Switching Formulas

For the longest time I would stick with one formula no matter what the price. By the time mine was 6 months or so I decided that was crazy. But I would group the formula. If there was a sale or coupons then I would go a while using one while still buy the ones on sale and then try to use the same in a row. I hope that makes sense. It was 2 years ago. My daughter is just fine.

I stopped breastfeeding at 5 months and tried brandname formulas and boy are they expensive. I tried Sam's club brand and my son is doing great I have also tried Wal-Mart brand same thing. I do add the DHA ceral to each bottle that he is feed. Hope that this helps.

I started my son on similac, and when I tried enfamil he didn't care for it. But, I found the walmart generic was closer to the same consistency, he didn't notice the difference, and was half the price!

I have 5 children, my youngest is about to turn 1, we use Carnation Good Start, it is way cheaper and fills him up. You shouldn't have much of a problem, most likely your baby might spit up a little until he gets used to it. He may not be sensitive at all to the change. Honey, relax babies are quite resilent, I remember how I questioned everything with my first.

There's no reason why you can't switch and try it. Some babies need special formulas due to allergies or reflux or whatever but if he's healthy and you weren't told by your pediatrician to use a special formula, then try a different one. All formula sold in the US is strictly regulated - and therefore it's basically all the same. The generic store brand stuff is just as good as the expensive brand name ones.

Hi M.! I struggled with the same issues! For the first month the dr. kept giving me samples of Similac Advance. After the samples stopped, we realized how expensive it was! When I asked about generic, the dr. discouraged it, but he did not say I couldn't. We made the switch at about 6 weeks with no problems. I have heard of some babies getting constipated with generic, but I am not sure why. I would not suggest switching back and forth, just because the consistency is a little different between the different formulas. Hope this helps!

Hi- I asked my dr and they said yes- but switch and stick to one- with my 1st son I gave him different kinds and he had no problem- my daughter 10mths I switched from similac isomil to the target version- it has all the same stuff and it compares itself to the others and is 10.00 for a giant can- its been 4 months and she is doing great
hth
S.

formula is formula they all are the same

I wouldn't switch brands a lot, but if you want to switch to a cheaper brand, it's perfectly fine. With my first I only used the name brands, but we've been using parents choice (walmart brand) and my son is fine with it. Target also has their own brand that is very affordable. :)

I don't think it will hurt to switch once. See if he tolerates the new formula well, but it is not good to keep switching.

I see nothing wrong with switching to generic formula. I've known several people who have used Target and Walmart brand. I wouldn't keep switching to whatever's on sale. That could upset his stomach. I'd find a generic that has the same ingredients and just start using it. We use generic prescriptions and other generic foods with no problems. Good luck!

i would try it for 1-2 days, if the baby doesn't get colicky or starts vomiting or breaking out in rashes, then i say you're good to go. mydaughter is 5mo. & we had to change her formula quite a bit to find the right one for her. good luck.

I switched formulas with my first daughter. I read the labels and Wal-Mart, Kroger and Target brands were all made by the same manufactorer. So I used them. I transitioned slowly by using first 3/4 Similac and 1/4 store brand, then upping the store brand and lowering the Similac each day until it was all store brand. I had no problems, it was much cheaper, and I could go to any store and buy formula, because it was all made by the same manufactorer. I also checked with the dr. first and he said that basically they were all the same, and that they all met the minimum requirements set by the gov't., so any brand should be fine. That was a few years ago though, so I would check with the dr. again if I were you.

We found the best deal at buying formula was at Sam's club , their brand of formula has the same ingredients , but the can is twice the size as Similac's big can , and the price is around $20 .

Target brand and Walmart brand are the same identical thing. Same manufacturer. They are also the same as similac and enfamil, at least close enough. You can use all of these milk based regular formulas interchangeably with no issues. Stop waisting money on similac. Make sure you get the Walmart with DHA/ARA if getting Walmart. I don't know why they make one without.

