I posted the other day about my supply drop... I got it back up (YAY!) but I want to buy a can of formula just in case this happens again. When it dropped, I used up all of the stuff I had stored. Luckily, I ran out on a friday so I had the weekend home with her so I was able to nurse her all day. But, what if I had run out on a weekday and had to work, with NOTHING to leave behind for her to eat? I can't let my baby go hungry, but it would put a lot of strain on my job to be leaving to feed her (even if hubby brought her to me). So I want to buy the formula as an emergency supply. I have to limit my dairy intake, or she has gas issues, so I think I want to use something that is dairy-free. I want to use powdered, because it is only going to be used in emergency situations, not every day so I don't want it to spoil. What kinds can you recommend? TIA mommas!
I use the Similac Sensitive and it works great for my little gassy baby :) It saced my nights when I switched her from the similac adavnced... Good Luck!
Well I don't have personal experience with dairy-free but I liked the Enfamil formulas (We used Enfacare, Premium, and the original-which I liked the best). For me, they dissolved much easier then any of the other I tried (Up&Up, Parent's Choice, Kirkland, Similac). The worst formula I tried was Similac, or the pre-made versions in the can (even Enfamil). I hated the liquid formulas, they were thick and had a weird color to them. I also have a lot of friends who breastfed but supplemented with formula, and they liked Nestle's Good Start formula.
If you are wanting it as an emergency supply I would look at the "singles" packets. You use one per bottle (or 1 for 4 oz). I think it would last longer in your pantry. I just think opening a big can may lose its freshness sooner. But definately check teh expiration dates, and look to see anywhere if the can of formula states "must use after __ days of opening."
I agree with some of Missy F's observations. Similac was gritty after shaking, and the powder was definately lumpy, and it's not just the organic, it's the regular one too. Enfamil is light and airy, but it never produced excess gas for my baby (that could be because we used Dr. Brown's bottles, and she never had gas issues using them with any formula).
Good Luck! =)
As a daycare provider, I have experience with many different kinds of formulas, even though my daughter was exclusively breastfed. I use whatever the parents bring for their child, but here's what I've noticed:
1. Nestle Good Start formulas (both milk and soy-based) don't disolve easily and are often lumpy after vigorous shaking, to the point of needing to crush the lumps with the back of a spoon before pouring into a bottle.
2. Enfamil formula (noticed this with the milk-based, haven't used the soy in a long time) is very bubbly and produces a lot of gas and foam when shaken to mix.
3. Similac Organic milk-based (no experience with the soy-based organic) is very grainy and doesn't disolve well. You can see a sand-like grit sticking to the sides of the bottle.
4. Besides the recent recall, Similac soy-based formulas have none of these issues to the extent of the others.
I've had babies grow-up healthy on all of these formulas, but these are my observations.
Good luck!
We use Similac (even despite their recent recall)... I think just about every brand has a soy version though.
Just keep in mind... even the powder form of formula does go bad if you don't use it within a certain amount of time after opening it. The Ready-to-Feed liquid, I believe, has a shelf life of 7 days once opened... but the powder has a shelf-life of 30 days (I believe) once opened.
Good luck!
We used Similac Advance with great success and one of my friends used the soy version for her daughter who had a dairy issue.
Supply may drop if you are relying on pumping (there is no substitute for breastfeeding.) So when you notice a drop, the best thing to do would pump/breastfeed more often, which tells your body that you need more milk. If you rely on formula those times, you may find a drop in supply more frequently, as your body may even think you are weaning.
A drop in supply can be caused by hormones, stress, and other factors.
Soy does cause gas (boy does it cause gas! Broccoli soy casserole anyone? LOL) so I'm not sure that soy formula would be a preferable choice when wanting to avoid gas. Is she old enough for goat milk? Babies that have issues with milk tend to do better with goat milk (in fact a friend of mine having a supply problem is giving goat milk formula to her baby, who is only a couple of months old, and doing better.)
I would use an organic formula. You do not want to put all the hormones of regular formula into your baby.
My daughter has the same issues with dairy and reflux. We used Similac Soy until the recall but then switched to Enfamil ProSobee Soy when hers was recalled and amazingly she likes it better and it has almost cured the reflux so I think there may have been some issues with Similac that didn't sit well with her. Anyway long story short Enfamil ProSobee Soy is what I recommend.
Earths best in whole foods, its organic with iron and DHA
Our favorite (and the only one that my son's stomach/digestive system could handle.. Powdered formula gave him TERRIBLE gas. Terrible. And the partially digested proteins in similac, gentlease, & good start did the whole projectile vomit thing) was:
Enfamil Lipil Premixed (Liquid... has a silky texture that just can't be gotten from powdered)
Enfamil also has the "singles" / little tiny cans/bottles that come in 2oz or 6oz (regular mixed can is 32oz)
For non dairy options Enfamil has Nutrimigen & Soy options.
http://www.enfamil.com/app/iwp/enf10/content.do?dm=enf&am...
You really shouldn't go down if you pump etc. Save what you can:) My amount does go down before and durring my period so I make sure to store stuff and if we miss a feeding because we arent hungry I make sure to pump. How old is your baby? Soon you will start cereal and food so it really wont be a problem to store milk:)
