Baby Formula Questions

masked_rose86

While I hope to try breastfeeding, I have a feeling I will need to someday (6ish months) switch to formula because of my job.

Those of you who use formula, what kind did you use?  I'm tempted to try Costco (Kirkland Brand) formula when it comes to it to save money, but I don't know if store brands aren't always best?  

How much do you spend a month on formula?  DH and I were trying to calculate how much a can of formula would feed our twins.....and we are SO new at this we don't even know how many fluid ounces a can would make.  Let alone how much a baby would eat per feeding (and obviously this changing as they get older).

Help???  TIA!

RoxBride

I'm not a good judge because we went through formula like crazy since DD spit up at least 50 % volume wise.

We used Kirkland brand with no issues. Our pedi insisted everything is marketing hype, and so regulated, that you should go cheap.

tra_la_la

We only supplemented. Around 2 bottles a day for 8 months and 1 bottle a day for 3 months. During that time we would use a little over 1 tub of formula. We used similac because we were given a sample of if at our pedis when they told us to supplement. If I don't nurse next time we will try to use target or costco brand because it is so much cheaper!

I would sign up for similac and enfamil checks and check if they have multiples programs. You will get a lot of junk mail but then you will also get free samples and lots of coupons. If you decide to go with a name brand have your DH or mom sign up too and you get more of their checks. We would also wait until BRU had formula on a buy 2 get a gift card promo, or we would buy it at costco because they took the checks and had bigger tubs.

WonderRed

We started on Enfamil and N was constantly constipated.  Our ped recommended us to switch over to Nestle Gentle at about one month and it did the trick immediately.  We stuck with the Nestle brand until he went on cows milk at 1 year, with the exception of the three weeks we were in Europe and he used whatever brand we could find there. (He was 7 months old and did fine with it.)

Back then there was a lot fo coupon trading on the national boards so I rarely paid full price but we probably went through 2 cans a month, at least, until we introduced solids.  I just know I was grateful to never have to buy formula again when the time came.

todds_wife

It doesn't hurt to try the store brand, why not? Coop ended up having a sensitive tum, so we are all Enfamil Gentlease, all the time. I watch for coupons and try to stack with sales when I can- if the price is good I stock up as much as I can. Cooper is ff, so I spend between 100.00 and 125.00 a month on formula.

ruby soho

We supplement at night and started on similac. LO was super gassy and was in a lot of pain so we switched to gentlease. Right now we are using the target version of it (up and up) and she seems to be doing much better. The up and up is so much cheaper, $20 for a 40oz can. We use about a can a month since she only has formula at night. 

Sunflower22

we used it to supplement at about 8 mos, 1-2 bottles a day, and used the Target Up & Up brand. 

MOONGIRL2467

First of all sign up with programs/companies like Enfamil, Similac, and Gerber. They will mail rebate checks (same as cash), which can be stacked on top of coupons (Enfamil has the best, similac has a few, gerber I've never seen a manufacturer coupon) then, stack those with STORE coupons. 

 

I buy all DD formula at Target where I can use a store coupon, manufacturer coupon (often found in the newspaper inserts or on coupon.com) and use a rebate check. The large 22oz tub of enfamil I get for about $9 (normal price $23-$25).

I haven't bought any formula since November. And I could be set up until late February. BUT..coupons.com just had an amazing coupon for $10  off the 22oz tub, plus the rebate check I have for $5 off, AND babies r us has a deal where you buy two tubs of either enfamil, similac etc and get $5 off.

two tubs~

$50 total

-$20 off manufacturer coupons (2- $10off/tub from coupons.com)

- $5 off (babies r us deal) 

-$10 (I have 2- $5 enfamil rebate checks)

Grand total comes to= $15 for TWO TUBS

Check out the swap spot board on thebump- where you can swap checks/coupons for those that you do need.

Good luck!! I've never tried store brands but you can give them a try  

skidunks

We just started Hudson in some formula a couple of weeks ago. I'm currently cutting out my daytime pumping so after we go through my freezer stash he'll be ff during the day. We just cracked open our first can of Kirkland brand and he had a bottle of it last night so hopefully it works out for him. We used that for Gavin and it worked just fine. Hudson's a little different from G though, he spits up like it's going out of style.

brandall

We used the Kirkland brand with both of our babies.  Just like Rox, our Pedi said that formula is SO regulated that it is not a worry.  I'm pretty sure that I heard that the big 3 formula companies actually make all of the generics too.

ELCJet

I switched D to Gerber Good Start at 6 months after exclusively pumping.  At that point, he was drinking 2 huge tubs of it a week, to the tune of $40 a week.  (With coupons)  If we ever have #2, I will certainly look into the Kirkland brand because it *has* to be cheaper than what we were doing.   

Pesky

My kids ended up 100% FF.  I used Up & Up (Target) brand of Enfamil Gentlease and had really good luck with that with both.  Similac constipated DD.  I've heard good things about Goodstart but don't know if there is a generic option for you.  FWIW the most my kids would eat in a sitting were 8 oz (DS).  I don't think DD got beyond 7 oz in a sitting.

masked_rose86

Awesome----thank you all for your replies!  It is helpful to know some experiences, even though I know every baby is different.