Parents choice, Enfamil or Similac advance - which is better? All claim to be best.?

Question

I bought Parents Choice from walmart, which says on it that its same as Enfamil with Lipil. But the pediatritian said that Enfamil or Similac are best. Anyone have experience with whats best? My take is enfamil or similac are considered best because its widely available, where as Parents choice is only in Walmart. Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

I use Target brand formula. From what I understand, the store brand formulas (ie: Parent's Choice, Target, etc.) are of the same quality as the name brand ones. The difference in price has more to do with advertising costs than with any difference in quality.

I found the following on babycenter.com:

Question: Are generic or store-brand formulas less nutritious than brand-name formulas?

Answer: All generic formulas must meet the same strict safety, nutrition, and manufacturing guidelines as the priciest products on the market. So, no, they're not less nutritious.

The reason they're less expensive is that the manufacturers of generic formula don't spend millions of dollars on research or on marketing, and they don't give away free samples the way some other formula companies do. They simply sell a product that meets the standards set by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Interestingly, Wyeth Nutrition, a division of an enormous pharmaceutical company, makes the majority of "generic" or store-brand formulas on the market. Before moving in to the generic category, Wyeth Nutrition marketed their own brand-name formula, SMA.

Answer 2

I used Enfamil Lipil with my 18 month old, The first 6 months, And then decided to try Parents Choice..

He made the switch just fine!

I think they're all the same, Other than the price difference.

As long as your child can tolerate the formula, Why not buy the less expensive??

Answer 3

Buy whatever your baby will digest the easiest. Enfamil and Similac are the most marketed brands, you're paying extra for all the "coupons" you'll get, space ads in Parents Magazine, TV commercials during soaps, etc.

Usually the "store" brand (in this case Parent's Choice from Wal-Mart) is actually manufactured by one of the main formula manufacturers, but because it doesn't have a big marketing budget around it it's usually cheaper.

My first child used the Target brand of formula, my second child used the Costco brand. All that matters is that whatever you give him/her is easily digested -- if s/he starts to spit up a lot or have gas, try something else.

And a lot of the "off" brands also have the specialty formulas, i.e. lipil, iron enriched, even soy.

Best of luck!

Answer 4

I had my daugther on Nestle Good Start and then Enfamil with Lipil (which made her gassy). Then after looking on the Parent's Choice label (which is over $10 cheaper than Good Start) and comparing one time at the store, I realized they all have the same amount of nutrition and DHA and ARA in them, I decided to go with the Parent's Choice. My daughter is sensitive to what she eats, but this formula has never made her gassy at all. I can tell it is a good formula because it has the same consistency as Good Start and mixes well and does not give her problems. She takes it just fine! I would say go with Parent's Choice if money is a concern because there really is no difference between the formulas. I think it's the cheapest out there!

Answer 5

enfamil with lipil is the best one for babys. my kids wouldn't take any other brand and thats what the hospital started them off with. Enfamil with lipil also helps with brain and eye development amongst other things. my childrens pediatrician is also rated top 5 in the united states. I was told by specialist when my twins were born only to give them the enfamil.

Answer 6

You could find out for sure with a little research, but my guess is that Parent's choice is a Walmart generic equivalency brand. Also, your ped. no doubt recommends those formulas b/c he/she is being courted by those companies to do so. Yes, I'm a bit cynical.

Having said that, I chose Similac b/c they offer a ready to feed soy formula and my baby showed early signs of milk intolerance. My sister - on her 2nd baby - swears by enfamil's lipil formula. Her babies didn't have lactose issues. You're probably best on either one, though many babies have milk issues. You might want to start yours out on a lactose-free or soy formula, as these are easier on little tummies than cow's milk.

Answer 7

For correct now my four day historical is on Enfamil Lipil. It appears to be running high-quality for her. But with my two older ones, I regularly switched to Parent's Choice after the primary 6 months or so...and surely I will do the equal with my new youngster.

Answer 8

I used Enfamil, because they asked me at the hospital, and said that if I was going to be on WIC, that they used Enfamil. So that's what I used the whole time. I've never tried any other brand.

Answer 9

I used parents choice with both my kids and even the health nurse said it was Enfamil in a different package. Its less than half the price and works just as well

Answer 10

I fed my daughter Enfamil and shes a total brainiac. She's not even 3 yet and already does 40 piece puzzles. Don't listen to the people that are going to tell you formula lowers their IQ and they should be breast fed and blah blah blah. Do what's best for your family. I fed my daughter Enfamil formula and shes way more advanced than she should be at 2 1/2!. Hope it helps! =-)