What is a good inexpensive formula?

Question

My formula bill is exceeding $60 a week now. I really cant afford it anymore. My baby usues enfamil for gassy babies now, any suggestions on a inexpensive subsitute?

Answer 1

find out if you qualify for WIC. they issue out free formula. and get Carnation Good Start. it so helps with gassy babies

Answer 2

I found Bright Beginnings to be less expensive and many times had a coupon attached to the can. Register at the websites for Similac, Enfamil, Nestle Good Start and Bright Beginnings and they will send you coupons until your baby is around 12 months.Nestle's coupons are $11. Enfamil sends coupons and vouchers to give your pediatrician for free sample cans. I did not try the store brands (first time mom = worry wart) but I probably would next time. Express your concerns to your pediatrician, they are usually pretty generous. My husband came home from the pedi with four cans of Enfamil that she just gave him and we didn't even ask.

Gassy tip - if you are using powder and mixing it as you need it (bottle by bottle) - that can cause gas pains. Mix a batch of it and put in the fridge. The air will come out of it and it will be more homogenous. This helped our son immensely.

BTW There are many reasons why a mother may not be able to breast feed.

Answer 3

Don't listen to the person who said "You should have breastfed" first off! I tried to, and was unable to breastfeed. Some people are unable, so don't let them hurt your feelings.

Now, to address your problem. Enfamil is definately the more expensive in my experience. We are feeding Enfamil Enfacare preemie formula, and I find that it is usually $3 more than Similac's preemie formula, so I switch back and forth depending on what is on sale and what I have coupons for at the time. I would assume that other formulas to do different things (like the gas formula or the soy-based formula for instance) are priced similarly. Similac may save you some money, especially if you join their Welcome Addition Club, and use the coupons they send about once a month. Enfamil also sends coupons if you join their "club" but not as often. You can also look for coupons on eBay for formula. Also, make sure that every timie you take your baby to the pediatrician for Well-Baby checks that you ask the receptionist for a sample! They have them and will usually give them to you.

And have you applied for WIC? We weren't eligible because of how much we made, but if you are eligible it is great.

My brother in law and his wife used Parent's Choice from Walmart and really liked it, but I'm not sure if they have a gas relief formula. The Netle Good Starts is supposed to be really good also and a bit less expensive.

Good luck and hug your little one for me!

Answer 4

Nestle Goodstart. Also, if you shop at a Sam's Club or Costco/Price Club you can buy LARGE quantaties of formula, they even have their own brand that's the same as Enfamil or Similac. You can save BIG. Also, I found if I shopped around to a few different Wal-Marts and Grocery stores in different areas of town, different stores would have formula at different prices. I found the LARGE cans at a Wal-Mart of Enfamil for only $15.00 a can once, and stocked up. Good luck! Just remember to slowly ween your baby from one formula to another, otherwise you'll upset their little tummies.

Answer 5

My sis-in-law switched from Enfamil to Parents Choice and her baby stopped spitting up right after. One big can is the same price as a small of Enfamil. You can buy it at Wal-Mart. Have you applied for WIC? They provide formula for free. Even if you don't think you can qualify you should try. All they can say is no.

Call 1-800-WIC-FORU (1-800-942-3678)

Answer 6

Both of my kids used Carnation Good start, and did really good on it. Not as expensive as enfamil. Also try The Walmart brand. All formulas are made up of the same things(basically). Try one at a time. Pick one to try and try to stick with it!

Answer 7

I was in a program called WIC they helped provide formula, good program! See if u have one in your state. Wal-mart does have cheap formula, ill tell u another thing all formulas have the same ingredients so dont let that fool you when u go buy one. Any store brands are the same as name brands! Buy powder it lasts longer and you get more than what they give you in cans! Good luck! Or even ask your babies doctor for samples!! I did that alot!!They always need to get rid of them!! Seriously ask the dr.

Answer 8

I would not switch formulas unless you are prepared for what may happen. When I did this with my 3 month old son, he got really gassy and didn't poop for days and then he would scream in pain. I could hear his tummy rambling. I felt so bad. When I talked to his doctor she told me it was probably because I switched formulas on him.

Your baby may not do this but I just thought I would let you know my experience so you could be prepared if it does happen.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Have you applied for WIC? You can have a pretty high income and still get help with formula. My son's formula is $15/can and we use about 10 cans a month, so WIC saves us $150/month.

They will pay for any formula that your doctor says that your baby needs.

Answer 10

have you tried to see if where you live offers a program such as wic? try that you should be able to find out about this through your local state assisted ins (medicaid) they will let you know if they offer it just ask for info about wic. if they don't or you don't qualify, just shop around, formula is not cheap no matter what brand, it all ads up. try the website www.fns.usda.gov/wic/ it may help