Question about formula for babies, PLEASE HELP!?

Question

Does anyone or has anyone given their baby a store brand formula instead of a name brand. My husband and I cannot afford Simulac anymore and the store brand is $10.00 cheeper. I don't want to take away from my baby, but if store brand is just as good, I need to know. Opinions, facts, or personnal experiences welcome!

Thanks for the answers so far. I've already inquired with WIC and my husband and I don't qualify. We make too much money according to them (over $30,000 per year). I breastfeed for 5 months, but with my two jobs I could no longer keep up with it. I just want my baby to have the best!

Answer 1

I use the Parent's Choice brand formula for my little one, which is the walmart brand. The truth of the matter is that all baby formulas are required by law to adhere to strict quality and nutritional guidelines set forth by the FDA. If you look at the ingredient comparison on the back it is just as good as the name brands, and to be honest I like how this stuff mixes better than the Enfamil I was using before, it's not as gritty and she likes the taste better as well.

Pretty much you are paying the extra $10 to get a name brand because the quality is still there in the store brands.

Answer 2

i to was in your shoes and felt like i was cheating my child by not buying the name brand formula. all i can say is get over it, lol. store brands are just as good as the name ones, and wish i'd come to that thinking sooner. we could have put a lot more money into our daughter's savings by buying the store brand. walmart has parent's choice and if you look on the back with the ingrediants you will see the comparison to enfamil and similac. once i realized this the only reason our daughter stayed on similac afterwards was because with the similac $5 checks we got from the company and the costco price of $22 for a 2lb can we paid only $17 for a 2lb can of formula and it wasn't much different than the store brand price. so if you're really feeling bad about the store brand check into the rebate checks and costco. they don't take coupons but they take the actual checks. but honestly the store brand is and must be just as nutritional as the name brand. good luck, and you are not taking anything away from your baby. i've went through this and our next child will be on store brand after the free hospital freebies are gone, lol.

Answer 3

I've supplemented my wic with store brands on occasion with no ill effect. All formulas are made to the same standards, just proprietary blends varying amongst the brands due to FDA regulations. Parents choice has out an excellent organic formula that is cheap as well as non organic formulas that contain DHA and ARA. Most of the store brands are all made by the same company. Google parents choice for more info on those, the fomula they put out is also the same as the albertsons store brand.

Answer 4

If you cannot afford the formula that your baby needs then go to your local health department and sign up on WIC. It is nothing to be ashamed of to get it when you are needing it. I would ask your doctor before you switch but then again just compare the labels and if everything is the same then go with the store brand.
Similac is expensive. My son was on carnation good start when he was a baby and i thought that was expensive but not compared to similac. 5 years ago a can of carnation good start was 6 bucks (powder) and now it is like 10-12 bucks.
http://www.similac.com
http://www.verybestbaby.com
http://www.parentschoiceformula.com (this is the brand from wal-mart)

Good luck

Answer 5

Store brands, like all generics, are usually made by the same company that makes the name brands. They just don't spend money on advertising or marketing, so they can sell at a much lower cost and still make a profit. Baby formula is so heavily regulated, it's all safe and nutritious (although not as good for babies as breast milk).

You should check with your baby's pediatrician to make yourself feel better -- and if you're having other financial trouble, you should definitely look into WIC supplements -- grocery coupons for women, infants and children.

Answer 6

I changed my son from the name brand to store brand a long time ago. He was having problems with all the name brands, that I finally tried the store brand. He hasn't had any problems since! Unfortunately, they just raised the price by $1 per can, but still a bargain versus the name brand. When you get ready to switch, do it gradually... like mix the two together, so that it isn't a shock to your baby.

Answer 7

My twins are on emfamil but the generic brand that target makes. I have not had a problem with it. Not only that but I am saving a TON of money. The 24oz can of Enfamil is 24.00 and the Target brand is 14.00 dollars. Wow uh! Just a note tho, if you go to generic make sure you find out when they get there shippments because if you come on a odd day they could be out and you could be stuck buying the expensive stuff. Good Luck!

Answer 8

I was in the same boat with my children, don't ever feel you are giving your child an inferior product even though it is cheaper, I found the cheaper brand almost the same, but not exactly. Make sure before you give your child the formula that the ingredients do not differ as they may be allergic to the contents or intolerant to different dosages.
Hopes this helps.

Answer 9

More often than not store brands and name brands are exactly the same. Just look at the ingrediants. If you are still worried about it, you can mix the name brand and the store brand to gradually fase it out.

Answer 10

In my opinion the store brand is just as good as the name brand. Just compare the nutrients label before you buy it.