Assuming your child doesn't have allergies, you can switch. I know several people who have been successful using the Sam's Club brand as well...it has the same ingredients as Enfamil, I believe. This is not an option for me, as my daughter is allergic to milk protein and can only drink Similac's hypoallergenic formula. She's even allergic to the Enfamil!

Good luck!

We started using the Meijer brand for our daughter pretty early on also. We looked at the ingredients & the percentagees. They may not have been EXACT, but they were so close, I don't see how that could make a difference. We didn't switch at each new container, but we also used the Walmart brand. We didn't have any poblems. Those brands were almost half of the major brands.

If you're really concerned ask your pediatrician. If he doesn't have any issues I'd say try the samples and if there are no problems make the switch. Keep in mind though that the competitor is always going to give better deals than whatever you're using - I know whenever we check out at the grocery store we get "check-out" coupons for the other brand of whatever we're buying (like Huggies coupons if you buy Pampers, Beech-nut jars over gerber and vice versa). I don't think it's good to keep switching to whatever's on sale, but again - this is a good question to ask the pediatrician.

Hey M.. My doctor told us that all the different brands of formuala were the same just different names. I would go ahead and give it a try, but if you have any real doubt, check with your doctor.

BABIES-R-US accepts competitors coupons. We used the Similac too and always received the GOOD coupons from Enfamil. BABIES-R-US took the coupon price off the Similac price.

I wouldn't suggest switching formulas. They are not equal. They may have the same ingrediants but if you look at the percentages - that is where the difference is. Always talk to your pediatrician before doing the switch. I tried it once with both of my kids (going to a generic) and I had sooo many issues with stomach problems and trying to adjust.

Good Luck!

We used Similac, Enfomil and Target brand...whatever we had a coupon for or whatever was the cheapest. Target brand was $10 less per canister than the others. Keep in mind, we had no issues at all with our daughter. We were able to give her the regular formula. If your child isn't having any problems with digestion or allergies to milk, etc., go ahead and switch to the generic equivalent. If you stood there and read the labels side by side, it's practically the same thing. our daughter had no problem with the Target brand or switching between Simila, Enfomil or Target brand.

M. I would try to stick with the same formula. I tried switching formulas and my daughter got extremely backed up. The constipation lasted until i switched her back...different babies different scenarios though. So if you're still having doubts after you read the advice, i would double check with your pediatrician there the only ones who will really ease your concerns.
Good Luck, By the way where do you sign up for similac coupons?

Over 59 years I have found that changing diet can be accomplished if done gradually. The new formula sounds just as healthy, don't shock your childs body by doing all at once. Consult your doctor or his nurse for their imput.
K.

Started with Similac. Tried Enfamil (projectile vomiting). Changed to Target brand for the cost savings... never turned back. My son actually does better on the generic than the name brands. Pediatrician is OK with it.

I think that it is ok to switch formulas, but be prepared for some reaction. You may also want to check with your pediatrican first to get their opinion on the new formula.

I also recently switched my son to Baby's Organic Formula from Organic Similac because Baby's Only (available online or at Whole Foods and Wild Oats) is only $10 a can and the nutritional benefits are the same. Similac is outrageously expensive.

Nevertheless, we had about a week or so of some spitting up, but he is ok now. It also took him some time to get used to the new taste.

I only use formula to supplement, and only use about 4-8oz a day, so a baby who drinks only bottles may have more of a reaction, I am unsure. But in my experience, the reaction to the change was mild and worth and decrease in cost.

I used to flip my oldest between Nutramigin and the competitors brand b/c of availability. He seemed to do best if I weaned him over gradually (not sure why - they had the same ingredients - maybe the levels of them were different?) Anyway, hope this helps.

Hi,

I haven't had problems with switching from one formula to the other... with our 4 year old - she loved to drink(eat) her bottles. If we ran out of our monthly supply of WIC formula (Similac) than we would get whatever I had a coupon for. Sometimes we would give her C. Good Start if she seemed to need to go poo-poo and couldn't. With my 2 1/2 yr old he didn't seem to drink(eat) as much... we didn't run out of our WIC formula as often, so I didn't really need to buy as often for him. Now with the baby (9 mo.) we have used a few of the other formulas, mainly the free samples from Wal-mart and he is still being nursed some to... and we haven't had any troubles. I just try to do it like I do when adding a new food to his diet - only start one thing new every 3 to 5 days that way if he does have a reaction I know what he is reacting to!

