of similac and enfamil and then a friend recommended Good Start. I have my baby back! No more stomach issues at all. He started sleeping through the night almost immeadiately, plus Good Start is a little cheaper too. I like the look and smell better than Similac and Enfamil as well and the powder form mixes w/o bubbles which both Similac and Emfamil have. I would recommend Good Start to anyone.

Julie - posted on 06/21/2010

All babies are different. See what your doc recommends. Most importantly, see how YOUR baby does. It does not help your baby if 99% of the babies in your country do well on brand X while he/she thrives on brand Y.

Blaine - posted on 06/19/2010

WIth my first child I tried all of the major brands and finally ended up having the best luck with the Kirkland Formula at Costco. It is a great deal and we had less issues with spitting up, etc.

Heather - posted on 06/17/2010

We had started on Similac in the hospital and after about two weeks our daughter developed several gas so we switched to Good Start and it was like a different child, less fuss more smiles thought what appeared in her diaper was a strange and interesting color! I would try a couple of different things to see what works and makes your baby happy and healthy.

Amanda - posted on 06/16/2010

I used many different brands of formula with my girls. I signed up with many websites for coupons to help with the cost b/c I have twins. Iv tried Enfamil, Similac and the Target Brand. In the end we ended up regularly buying the Target brand to save money and our pediatrician didn't have a problem with that. It was just was good as the name brands for half of the cost (even with coupons).

Christene - posted on 06/15/2010

Gerber is a reputable name in the industry of baby food, and as soon as my daughter will be old enough for solids she will be eating their food. However, as far as formula is concerned, I found Enfamil to be the best. I don't know if you are familiar with it, but I just thought I should mention it.

Chantelle - posted on 06/15/2010

Good start from nestle is the best formula for babies

Natural cultures are part of what gives breast milk its naturally protective qualities. Of the natural cultures found in breast-fed babies, Bifidobacteria is the most prevalent (accounting for up to 90% of the “good bacteria” commonly found in healthy, breast-fed babies)11.

That’s why Good Start® Natural Cultures™ has added Bifidobacteria, which we call bifidus BL (or B. lactis). There are only two places your newborn can get natural cultures. The first is you. The other is from Good Start® Natural Cultures™.

Lisa - posted on 06/15/2010

I started my Daughter on Good Start and then discovered that the Costco Kirkland brand had the EXACT same ingredients and you got twice the amount for 17.99 as opposed to the $30 for Good Start! Doc said it was fine. My daughter had a hard time with Enfilac and others with gas but both Good Start and Kirkland brand...no problem!

Kristen - posted on 06/11/2010

I used Good Start because that is what my dr recommended. We never had any problems with it and I found it to be cheaper than the rest.

Jessica - posted on 06/11/2010

When it comes to formula, it's FDA regulated and all the same. Buy what is cheapest. We used Sam's Club brand in bulk!! Once I stopped breastfeeding, that's what we used. My cousin's triplets were in the NICU for a long time and the pediatrician at the NICU who took care of the worlds 1st surviving set of Octuplets told them it's all the same and FDA regulated.

Khadijah - posted on 06/11/2010

I breast fed my girls for the first 6 months but was forced to start mixing in formula because one of my girls had severe Reflux. If your child has reflux, colic, etc. then I would select a formula based on that. If not then whatever you select should be fine.
I've never tried Good Start but I can't say I've heard anything bad about it. I started mixing with Enfimil. I went through what seems like every kind but it just didn't work for my girls, not even Nutramigen (which cost A LOT!!). I was later told that if your child has any allergies or certain conditions (such as reflux) Enfimil is not the formula they should be on. Our Pedi switched them to Similac Sensitive and it did the trick. My girls liked it, less refluxing, less gas, etc.

Marguerite - posted on 06/10/2010

I switch back and forth between breast milk and similac sensitive formula. My son tried enfamil but that was making him too gassy. Pediatrition said they are pretty much all similar. although I am finding that similac is kind of sugary.

Lesley - posted on 06/10/2010

I had my daughter on similac and she loved it it was a great switch from breast milk to formula.. She is now 6 months and I put her on good start... They say The carnation Good Start is hard on the baby tummy when they are really young..

Cassie - posted on 06/09/2010

I loved Enfamil and then I found out that Target's brand of formula is the off brand of Enfamil and Similac, my son switched with no problems and it saved me so much money!! He did really really good on it :O) Good luck :O)

Engie - posted on 06/09/2010

Every baby is different just like every Formula is different. See what works best for your baby. I started with the regular Enfamil and had to change to Enfamil GentleEase b/c my son was very gassy his first month.

Sheila - posted on 06/08/2010

We gave our son Similac, which costs a fortune, even with coupons (checks). We gave our daughter Costco's brand and had no problems and saved a ton of money. I wouldn't spend too much money on the brand names unless your child has a special diet (lactose free, etc). Always check with your pediatrician before changing formulas.

Erin - posted on 06/08/2010

Enfamil Premium Lipil is great!

Mylene - posted on 06/08/2010

I have only ever given Good Start and my son was doing great on it. my step-sons had Similac for a while and ended up with colics so were switched to Good Start. Every baby is different so you might have some trial and error to do...

Keli - posted on 06/07/2010

btw, if u register for baby clubs,etc goodstart will send you coupons just about every month ranging from $3-8 off. similac does it too, but not nearly as often

Keli - posted on 06/07/2010

i say goodstart. i actually had both and when he was on similac he was very gassy and fussy,

Jessica - posted on 06/07/2010

we use similac at our hospital, so I am not too familiar with Good Start. They are all about the same as far as quality I think. Similac uses probiotics now, so that is a plus. Some babies don't tolerate a certain kind and need to be switched. Talk to your pediatrician and see what he recommends.

Karen - posted on 06/07/2010

My daughter LOVED the Good Start, the Similac tasted nasty to me (yes, i tasted all types of formula to see why my daughter didn't like them) The Good Start was quite good though. :-)

Alison - posted on 06/07/2010

My doctor recommended Good Start, but I have no idea why.