Similac vs Generic

M.,
I did some research and found that most all "store brands" of generic formula are all made by PBM Nutritionals in Georgia,VT. I know this is the case for Target, WalMart, Cub, and CVS, and I believe Sams Club too. What this means is you can compare the "code" on the bottom of the cans and get the same formula at any of these stores and can get the one with the best price. What I have found is that the same formula is cheaper at Walmart than at Cub and Target. I feed my daughter the Parents Choice brand, have had no problems, and am very thankful for the $$ I have saved.
C.

I feed my son Similac at home, but the generic walmart version at daycare, he had no prblem switching between the 2.

I have an unopened can (12.9 oz) of Isomil Advance that my day care provider got as a free sample. I'd be happy to pass it along if you'd like it!

Yes. All formula companies are pretty much the same. When people say you are paying for the shiny label they aren't kidding. The container the formula comes in costs more to make than the formula it's self. Most store brands are made by the same company that makes a designer formula. Sometimes there are differences in the casein to whey (milk proteins) ratios which might affect a sensitive baby. You might want to mix the two brands together for few days just so it's an easier transition.

Of course it's OK! I use the Target brand formula that is comparable to Enfamil at less than half the price and my baby doesn't seem to know the difference.

We switched from Similac to Target brand with no problem. I would assume the walgreen's one would be no problem either.

M.,
I'm not an expert on formula, but I do know that the government closely regulates formula and pretty much all formula is the same because of how closely regulated it is. Mostly the difference between brands is the shiny label.
Although, kids do react differently to different formulas, just pay attention as you change to make sure all is still well.

Hi M.,

I hate to be the agonist here, but based on my experience I have a different view of generic formulas. I'm a pharmaceutical chemist and have interacted with the team of reseachers at the Carnation formulation team in Eau Claire, WI, so I speak from a scientific basis. Yes, all formulas are regulated by the FDA and contain virtually the same ingredients. It's HOW those ingredients interact for optimal absorption that varies. Ever wonder why Similac can work for one baby and not for another? It's HOW their body is responding to the milk/soy proteins and added nutrients. Based on input from health experts we have always used Enfamil with Lipil for our children. The extra expense has been well worth it in our children's development. Good luck with your decision.

S. P

Yes it is perfectly fine. I asked this question to my pediatrician and he said they all have to be FDA approved so they all are basically the same. We used Parents choice (walmart brand)Major savings!!! Just try it and see how your son reacts to it. My son did great,but my daughter didn't. There must have been a preservative in the generic brand that constipated her,so she has to have Similac.
HTH,
A.

When my daughter was a baby (she is now 18 months) I was using the same formula. We talked to our daughter's pediatrician about switching to the Walgreen's generic brand. The doctor told us that the formulas have the same ingredients. You are just paying more for a brand name. We switched her immediately and had no problems.

Watch the Walgreen's flyers. We stocked up when they put their formula on sale. The regular price is very reasonable ... the sale price is even better!

hi M.
I is absoultly ok to use generic. most of the time generic formula is made by the same manufacture as name brand so they are mostly the same just a diffrent lable and package.

Yes it's ok.

Infant formula is highly regulated by the govenment, resulting in formulas that are almost identical no matter what brand. The only thing we noticed with the switch was that it was harder to shake it well enough to get rid of any and all clumps and it's important to have the formula dissolve completely to provide the nutrition it claims. Not only did I save money, but my arm got a good work out!

I think as far as what's shown on the label nutritionally, they are the same....it's the rest of what's in it that's different...fillers, etc that may not be of the same level of quality. It's easy for me to say that I would only give my kids Enfamil Lipil because they were primarily breastfed so I didn't mind spending a little more on our occasional formula use. I do recall talking to my lactation consultant a little bit about formulas with my first child and she had a similar response to the woman that posted who works in pharmaceuticals. Good luck!

I am a childcare provider and I serve Members Mark (Sams Club) or Parents Choice (Walmart) Formula. They are all nutritionally approved by the gov't. food program. The majority of the parents that come in to my care transition their children to one of the formulas that I provide instead of supplying their own and there have been very few transition issues. Your child may experience a little more or less gassiness or movement issues while making the transition but, changes are common whenever introducing a new food. Can't hurt to try...

We switched from Similac to Costco's generic (Kirkland). Our daugther had no problems, and the bonus was that two big cans (25 ounces) for $19.99 compared to one big can for $26 of Similac. I don't think there is anything wrong with switching to generic, especially if you compare the labels and they are similar.

That should be fine- you may want to double check with your baby's doctor first...