Good luck - it never hurts to try new thing... just be cauctions when doing so!

I asked my daughters Ped (who is very strict) about this and he said that studies have shown that recently, the generics are ok. He said that five yrs ago he would have advised against it. I started buying the Parents choice (Wal-Mart brand) it's tons cheaper!!

I'd ask your pediatrician, but in my experience switching formula brands didn't make a difference. We started with Similac to supplement b/c that's what the hospital used. When my daughter was about 4 weeks, we decided to try Enfamil and really like it. I read that the forumlas might taste different but nutritionally they are comparable.

Check ingredients, nutrient levels for comparison. As long as your child has not had a problem with formula, it should be fine to change it when necessary. (I raised 3 kids, 2 on formula, one on breastfeeding)

I have switched formulas before and it didn't work out so well for my daughter but for my son he had no problems. With my daughter it made her poop alot!!!!! So after the diaper rashes and sore red butt from wiping her all day I went back to the original. But just make sure that it's the same milk based or soy and my kids doctor said there all pretty much the same. Just read the back label to see if the ingredients and vitamins are pretty much the same.

Hi M.!

I always contacted my pediatrician about changes in formula. However, my son had tummy issues. So I was always worried about changing what I was giving him.

Since their digestive systems are so new and sensitive, I definitely wouldn't keep switching. If price is the issue, I would switch to a generic now. I received TONS of coupons from both Similac and Enfamil during my son's first few months, and then they just stopped. It was like a little tease. I guarantee those coupons will stop coming or lessen in value, like only a $1 off. That's what happened to me. It sucked!

Good luck!

M.,
When my girls were on formula, someone told us to try Walmart's brand - the container says it is similar to the Simlac Advance, and from 4 months to 1 year my girls were on the Walmart brand - which is about 1/2 the price of Similac. Now, with twins, I wish someone would have told us sooner than 4 months.... Good luck. Target also has their own brand.

It is ok to switch formulas but not too often. Try the competitors formula and if your son does fine then switch to that but don't switch again and again because of coupons. Switching too often can mess up the digestive system even though the formulas may have the same ingredients in them. Give it a go and see how it works out.
D.

I am 31 yrs. old. I have been married going on 12 yrs. this Nov. and my husband and I have three boys ages 10,7 and 4.

I would not routinely switch formulas, its too h*** o* the babies digestive track. If you want to use something cheaper you have to find something in your price range, like a Wal Mart or Target brand, and switch over slowly.

I can tell you my son was also on Similac and would have nothing else, I tried a couple times to switch and if it was even mixed in with Similac, he refused to drink it. At 2 months old too, so even at 10 weeks you might not have any luck. Have you tried signing up on Simliac's website for extra savings?

I know how you feel...I think even 6 years ago when mine was on formula it cost about $150 a month just to keep him watered! They sure aren't cheap for how little they are. Oh and a second piece of advice, have you checked with WIC to see if you qualify? They will pay for 75% of the monthly formula cost if your income is low enough, and if any of your kids are on Medicaid they automatically qualify, you just have to go to a WIC office to fill out paperwork and pick up vouchers.

HI M.,

I have heard both sides, that the cheap ones arent' as good and that they are.
I buy organic only since a gastroerentologist told me its best, but I am a hug fan of organic food for I refuse to give my kids hormones, antibiotics, etc etc.

Price isnt as important as quality to me, but maybe ask your pedi if it really makes a difference on brands.
At my Dr's office they gave me a lot of Enfamil samples, they have strong advertising and marketing campaigns and they dominate the market so you'll get coupons for a while.

