Question on formula

I've been exclusively breastfeeding my munchkins but yesterday my MIL watched them for a bit and they ate quite a bit if EBM out of the bottle...way more than I pump at a time. They slept better, seemed less fussy and more content all day. I don't have a lot of EBM and I have a lot of appointments coming up so I didn't want to use a ton for "practicing" but I gave them two bottles yesterday after they left (one in the evening) with a little formula mixed in. I'm trying to get them used to the taste of formula to take the pressure off me to have EBM supply. We have a lot going on now (having to move quickly among other things...lots of stress so worried about supply too) and I'll need to depend more on other people to help me feed them. SO I'm going to give myself a pat on the back for making it 4 months of exclusively breastfeeding and start supplementing quite a bit. I just cannot be tied to the couch all day (they eat frequently I'm guessing because I don't make a lot at a time). ANYWAY...sorry for the long back story :blush: my main question is on formula brands. I did have them taking Enfamil Gentlease when they were little and the DR wanted me to supplement. It never went well...they hated the taste of it. I thought maybe I'd try something new and see if they would deal with the taste so I tried the Nestle Good Start yesterday and did about 1/3 formula to 2/3 EBM and they had no problem with it. My Pedi gave me tons of different samples (Similac Advance and Sensitive also). I'm trying to figure out:

1) Is the Good Start a good formula (since they seemed to like it)

2) Is it more expensive than the others or less

3) For those of you who use WIC, is this formula on their approved list (we are considering applying for it)

 

We mixed formula and BM when they were little. It worked well for us. We used the Enfamil, regular kind not the gentlease. We did try the Good Start, but it made them really gassy and it was the most fowl smelling gas ever. So we didn't use it for long. Not sure on the prices as compared to the other brands, we always got our Enfamil at Costco and that was the best deal. You can also sign up with most formula companies and they will send you coupons in the mail.

 

I'm not much help on tastes of formula or prices, since I've pretty much always done formula and have never paid for any of it (WIC), but I think the Goodstart would be less than Enfamil, but I'm not for sure on that. But I do know that, at least from my experience, WIC requires you to get only one specific formula, and it depends on where you are. Where we lived before, we were required to get the Enfamil (and they'll let you get whatever variety you need of the brand, I think), and then we moved...here we have to get Similac. They didn't have a problem switching at all.

 

We mixed BM with Neosure for calories. They did well with that. I agree that you can sign up online with most formula companies and they will send you samples and lots of coupons. Plus your Ped should have samples too.

 

Our WIC only offers Good Start unless the Dr. requests a special formula (like kinds for reflux/etc). On the other hand, my ped to me to use anything but Good Start. I think it was more about the company Nestle than the formula. Nestle did some shady things in Africa many years ago and I'm pretty sure that's why she steers her patients away from their products. We used Similac and got a lot of coupons from them. Did your ped give you the form to fill out to get 2 free cases of Similac?? It's a special that they offer only to parent of multiples and the Dr. has the forms.

 

I use (and did with the boys to mix bottles of bm (2/3) with formula (1/3) for daycare) generic Target, Parent's Choice or Sam's brand...it's essentially the same as regular Enfamil.

 

Good job making it this long EBFing!! Huge pat on the back for that! I really admire moms who EBF twins. (I only made it 3 days before we started supplementing! )

Our boys use Nestle Good Start Supreme in the green can (natural cultures). Our pedi said it's her favorite. We tried a whole bunch of others--Parent's Choice, Similac, and Enfamil--but I think the Good Start Supreme is the best for our boys. And it is more expensive than a lot of the other brands BUT yes, it is WIC-approved. WIC is a huge help when you have TWO babies on formula!!

 

Great job BFing! We ended up on Parent's Choice(Walmart brand) formula.

 

My babies are on the Good Start w/Natural Cultures also. Yes, they produce some seriously foul-smelling gas.. but I'd rather have stinky toots than unhappy babies. They were started on Enfamil Lipil w/Iron but it constipated them something awful. Their pediatrician recommended the GS formula, and our WIC in Oklahoma covers it. (10 cans a month per baby..) The only thing I DON'T like about the formula is it kind of has the consistency of flour and tends to stick together so when you scoop it out of the can you have to be careful for gaps in the scoop or else your water to formula ratio isn't right and they're not getting enough calories. (Their pedi warned me of this, and its totally true. Just have to tap the scoop a bit.. lol!)

And GOOD FOR YOU for pumping and breastfeeding for 4 months, I admire you and envy you at the same time! I just didn't make enough for 2 babies.

Melina