Any Moms Concerned with Sweetener in Similac Organic Formula?

Hi C.,

First of all I had a baby girl in April and we named her C.! With my first baby we supplemented breast milk with Goat Milk instead of formula, the formulas out there have so much sugar and other things in them that aren't so healthy. My pediatrcian (very conservative) ok'd it with adding a pinch of Brewer' yeast as that is missing in the goat's milk as far as what the baby needs...my first loved it and digested it well, Meyenberg is the brand at most health food stores: Lassens Lazy Acres, Whole Foods and Trader's has goat milk too....hope this helps.

S.

Hi C., i can't speak specifically to the sweetener in the organic Similac, but I can speak to having a son in the 75th-80th percentiles for height and weight. My son is now almost 29 months old and started out in the average range - 19 1/2 inches and 7.11 lbs at birth. He was on formula and breastmilk (both) from the beginning because he was jaundiced and because I just never produced enough breast milk. He quickly jumped into the 75th and 80the percentiles for height and weight and has stayed there consistently. Anyway, at his 2 year check-up he was 80th percentile for height and 75th percentile for weight, so I asked the pediatrician if I should be concerned. He said not to worry at all because the ratio was perfect. Also, as he grows, I'm noticing him really streching out and looking much leaner, and his weight is still abolutely where it should be according to the books and my pediatrician. We used Enfamel formula (not organic, even though I try to do organic as much as possible) and your peditrician is right; when I checked the labels of the formulas, they all had sweeteners in them. I'm not sure if this helps or not, but I hope it will put your mind at ease a little bit. Your son is very lucky to have such a great mom! All the best, R.

Instead of formula you might try goat milk. I used it when I could not breast feed my children. I don't trust formula myself. You might be able to find fresh goat milk or get it at Trader Joes.

Please for god sake don't make your own formula ! It's nutritionally void and pathogenically unsafe !

I personally like Nestle's Good Start . I also eat mostly organic but the cost/benefit ratio is high especially if you are only supplementing. All formulas do have to meet FDA safety regulations so the difference in content is negligeable. I don't think the formula you are currently using will detrement your baby's diet , I mean he isn't refusing the breast milk right :)

Good luck,
J.

You're right to not trust your ped on this- they get kickbacks from the formula companies. Organic cane juice is one of the best natural sugars that is available, and all formulas are sweetened, but they could be upping the amount to get babies to eat more, ie parents buy more. There are other organic formulas out there, probably cheaper, too- try Earth's Best. What your ped's office told you is essentially true, though- all formulas are essentially the same and they are strictly regulated by the FDA to assure that they provide enough of the right nutrients for babies. The best thing to do would be to find a generic/store brand that has an organic choice, but I can't think of one- wait, I know the Von's O organics line makes formula. The point is, when you pay more for formula, you're usually paying for advertising.

Also, unless you're doing it for convienience or your baby has an immune disorder I wouldn't buy the liquid- it is WAY more expensive than powder, and other than the fact that the liquid is sterile (which only matters for premies and kids with immune disorders because the stomach isn't a sterile environment) they are the same.

I use Earth's Best organic formula for my twins. It's the only truly organic baby formula on the market, even though SImilac claims to be organic, it's not entirely true. I used it for a week or so until my pediatrician told us about the usage of cows that have been given antibiotics in Similac. I'm not sure about the using of artificial sweeteners, but I wouldn't doubt it.

I order my Earth's Best formula online by the case because I go through so much, but it's available at natural food stores and Whole Foods.

Hi C.!
That is a very good point to bring up on the message board. What I suggest to my clients is to make their own formula. There are recipes that you can find through google. Here is an example of one liver based recipe:

3 3/4 cups homemade beef or chicken broth
2 ounces organic liver, cut into small pieces Note: It is VERY important that the liver be frozen for 14 days before using.
5 tablespoons lactos
1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis
1/4 cup homemade liquid whey (See recipe for whey, below)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon cod liver oil or 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver oil
1 teaspoon unrefined sunflower oil
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon acerola powder
(bifidobacterium infantis is a good bacteria)

Add gelatin to water and heat gently until gelatin is dissolved. Place all ingredients in a very clean glass or stainless steel container and mix well. To serve, pour 6 to 8 ounces into a very clean glass bottle, attach nipple and set in a pan of simmering water. Heat until warm but not hot to the touch, shake bottle well and feed baby. (Never, never heat formula in a microwave oven!) Note: If you are using the Lact-Aid, mix all ingredients well in a blender.)

