Is there a real difference between brand name and generic formula?

Question

My daughter (9 months yesterday) is on Enfamil Lipil. A friend told me that Walmart sells the same in a generic form that is half the price. I'm thinking of switching. I've done some research and all I have come up with is the fact that Enfamil is expensive becuase of advertising, etc. All formula is regulated by the FDA. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

i have a 25 day old son, when the nurse came to check him out after we left the hospital i asked the same question. and this is what i was told... All formula is regulated there for they are all the same!! it does not matter if it is enflamil, nestle or a genaric. the only thing is if they are iron enriched or not. so go to the genaric as long as it is iron fortified if that is what your child is using now. and i would suggest switching over gradually as it may be tough for her tummy.. i know it was for my son who was also on enflamil, but it only took 2 days and all was well!! so goodluck and save the coin!!!!!

Answer 2

We use Enfamil Lipil with iron. It is expensive!! At Sam's they sell a huge container of Members Mark formula for half the price (it says on the container that it's the same as Enfamil Lipil). We started using it about 2 months ago and my son doesn't even know the difference. It has not upset his stomach or constipated him. It just looks a little different. It sort of reminds me of the Enfamil AR but it mixes like the regular enfamil...go figure!! Try it and see if you like it :) It would definitely be worth it in the long run!

Answer 3

I am going to tell you a secret. The name is really what the price reflects. I bought a can of Enfamil A+ for my son the night we got home from the hospital as I was not able to breast feed. I paid $26 for a 700ml can. I only bought that one because The Barn was the only store near the house that was open at that time of the night, wal-mart would have been my first choice but a 30 min drive right before closing time we were just not going to make it. My son started on Parent's Choice baby formula with iron on the very next can. He was you basic average size baby at birth. 8lbs 8 oz 19", by 1 year before we switched him over to homo milk he was nearly 30" and 28Lbs, smart as a whip and as active as any little boy could be. I paid usually $12 a can for the Parents Choice formula though now I have noticed that since the cans look has changed to match those sold in the US the price has gone up a couple dollars, but still a lot more affordable and definately not lacking in nutrition by any means. One thing Public Health told us between prenatal classes and visits after Gabriel was born was that all babies on formula really do need to be on formula with iron added, with or without iron costs the same but once you go to DHA and ARA added it does cost a little more, but still about $10 less expensive than the name brands.

It comes fully encouraged from this mom. I am going to start stocking up for a couple months worth shortly after I conceive my second child, hoping for that positive to show up in a couple weeks.

Answer 4

as a mother of 4 all formulas are in fact diffrent
i used enfamil with lipil for my children with my last daughter i ran out of the enfamil and my husband bought the walmart brand my daughter threw up the whole time she was on it when i took my baby to the docter she said since i switched to a diffrent formula it was messing her belly up and she needed to be back on the enfamil with lipil it took me 1 week to get her to stop throwing up after i placed her back on the enfamil if you cant afford to buy it try getting on wic they can help you
all you need is id proff of income proff of address ss numbers babys birth certificate or hospital information
some wic offices can get you in sooner than you think some even do walk ins
but as a mom i no that formulas are not the same and honestly theres even a large diffrence in similac and enfamil i would never use anything other than enfamil with lipil other than breast milk its the best

Answer 5

my son is on enfamil lipil as well

my dr said the only diffrence is it taste a lil diffrent and the name thats it if u buy a small can of it to look at the ingretians compare it to ur enfamil can u wont see much of a diffrence

Answer 6

Yes, all generic is lower in cost than brand name because they do not advertise. Amazing the difference in price huh? Also because store brands aren't sold to other markets, so they save on transportation costs as well. And sometimes their products are even better than name brand! lol I love the Kroger soda's, they are good!

Try it and see, it won't hurt and might save you quite a bit of money!

I'd have to say tho, I really disliked the store brands of diapers, they felt like paper. I really am a Pampers type person lol.

Answer 7

You are absolutely correct! You are only paying for the name. If you still insist on that brand, check out Ebay. I purchased a large lot of Isomil soy formula for my newborn, got a great deal. After I run out of that, I will be using a store brand soy formula (either Target or Walmart).

Answer 8

as far as i know you are only paying for the name, if the FDA is regulating the formula there cant be anything wrong with it....your baby may not like it, you have to try it out and see. sometimes formula doesnt agree with some babys...its worth a shot!

Answer 9

They are all pretty much the same if you ask me. I went from Enfamil to carnation good start.

Answer 10

My Mom made formula for the last 2 babies (out of 8 kids) by using powered milk and kayro syrup cos' it was cheaper. They didn't have any upset belly problems with it.

You might want to check with your baby's pediatrition to see if it's a good idea, though. Some babies need more iron and less sugar.