My sons doctor stated that going back and forth between enfamil and similac is like drinking pepsi and coke or even grape juice versus white grape juice. He stated there truly is not much of a difference and they do have the same ingredients. He told us it would be fine for us to switch back and forth between the two as often as we wanted. He stated the big differences were with going from regular to soy or one of those 2 to good start.

Hope that helps.
T.

Our pediatrician told us to use store brand formula, because it was cheaper and it is made by the same manufacturers. Both my son and daughter were formula babies and are healthy, happy, and active. I recommend Target brand lipil.

Good Luck.

I swithched quite a bit because of prices and the family budget also, I would TRY the new formula for his First bottle of the day to see if it agrees with him and hopefully you wont be up all night with a colicy baby, I stayed away from the pdr. formula until my kids were 4 months and older, for some reason the pdr. made them gassy when they were infants. Also similac has a site www.welcomeaddition.com you can sign up 4 coupons there, you can surf and see if the other companies have sign ups too. PS enjoy every minute of this, it will be over in the blink of an eye :}

M.

Instead of switching all at once mix half of off brand with Similic and gradually keep mixing more of the off brand untill you have switched all together.Hope this works and good luck.

I would first suggest asking your pediatrician about switching formulas. I have three little ones. With my first I would switch between Enfamil and Similac Advance, depending on sales and coupons I had . My son did just fine with switching. My second one seemed to do best with Enfamil. My third is doing best with similac advance. However, I do buy the walmart brand (generic) of the similac advance and it seems to be just fine. It is tons cheaper, too! I think that when babies are real small it may be difficult for them to adjust to digesting the formula if you switch. However, I do think that some of them are very similiar and it would not matter if you switch.
Good luck!

I have 4 children and the last two I switched them both to the generic formula. My dr. told me I should because prices are outrageous on formula. We had no problems adjusting and my son is 2 and eats everything, my youngest is 7 months and still has no problems with eating. Good luck!

M., I breast fed for about 3 months then I put my daughter on Similac Advance. Well Walmarts Parents choice had all the same ingredients and it is over half of the price cheaper. I switched my daughter immediately and she had no problems. Although every child is different I would keep some of the Similac to go back to if you notice a change and only buy one can of the generic kind at first to see what happens. if he has had no problems yet, he should be fine.

I understand about the formula prices. They are crazy. I had to change my son's formula several times because he did have digestive problems. We ended up on Alimentum which is aparently liquid gold. What I found out from a nutritionist is that if you change it should be gradual. She said for 3 or 4 bottles do a quarter of the new formuala and 3 quarters of the old. THe next eight hours do half and half. The next eight 3/4 new and 1/4 old and so on to give the baby a chance to deal with the change. Most formulas are really pretty much the same. Your best bet is to find one that is consistently imexpensive with or without coupons (like wal-mart or sam's brand) and stick with it. Then you don't have to count on coupons to be able to budget it.

Switch the formulas slowly. Mix the old with the new each time or every couple of days slowly introducing the new formula. To eventually, you are completely on the new. If the formula is saying "Compare with Simulac", then it is or very close. The FDA regulates that the cheaper formula has to go through the same testing that the name brand does. If he has no feeding issues then proceed with the change. If you notice any changes in him like extra gas, more spitting up, slow down on the change.

We switched our daughter when she went to daycare because they provided formula, but it wasn't, Similac Advance, what we were using up until that point. We simply transitioned over a three week period. First doing 3/4 similac and 1/4 the new formula. The second week we did 1/2 and 1/2 and the third week we did 1/4 similac and 3/4 the new formula. Then just the new formula. We thought that this way if there was an issue we could see it developing. We might have drawn the process out too much, but we wanted to be cautious and she didn't have any issues whatsoever. Formula is so regulated that the ingredients are nearly all the same from brand to brand.

Hi M.,

We have always switched my son back & forth & he's never had any issues. He's almost 10 months now, so he's been on formula for about 5 months now. I do the same as you, whichever I find onsale & have the check for, that's where I go. I will use all the Similac I have, then switch to Enfamil, then switch back to Similac, etc. Hope that works for you as well!

Christa