Here is another website for homemade formula:
http://www.naturodoc.com/library/children/formula.htm

Yes, it is a lot of work, but at least you know what is in it...

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DO THOROUGH RESEARCH ABOUT MAKING FORMULA BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO GIVE IT TO YOUR BABY!!

All the best to you and your baby!
M.

Dr Sears (The son of the Author) came to my MOPs group and spoke about nutrion of children birth to 5 years (and beyond, but emphasized how mush those first 5 years set a pattern for life). He recommend Organic when ever possible, and the use of Cane Juice or Xylitol instead of refined sugars or artificial sweeteners.

I believe that he was well researched in his views and think that Cane Juice is a better option than many of the other sweetening options there are. So, I believe that if you were to call the Sears pediatric office (in Orange I believe), they would tell you that of all the formula choices, you have chose the best option available for your child.

I think what Similac is doing is wrong in terms of sweeteners, but in terms of your child's health I am sure the formula is just fine. I looked into the controversy and it seems the problems would arise if you try to switch off the formula b/c others won't be as sweet. If you are concerned, I would make the change early. There are other organic formulas out there. They may cost more but if you are truly concerned I would make the change.

C.

C.,

I have heard the controversy and if it were me I'd simply switch to a different brand of organic formula. You can find them at places like Whole Foods, Wild Oats and Sunflower Market. There are other brands and I think Similac is the only one with a questionable sugar source.

I was fortunate to be able to breastfeed both of my kids exclusively (I work full time so that meant lots of pumping) so I don't have all that much experience with formula but I have seen a couple of different brands so it shouldn't be too hard to find something else.

T.

Try Baby's Only Organic Formula by Natures One. http://www.naturesone.com/

What Brandis R said ; ) And I'm adding a few things:

Looking at Earth's Best and regular Enfamil Lipil, they both have the same sweetener, which is lactose, milk sugar. It appears that Similac Organic has added the evaporated cane juice which is baiscally, sugar. It did not go through the refining process but it still is the same ingredient, sugar. It is used a lot in natural foods so people think they aren't eating sugar, but they are.

Regular Enfamil Lipil is pretty similar to Earth's Best as far as no other added sweetener, but it is not organic.

If you look at the carb counts on all of these (including the Similac Organic), they are all similar, but I would still be wary that it is adding extra sweetener (the cane juice) that is not needed.

Even with all that being said, I highly doubt your 2 month old is growing too fast because of the extra cane juice. I'd probably switch formulas because I don't like that ingredient, but your baby sounds like his size is fine. His height and weight are proportional. Of course he is growing fast -- he is an infant and they go through NORMAL growth spurts.

I would also advise against using any type of homemade formula. It is difficult to replicate the proportions that are used in the formulas, and this balance is crucial to health. The Earth's Best formula seems like it would be the best. Wish they had that when my kids were babies.

The problem isn't the sweetener, per se but the amount. How high on the list of ingredients is it? All formulas contain something to sweeten it because breast milk is very sweet, naturally. (Have you ever tried it?) Similac is notorious for creating even non-organic formula that contains a lot of sugar/sweetener. In the non-organic kind, it's not the cane because they use something non-organic. Is there a reason you're giving formula in addition to breast milk? Unless you have an abnormal shortage, breast milk is food enough. Yes, formula fed babies tend to be like little "hulks." People think wow my baby is so healthy but it's overkill.

I think it's so great that you're asking this question C.. Almost every formula has LOTS of sugar in it in some form or another. Just because something is FDA approved doesn't mean it's good for your child. I've tried to convince mothers not to use Similac but I'm always told, "Oh, that's what they gave us in the hospital." That doesn't mean anything. All it means is that they've got a good relationship with their Similac representative and have gotten the stuff for free. The ONLY formula I've seen that doesn't have sugar is Earth's Best. It's organic too. Even Baby's Only Organic has Brown Rice Syrup. That's not the worst thing, but why give it to them? My daughter took EB and didn't have any problems - super healthy, etc. I found it at Whole Foods and sometimes Gelson's. I would keep going to the manager and requesting it and finally they started to carry it.

Hi C. - I use similac once per day so I can have a stash of my milk in the freezer. I was soo excited to see organic similac and never considered reading the ingredients as I assumed it would be similar to the original formula except with organic ingredients.

