Formula Brand Suggestions for 6 Month Old Breastfed Baby

I used the Target brand for all 3 of my kids. All were breastfed and had no problems. In a pinch I had to use other brands, but always went back to Target because it is cheaper and the ingredients are regulated by the FDA, so not much difference between them. Besides, I am ALWAYS picking up diapers at Target, so it is convenient for me to get it.

I us Good Start with DHA and AHA or whatever those additions are. I rarely need to use formula. I think there is a cheaper version of the same additions in Similac. It might be Similac Advance or something.

I have used the Target brand formula. Is not expensive and my baby is very healthy. He loves it.

My daughter had colic and I breastfed til 4 months then had to work full time, switched to good start but she absolutely never would take a bottle. The day care person I started her with when I went back to work had to feed her with a syringe and eventually she gave in when she got to be so hungry. It came down to a battle of who would give in first. I recommend Good start-and if you have problems-then I also recommend someone other than you feeding with the bottle til it takes. Best wishes

I'm sorry your little boy is giving you a hard time about taking a bottle. My 8 month old was the same way!

We decided one weekend that she HAD to learn (she was about 6.5 months) and so we had bottle boot camp. It was easier if I just left the house so she couldn't smell the alternative (me) and my husband offered her the bottle. She held out for a while, but when she got hungry enough, she ate it. We also gave her baby food that day (not for the first time, though) so she was never starving, but she gave in and took a bottle after that. I do still nurse her, but she switches fine between the two.

I give her Enfamil because I had coupons. We used Good Start with our son.

Good luck, they CAN learn!

With my daughter we had to do 1/2 breastmilk and 1/2 formula at first and we used Nestle Carnation Goodstart. She didn't want anything to do with formula at first but eventually got used to it. Goodstart is supposed to be the closest thing to breastmilk and I plan to use it again this time if I run into a supply problem. Also a trick about bubbles - don't shake the bottle too hard, there will be less bubbles in it.
Good luck!!!

It's probably the bottle, not what's in it. You need to wean into the bottle. I would have someone else give them the bottle at first, then ease into you giving it to him.

Maybe you want to try some of the liquid formula and see if that makes a difference. We ended up doing part formula with my daughter and the hospital supplied bottles of liquid formula to get started with. We used Similac until she was about 9 months then started trying some other brands. They were all fine. Similac had been re-doing their formula so it gets less foamy. My one hint is that with the organic the water needs to be warm, the rest mix up well with room temperature. We are lucky in that our baby would drink it cold - I know some others who refuse unless it's warm.

And we used Avent bottles.

I had the same problem with my son. He never had any formula until he was 9 months old, then I suddenly stopped getting along with the pump and we had to start using something. He would have nothing to do with the regular Enfamil or Similac. The lactation consultant said to try the Enfamil GentlEase (or something like that-pink/purple container)because it was closest to breastmilk of any formula on the market. My son wouldn't take that either, however. Finally the pediatrician recommended Nestle GoodStart, and he's been fine ever since. Good luck!

I have 3 boys, 2 of which would never take a bottle, even with breast milk! So, with my 3rd, now 9 months, I wanted to try harder. But then he started to follow the same path. so, I started putting breastmilk in a cup when he was 4 months old, and he loved it! With all 3 I had to do that, and they were expert with cups by 6 months. They love to hold the 2 handles on either side. They have ones with really soft spouts now, very similar to bottles. And now, after the help of the cup, my baby will take a bottle when it is needed. I also did the half breast milk and half formula to help transition and that has been working good.
Good luck!

We also used Good Start on the advice of our pediatrician and have been very happy with it. When I first started switching him to formula we did it gradually -- alternated pumped breastmilk bottles with formula -- and we had very few problems. He was a little constipated at first, but our pediatrician told us to give him a couple of oz of apple juice whenever he was uncomfortable and that did the trick. Oh, and our ped also said that you don't need the DHA/AHA with older babies, so that saves some $. Just go with the purple can.

We always had the best success with Nestle Good Start when switching to formula. Before the Good Start we also tried Similac and Enfamil both of those made my boys pretty gassy.

Hello R., my name is leighanne and i have used the Target Infant Formula with both of my kids and they did really well with it. My first son was even a formula and breast feed baby till he was 8 months old. He did really well on it. Good luck and i hope you find what works for you.

I'm going to have to agree with the Nestle GoodStart formula, it's the only kind I've tried that doesn't foam up when you shake it up! And I used the Ventaire bottles as well, they're pretty nice. I breastfed for 9 months and to get my daughter to drink formula I had to start by adding 1/2 breast milk, and 1/2 formula, and gradually I got to straight formula. Hope this helps!

The best bottles that will make a smooth transition are the Playtex Nursers that use the plastic collapsible liners (they are actually designed for nursing babies). My daughter won't use any other bottle now. As for formula I started off using the Enfamil Lipil (highly recommended by all my friends) and now I buy the Target brand version because the ingredients are exactly the same at half the price. Hope this is helpful.

M.

Pick a brand and stick with it. I know alot of people like one brand than try something else and their tummy's aren't use to a differnt brand or whatnot. Generic is fine if your on a tight budget it is all regulated by the FDA and has the same ingredients.

As far as bottles I really like the Playtex Ventaire worked great with my daughter and great with the kids at a daycare I use to work at. It helps with gas.

A little trick to help with gas is to not shake up the bottle to mix the formula take a butter knife or something and stir it to mix the water and formula.

My 2 1/2 year old switched from breast milk to Nestle Good Start without much problem. He did have some difficulty with constipation but an ounce of prune juice mixed with an ounce of water kept him regular for that first month of transition.

Also, I have a newborn now who is exclusively formula fed and I'm using Target's house brand formula (yellow can) it is the same exact ingredients as Enfamil for half the price.

Best of luck!

We had similar issues when I stopped nursing our baby. We tried a few different brands, and the only one that was gentle enough for her little stomach and digestive tract was Enfamil GentleEase (s/p?)- its in a purple canister. I know you have received a lot of suggestions to use Nestle Good Start, but I have read/heard some horror stories about several serious problems that company has had with their formula. Just make sure you do a little research before you decide on a brand.

Good luck with school! R.