if you FF, what kind of formula do you use?

another formula feeding question... what formula did you start your babies on? (and what made you choose that formula?). if you ended up switching formulas, what did you switch to and what made you switch? there are just so many different 'flavors' of formula... i dont have any idea where to start. thanks,
amy

 

We have actually used just about every formula you can buy. We started with plain old Enfamil Lipil, then went to Prosobee and then Lactofree. That was all in the hospital during their first 4 days of life.

We then went to Gentlease, Then Soy, Then Alimentum, then Soy and finally we have stayed there.

It has been crazy.

Now we are on Cows milk and all is good!

 

My girls came home from the NICU on Neosure (Similac's High Calorie Formula) because they were preemies. When they were 3 months adjusted we switched to Kirkland (Costco brand) formula and it has worked great for us. Its about 1/3 of the price of Similac and Enfamil and its the same stuff! I have read on here several times that the generic formulas are the exact same thing, but they can charge a lower price because they don't pay for all the advertising etc... I would talk to you pediatrician about what would be best for your babies.

 

I didn't buy any before the babies were born. I had every intention of breastfeeding, but knew that formula feeding was an open possibility for me too.

I heard there are so many types and babies all react to them differently. The hospital started my girls on Similac Advance and we were sent home with more than a weeks' worth of samples when we left. My girls ended up having colic, gas, and reflux, so we tried two other Similac formulas that just didn't make anything better, so we went back to the Advance.

My advice to you would be not to spend the money on all of that ahead of time. Take the money instead and buy some gift cards to Wal-Mart or BJ's (the places I found formula to be the most reasonable). The hospital and then dr's office will most likely provide you with samples to get you started.

 

We started off using Enfamil ready-to-feed (RTF) because we got a lot of freebies from the hospital. Then we switched to Similac Advance RTF because it was cheaper at our supermarket. Then (at about 8 weeks) we switched to Similac Advance powder because they sell it at Costco and it's much cheaper.

Our girls did seem to have a fair amount of gas, but nothing way out of the ordinary for newborns, so I doubt it was the formula or the fact that we switched a couple of times.

Don't buy much of anything (if you buy anything at all before they're born) -- you never know if you'll wind up needing to switch.

 

Ethen has been on Nutramigin since birth. Deven was on it as well, then in PICU they changed him to Enfamil 24 calorie. He was on that for about a month then went to regular Enfamil Lipil. Now we need to change him back to Nutramagin because hes showing the allergy symptoms all our kids have shown.

 

the hospital sent us home with Similac Advance (blue container) ready to feed.
THEN we switched to Organic ready to feed when we got home (at about 1.5 weeks old).
THEN we switched to Enfamil lipil (they started spitting up a lot though)
THEN we switched to Similac Isomil Advance SOY & that has been what we stayed with works great for us.
I think it is all trial & error though.
I would start w/ what the hospital provides and if there are 'issues' (fussiness, gas, spitting up etc.) then ask your pedi for suggestions

 

[SIZE=10pt]The NICU had the twins on Enfamil Enfacare while in the hospital. We supplemented with that when I wasn't producing enough. Our pedi advised that they didn't need to be on the high calorie formula anymore. We made the switch to Kirkland brand. When I stopped BF'ing they took to the formula great and we haven't had any problems.

Make sure you talk to your PEDI about samples and any 'twin programs' the formula reps have ~ in our case we got 2 cases of the Enfamil Enfacare plus a few cans here and there.

April [/SIZE]

 

I breastfeed and supplement with formula. At the beginning we used the free samples from the hospital (Enfamil Lipil and Similac Advance). Then we stuck to Enfamil Lipil because I vaguely remembered using it for our DD, and we got free samples from our pedi. But then the boys started to have more gas and we switched to Gentlease Lipil because DD had the same issue around the same age (2-3 months) and a formula with predigested proteins had worked very well for her. It was a different brand but we thought it would not matter and that it would make the transition easier to stick to the Enfamil brand. Well, they don't seem to like Gentlease very much <_<, so we've just bought the exact same one that had worked for our DD, Nestle Supreme Good Start with Comfort protein, DHA & ARA . Hope it will work!

 

They started with Similac(sp?) b/c that is what they were given in the hospital. We then switch to Good Start b/c that is what we get with WIC. No problems switching,which I was worried about.

Dianna

 

Both were on Similac Advance in the hospital. When we got home we used up the free stuff from the hospital and then switched to Enfamil Lipil because we got a bunch free through our pediatrician. After the free stuff was gone, we tried Meijer brand formula and my kids got constipated on it and we went back to Similac (bought at Costco in bigger containers and it was much cheaper). DD had to switch to Enfamil Nutramigen around 1 month till about 6 months. At 6 months we switched DD to Good Start and she did great on that stuff. We ended up switching DS also because it was simpler to have them on the same formula.

I agree with PP about not stocking up on formula before hand. You never know what your kids will take and I would hate to have purchased a bunch of stuff and then not been able to use it.