The nite i went to feed my daughter, the formula was a little hot when i tested it on my wrist, so I licked it off and was astonished how sweet it was (compared to my milk or original similac) and immediately went to the can and saw that the cane juice was a primary ingredient and was FUMING!

Sugar is addicting and certainly something I don't want to feed my little girl. For the record, personally I could give up caffeine, alcohol, sushi, etc during pregnancy, but could never kick my chocolate habit (i eat a dark chocolate bar every day. I'm just lucky not to be over weight. But it's ridiculously difficult for me to kick sugar!!

I'm convinced they put in sugar so our babies will be addicted to their formula. I'm so happy I caught it quickly and went back to original. Would prefer organic but not loaded with sugar. Do a taste test yourself, you'll be surprised.

i breastfed my daughter for 5 months and supplemented with similac organic formula from the beginning. when she was weaned, she was on the organic formula until she was 11 months or so. she is now 14 months and is happy as a clam. she's in the 90th percentile for weight and height, but she is super healthy and i have no concerns. at this point, she eats pretty much anything we do. drinks milk, juice, water --
i also have a 6 year old boy(the organic formula wasn't around back then) and he and his sister are always up for something to drink, but i really don't think it has anything to do with the formula. they are active kids living in southern california where it's hot a lot. i really don't think you should worry about using the formula. my son was high in the percentile as well when he was a baby, but he normally leaned out and has a beautiful body, is healthy and very athletic.
what your children eat and drink is up to you for the first several years. i think, if you make anything too big of a deal to eat/drink or not to eat/drink---THEN it becomes a problem. we allowed our son to have sweets now and again--whenever we had stuff and usually after a meal, but sometimes before---and you know what?---now, he often, when asked if he wants something cake or brownieish--he says "no thank you"--and would rather have watermelon or something of that nature.
please don't worry and CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby.
it's quite a ride!

I also only eat organic and when my daughter needed a supplement to breast milk I used earth's best as it has no sugar (not even cane sugar) and is organic:
http://www.earthsbest.com/products/product/1665.php
You can buy it at Whole Foods and Ralph's and some other grocery stores.
Hope that helps.

Babies are perfectly fine on nothing but breast milk. Just stop the formula feeding. Your baby will be much better off for it and you can pump for the times that you cant feed him.

Hi C.,
My son was adopted so rather than go with formula we opted to make our own homemade organic formula. I know it sounds cumbersome, but it really isn't that difficult, it's the closest thing to breastmilk and my son thrived on it! Here is the website for the recipe. http://www.westonaprice.org/children/recipes.html
You're lucky in CA you can actually find raw, organic milk. I had to order it and pay for shipping!!! However after I did the math, I saved so much money than spending $20-$30 a week on formula. Something to consider??

Best wishes,
C.~

http://www.ToxicFreeFamily.net
http://www.HelpUStayHome.com

We eat mostly organic in our home too, but I never did the "organic" formulas for either of my kids. Once I read the labels, i decided it wasn't worth the money since the formulas are not entirely organic. Only a very small portion of it is. I think the only ingredient that it organic in them is the milk product. Otherwise they use the same chemicals and non organic ingredients as the regular formulas.

With that said, if I were to do the organic formula, I would opt for the Earths Best over the Similac. I didn't read the Earths Best label, but I did read the Similac one. And since I like all of the other Earths Best items, I would go for the Earths Best. You can get "organic" formula at places like Henry's Marketplace, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Ralph's, Albertsons, Wal Mart, etc. Just check out all the labels, even the some of the store brands are labelled organic, and pick the one that not only meets all the standard requirements, but also has the most organic ingredients. And definitely do not choose a formula that has artificial sweeteners in it. At least cane juice is naturally made.

Good luck!

I would not be too concerned, since most formulas contain high fructose corn syrup which is TWICE as high as cane sugar (glycemix index)...not to mention, it's NOT corn, which is highly allergenic.

Breast is best....what can I say?

My expierence with this product was that my daughter breaks out in a rash after drinking it. The regular similac advanced is fine with her but for some reason the organic gives her trouble. Maybe its the sweetner....good to know.

Hi C., don't be to concerned, I believe organic is the way to go, we do a lot of organic, there is also organic baby food as well. You are giving your baby a good healthy start in life. J.