Store Brand Formula

Updated on December 22, 2008
A.F. asks from Menomonee Falls, WI
21 answers

At 6 months I was done bf and started my dd full time on formula. We had supplemented since she was about 4 months with Similac Iso Advanced (the soy) So I was feeding her that when we went to all formula. I recently was at Walmart and was comparing the Parents choice brand and it looked very comparable (including soy based) and at $10 cheaper I was willing to give it a shot. She will take it just fine, except she has started spitting up again - we had this issue when we first started bottle feeding, but it had gone away. Can a different brand of formula cause this? I have not finished the container yet. Should I give it more time? Should I try the Target brand or just bite the bullet and go back to the Similac?

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E.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

Most store brands are a generic for Enfamil brand formula. That could be why she started spitting up again. Give it some time. You can also try mixing the two and gradually switch her to the generic.

It is a huge savings!! I estimated we saved close to $50 a month! I wish I would have known with my first :) (they also sell generic at Sam's which is even a little bit more savings, plus the cans are almost twice the size, that means fewer store runs!!)

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Davenport on

I have 15 month old twins and when they were born 7 weeks early and we had to use a special kind of formula, that was half the size of the regular cans, until they were about 6 months old. When we decided to put them on a regular formula we choice to try the Parents Choice brand because it was very comparable and cheaper. My girls did the same thing for awhile too, but it did stop. We were told when trying it that it is actually made by the Enfamil or Similac companys and they sell it to stores like that so more people can afford it. We used Parent's Choice up til the time they started drinking whole milk and never had a problem. We used the Gentlease one.

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E.S.

answers from Madison on

Our daughter's doctor said that there is a weird additive in the walmart brand, but the target one is fine. We used the target enfamil and like it.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

Switching brands of formula can do this. Try burping her more often and see if that help. Give a little more time on this formula, especially since you said she had the same symptoms when you were on the other kind and they went away. How long that took is how long you should wait with this.

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R.V.

answers from Minneapolis on

We had spit and gas issues with almost every brand but the Target store brand. I would give it some more time, at least finish the can, and see if she gets better. Our Dr. liked the Target brand so that may be another option for you if the Parent's Choice doesn't work out.

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C.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

Our pharmacist told us that the store brand formulas are essentially the same as the name brand ones. Personally, I'd give it a little more time to see if it resolves before switching again. Good luck!

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

My daughter was only breastfed for 2 months (milk allergy) and we did Parent's Choice Lactose Free... We had no problems with spit up but that was really the only one she had for any great length of time.

My only adivce is try to slowly switch her over.... one bottle a day of the Parent's Choice the rest what she normally is use too... after a few days go to 2 bottles a day and so on. I am not sure that would make it any easier on your daughter switching formulas. It does take a week (or maybe more) for the stomach to adjust, babies stomachs are sensitive.

Also call your daughter's doc and ask him/her the best way to switch from one formula to another. Maybe cold turkey is the best are maybe gradually switch.

Best wishes.

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L.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try blending the old with the new for a while (may take a few weeks) it can shock their tummy to do a sudden switch. At the very least, you can mix the cheap with the expensive. My 10mo daughter has been getting parent's choice since 3 months old, we blend in a little bit of enfamil to each can, just because we bought a can by accident - but we do notice if we put too much enfamil in, she gets an upset stomach.

Good Luck and fingers crossed that you can stay with Parents Choice - it's so much cheaper!

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M.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

My youngest spit up a lot when on the Parent's Choice also. We switched to Target brand soy and it worked wonders and saved us a TON!

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B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I used Target formula for my daughter and liked it very much. She had GERD and spit up when we first started using the formula, but once she became accustomed to it she stopped the spitting.

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M.B.

answers from Rochester on

For the comfort and well-being of your child, I would stick with what works best. As it is, you will only be buying formula for another 5 months and then she will be on milk. It is hard on the digestive system to switch formulas, and obviously if you have her on soy formula, she already has digestive issues, so why create more? Good luck.

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K.S.

answers from Rochester on

We had problems with spitting up as well with parent's choice. You can call the formula company that you use- they will send you 5.00 coupons and samples. Also, Babies R Us had good monthly sales where the big similacs were 25.00 and then with the 5.00 coupons we were paying 20.00. We just stocked up then, as the formula companies will send you tons of coupons if you get on their mailing list. We never tried the target brand since we did so well with the similac coupons. Good luck!

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A.B.

answers from Fargo on

When you switch formulas, it can take a little time before your baby's system fully adjusts to it, even if it's "comperable/similar" formula but a different brand. How long have you been giving her the Parent's Choice formula? I'd give it a few more days, personally. Congratulations on your little girl!

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M.R.

answers from Madison on

If you were not having problems on the Similac, I would switch back. I fed my son formula the entire first year, so i appreciate the pain about the cost. We found that buying it at Costco saved us a lot of money - I can't remember exactly what the cost savings were - but the cans are like twice the size for the same price. They also carry the soy kind.

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S.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had heard from doctors that store brands are pretty much the same. We used Target and it was great and so much cheaper. You can also use name brand (such as Enfamil) coupons on Target brand formula!

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K.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

My daughter was also on the Similac soy formula- in a bright pink-red label and we switched her about 2 months ago to the target brand. We love it and she has had no problems. She was a colicky baby and that is why we did the soy. She also has acid reflux but haven’t had any problems with the Target brand.
My mom used to work for Kemps and I know they also make store brand products using the same ingredients but with the store label so I would think it is the same with formula.
Good luck!

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E.I.

answers from Duluth on

try the non dairy formula.
thats all i could think of..

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D.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

We use name brand Enfamil lipil. My husband and I had a serious debate about using generic formula. It's a really tough call because of the huge price difference. For us, the right decision is the name brand despite the extra cost. It is helpful to know that by law all formula is required to meet certain nutrition requirements. Also, no formula makers import from China, so all formula should be as safe as possible.

Good luck with this!

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M.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

Is the Wal-Mart brand soy? You said your daughter was on the Similac Soy so that might be the difference. My pediatrician has told me that the store brand formulas are exactly the same as the name brand ones...save some money if you can!!

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K.R.

answers from Omaha on

I'd keep trying it! We started supplementing with formula on our 7 month old a few weeks ago and went with the Target brand (costs half as much and is the same formula). Anyhow, we had the same problems you brought up for about a week or so - but once he got used to the formula all has been well!

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K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I know that people on here have said it takes maybe a week or so to adjust. But I question if that is really the best for them. Changing brands and types can really seem to affect some children, especially ones that are very sensitive and seem to have tummy issues. I personally would stick to Similac. I ended up doing the same and bought it either at Costco or when on sale elsewhere. I also searched high and low for coupons. My mom even signed up with Similac for coupons...she invented a baby, and gave me them. Not honest, so you may feel better just calling the company and asking for some. Hang in there...

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