 

The hospital had ours on Nestle Good Start (you could decide what formula to start on) & we received a bunch of free samples to go home with. At our 1 week appt, we got the Nestle Good Start Natural Cultures (the green can) & lots of coupons for it, so we switched to that. We attempted switching to Similac around 6 mos & that didn't go well AT ALL. Just last week, we started adding a scoop or 2 to each bottle of Enfamil since we have SO many samples to use up. So far it seems ok.

I've noticed that Enfamil & Similac are real bubbly when you shake them up. We needed to let them sit a LONG time to get rid of the bubbles before feeding them. Nestle doesn't do that, which is why we've always stuck with that brand. No need for unneccessary upset tummies just for lower cost (that being said, we have an 'in' at Nestle that gives us GREAT deals).

I agree with everyone else...don't go out & buy formula beforehand. I can't even explain the amount of free samples we've received, let alone the various coupons we get each month. I'd wait & see if I were you....

 

We started with Similac Advance because that is what the hospital gave us. I was bfing but had to supplement with formula. When we switched to ff only (I wasn't producing enough milk), we had to switch Hannah to Enfamil Gentlease because she had a lot of gas problems. I then discovered the generic brand which I can't say enough of!! If your babies like it, I would definitely use generic because it is so much cheaper!

I just switched Hannah back to Similac Advance since her gas problems are gone and it is easier to feed just one formula to both girls.

 

I also had the intention of BFing and never got any formula ahead of time. The NICU put the girls on Enfamil Enfacare (high calorie formula for preemies) and that what they came hom from the hospital on. After 4 months (I think) the pedi said we could switch to regular Enfamil Lipil. They were on that until 2 days ago when we successfully got them on all milk (they are 14 months now).

I agree with pp's- don't buy ahead. The hospital and your pedi may have recommendations based on your particular situation and you don't want to be stuck with a bunch of formula you can't use.

 

I did not buy any formula ahead of time because I had every intention of BFing them. But things changed and when they came home from the NICU they were on the Neosure. Then we got reflux and a milk allergy so we were switched to Alimentum by the Ped.

 

When they were born, the hospital gave them Similac Soy. That made Jake VERY constipated. Their first pedi appointment, she switched them to Enfamil Gentlease. We tried the Target brand of Gentlease and both Jake & Josh became constipated. Jake was still having issues along with eczema, so he was switched to Enfamil Nutramagin which is extremly expensive. We seen no results with the Nutramagin (he was still gassy and still had eczema) so we went back to Gentlease and things have been fine ever since.

My advice is to not buy any formula before they are born. The hospital will supply you with enough to last a few days. After that, just buy a can at a time until you know for sure they tolerate it. We still have 1/2 can of the soy formula that I need to get rid of. And if you do buy in bulk, keep your reciepts because you can return unopened cans.

One other thing, Meade/Johnson the makers of Enfamil has a twins program. Ask your pedi to fill out the form, then fax it in and you will get a case of formula for each baby for free. We actually got one Gentlease and one Nutramagin. Here's the info:

Mead & Johnson
Public Affairs
2404 Pennsylvania Street
Evansville, IN 47721
800-222-9123
www.enfamil.com
You can receive a one time shipment of complimentary formula; one case for each baby.

 

The boys were on Similac Advanced in the hospital, but once we got them home the grunting and gas started. We tried all the formulas on the market, settling on Nutramegin. The one good thing is insurance pays for it. So if you end up with formula issues, make sure to ask your ped about the insurance.

I agree with everyone else, don’t buy ahead of time. You will receive lots of formula to go home with and coupons will start coming in the mail. I would go now to similac and Enfamil to register.

 

I started our girls an Similac Advance Ready to Feed since that is what they were on at the hospital. I came home with a ton of freebie and later received two cases from Similac free (the hospital submitted some forms for this). I later switched to the powder form of it. We know buy the big canisters of it from Costco. I did switch one of my girls to Similac Sensitive since she seemed to be getting really fussy and gassy but I am think of trying ot switch her back to the Advance.

 

QUOTE(foppa2102 @ May 4 2008, 10:32 PM) [snapback]755409[/snapback]
another formula feeding question... what formula did you start your babies on? (and what made you choose that formula?). if you ended up switching formulas, what did you switch to and what made you switch? there are just so many different 'flavors' of formula... i dont have any idea where to start. thanks,
amy


Started on Similac Advance because that is what we had lots of samples of. Babies did great on it. Switched to Target brand version of Similac Advance because it is less than half the price. Babies do great on it. I would HIGHLY recommend doing store brand if you can (if you don't need anything fancy).

 

We use similac advanced because that is what the hospital had. I did not plan on FF AT ALL so I was clueless and took whatever. We switched to similac sensitive b/c they were super gassy from it. We also currently use the ready to feed - it has less bacteria than the powdered. But we will switch to powdered soon most likely.

 

We used Enfamil ready-to-feed that we got from the hospital and then spent LOTS of money buying enfamil for awhile. We switched to parents choice (wal-mart brand) when the boys were about 3 months. Our ped said its all the same except way cheaper!!!