Baby formula which is better? Name brand or store brand?

I asked my daughter's pediatrician this same question at our last appointment because I was thinking of switching her from Similac Advance to a generic.

He said that because of FDA regulations, infant formulas are required to have certain nutritional requirements. You can compare the labels on the brand name and generic to see what levels of each nutrient/vitamin/mineral each kind has. You will see that the nutritional components are going to be similar, if not spot on. Because different formula companies may use different ingredients to achieve the nutritional requirements, there may be something in one kind of formula that your baby is sensitive to that is not in another kind and there's no way to find out until you try it.

He did say, however, that from a philosophical standpoint, he prefers the brand name formulas because those companies spend money researching and developing formulas for special needs infants, such as PKU, and doing basic research on infant nutrition in general. Research and development (R&D) is very expensive and the special needs formulas are only used by a segment of the population so the brand name companies so they hardly ever make money on those products. Therefore, all their products cost a little more to offset the cost of R&D. The same is true for why brand-name prescription drugs cost so much more than generic. Companies that make generic products don't invest in R&D, they copy the outcome of all that research to make a marketable product - that's why they can charge less for their product.

That being said, I did end up switching my daughter to generic formula and she has been fine. She didn't even bat an eye, and hasn't had any side effects from the change.

I hope this information is helpful!

Store brand formulas for the most part have all the same ingredients as name brand formulas. And the liquide formula is usually easier on babies who have sensitive stomachs. From what I've heard, it is also a good idea to make powedered formula in the blender in an amount you think you will use in one 24 hour period and then let it set in the fridge untill all the air bubbles have come out before giving it to baby. This is what my girlfriend does and she also uses Dr. Browns bottles. So far, her baby has no gas or colic issues.

"breastmilk is best..formulas are all the same..the same company makes them and each distributor gets to put its name on it..Target, Wal-Mart, Enfamil..etc

the AAP suggests no solid foods before the age of 6 months There is also no benefit to giving juice either...please read the AAP guidelines for infant feeding. It suggests breastfeeding for at least one year"

^ could not have said it better myself. Give this lady the best answer award!

and seriously, your doc said juice was ok? Does he work out of a van?

Enfamil and Parents Choice (from Wal-Mart) with DHA and ARA is the EXACT same thing. If you look at the back label where the ingredients and percentages are labeled, it is the exact same. No other brand I have come across has been even close to the same nutrional values as Enfamil. I have done my research. Parents Choice is about $10 less a can, too. But don't go switching can after can, your baby won't agree with it.

I tried all of the expensive brands of formula and the one that worked teh best was the target brand in the purple can. It's almost half the price and my son has no problems. all formulas are regualted by the fda, so they are the same. My son is flourishing, a big boy 6months old and 20 lbs.

i would only use name brand formula, i am pretty much that way with almost everything, i almost never buy generic stuff.

people on here say all formula is the same but it ISN'T. i have actually compared formulas and while they all need to meet certain requirements there ARE different amounts, if you compare amounts of vitamins, minerals, etc there are differences i compared this organic formula i was thinking of using and nestle good start which i currently use and the amounts were very different so i stuck with good start, it seemed to have more of everything.

that being said i am not a nutritionist and don't know how much of a difference these different amounts make but this has been my experience with formula.

It really will depend on how your son tolerates the other formula. If he doesn't act different when you feed it to him, it should be just fine. I have a 2 year old, all he could tolerate was Enfamil - everything else caused him stomach problems.

You should ask your Dr. if switching formula is ok even if it's switching from a brand name to a generic. It can be hard on your babies belly. I personally use Enfamil with Lipil and breastfeed. I know brand name formulas are expensive but, I trust them more.

breastmilk is best..formulas are all the same..the same company makes them and each distributor gets to put its name on it..Target, Wal-Mart, Enfamil..etc

the AAP suggests no solid foods before the age of 6 months There is also no benefit to giving juice either...please read the AAP guidelines for infant feeding. It suggests breastfeeding for at least one year

Honstly, I am on WIC, and I use what they provide wich is 9 can of similac every month, but my daughter eats more than that, so I but the walmart brand to tide her over until we get wic again!!! She doesn't even seem to noice a difference!!! And my doctor said that if it didn't bother her, than it was fine!!!

Faithful user of Parents Choice formula for 5 months now!