Is it ok to use an off brand of baby formula vs. name brand? Is there a big difference besides cost?

Answer 1

isnt really no difference but the cost

Answer 2

It's all regulated by the FDA so it's all the same, health wise. Some will settle better with your baby's stomach than others. Some of the big stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Meijers even have a generic formula that is just as good as the name brands. Save some money and find a generic that sits well with your baby's tummy!

Answer 3

Well, just consider that like with generic or store brand canned or packaged goods, even if it's all say, canned tomatoes, the generic packagers get second or even third choice foods- the best (most expensive) brands pay the most to get the highest quality product, then the cheaper brands get what's left after that, and the cheapest, generic brands get what's left of that. Just because both cans might say 'tomatoes", there can be a very big difference in quality. Go buy a can of Del Monte tomatoes, and a can of Great Value (Wal-Mart's store brand) tomatoes. It's not the exact same product with a different label. I'm sure the same goes for formula. Just because both supposedly carry the same nutrients, it doesn't mean they are the same product at all. I don't think that all you need to think about is that the store brand contains the same key nutrients as the name brands... or that at least those brands 'at least have the minimum nutrients the FDA requires'... Who knows what the filler might be? Is that really what you want to give your baby?


*I don't understand the "thumbs down"... you asked if there was a big difference, and if we thought it was okay to use a store brand... Even though most of the others think it's okay, I don't, and thought you deserved to know why...

Answer 4

Most generic brands of formula are made by the same companies that do the name-brand formula (like Nestle). Just like companies like Kellogg and Post make cereals for Kroger, Hy-Vee, etc). There really is no difference other than the design on the label, the price, and the cost. But I agree with a previous poster -- although powder is much more convenient to use and store, the pre-mixed kind is usually easier on baby's tummy.

Answer 5

How old is your baby? I started generic brands after my baby was 9 months old. I didn't see any difference in some store brands. I did notice some store brands produced more gas though. I didn't like the HEB store brand but Target brand was pretty good and Walmart was okay. My son's tummy was picky when he was a newborn and he only did well on the Nestle Good Start. But things got financially tight as he got older and since he was doing well on solids I thought his tummy would be developed well enough so I tried different brands and found he did well even on most generic brands.

Answer 6

I have used the "generic" brand of formula with my last two boys. I get the Walmart Soy without the DHA and ARA because my pediatrician said those are fancy words they put on the label to make you pay more, but doesn't really "do" anything for baby. I use the powder and it saves us alot on buying a name brand. I did nurse both boys for awhile but then my milk dried up. I would still be nursing (saves money cause I'm free!), but I am glad they have that available. It's called Parent's Choice.

Answer 7

All baby formula has to be approved by the FDA. That means that they'll all have the same basic nutrients which meet at least the minimum standard set by the FDA. The reason that the name brands cost so much are all the freebies they give away, the coupons/checks they send out, and the national advertising campaigns that they do.

Answer 8

Not usually. It's probably the same formula, just like with canned food brands (for lack of a better metaphor). Sometimes different brands may have different additives or added things that give extra 'nutrients' or whatever...

Answer 9

You can compare ingredients, and in most cases, they are all the same. In a middle of the night emergency quick trip to the local Walmart, my husband accidently grabbed the Walmart brand of formula, our baby did just fine.

Answer 10

I had a friend who researched it and said the Sams off brand is the best with the most DHA & ARA or whatever those things you are supposed to want are. I compared the ingredient list and it was the same down to the less that 1% items on the Target brand compared to Enfamil.

Answer 11

Ther is no difference but the cost, I would use Carnation Good Start it is easy to digest, so the baby has less spit up and less gas. The formula is cheaper Wal-mart. Best Wishes on your new baby!