BTDT formula moms

So, with LO due in about 7 weeks, I have always planned to BF. Now, I am getting nervous about being able to BF because I did have a breast reduction about 6 years ago and am worried that there may be damage to the milk ducts that will prevent me from BFing. I am going to try my hardest, and will do everything in my power to BF, but in the event it doesn't work out, I'd like to be a little more educated on formula feeding.

What type of formula do you use for a newborn? I assume it changes as the baby grows?

How much do you spend on formula per week?

Best brands and brands to stay away from?

Any tips for formula feeding?

Any specific bottles for formula feeding?

Thank you!

Re: BTDT formula moms

What type of formula do you use for a newborn? I assume it changes as the baby grows? They have newborn formulas but you can use the infant one...they are the same. Any of the brands out there are fine. I started with SImilac cause I had samples but changed to Enfamil Gentlease due to gas issues.

How much do you spend on formula per week? I never really tracked it cause it is what it is.

Best brands and brands to stay away from? I ended up switching to Target version of the gentlease since it was cheaper.

Any tips for formula feeding? No tips really needed. fill bottle and feed. I never put any thought into it...just fed on demand....never counted ounces and worried about him beign "on track" there is no perfect cause each baby is different so ignore the how many ounces compared to another baby....

Any specific bottles for formula feeding? Once again its baby specific. Each will have different likes so just get a brand and see if it works.

Re: BTDT formula moms

My one piece of advice for formula feeding is sign up on all the formula websites and you'll get free samples.

As for your concerns with breastfeeding, you should consider having a consult with a lactation consultant prior to giving birth. They should be able to provide you with some information and guidance to be successful with breastfeeding given your surgical history.

Re: BTDT formula moms

def sign up for the coupons. i started with whatever the hospital gave me at first. (enfamil) then switched to similac because i was using RTF at the rec of my pediatrican and it was easier for me to find similac rtf quarts. Eventually I had to switch DS to alimentum which is more pricey, but the regular simliac rtf at bjs cost me maybe 42 a week (if he was going through a quart a day)

ETA the bottles i used are born free

Message edited 8/27/2013 11:58:29 AM.

Re: BTDT formula moms

What type of formula do you use for a newborn? I assume it changes as the baby grows?

In the hospital they gave her Enfamil Newborn RTF (ready to feed). We put her on Enfamil Gentlease and put gas drops in each bottle

How much do you spend on formula per week?

I don't remember because I always stocked up

Best brands and brands to stay away from?

My doctors office did not recommend one brand over another. Whatever works well with your child. Personally, I recommend using the "gentle" of whichever brand you choose.

Any tips for formula feeding?

Gas drops! We put them right in her bottles. In the beginning they eat so frequently so I wouldn't do it in every bottle but use the regularly.

Any specific bottles for formula feeding?
I liked Playtex ventaire bottle. The bubbles don't build up and reduce gas.

Re: BTDT formula moms

"What type of formula do you use for a newborn? I assume it changes as the baby grows?" There are different types but its just a ploy to make you spend more money. Formula is formula basically. There are different types for different issues the baby may be having. So THATS where it becomes very baby specific.
I know a lot of people who use Gentelease I think its Enfamil but im not sure. I Initially tried Gerber Good Start as per my peds recommendation because I needed to supplement a bit.

How much do you spend on formula per week? In the beginning its not much the most I spent was a case per week $60 (my dd was on ready to feed alimentum which is more than reg formula because its hypoallergenic)

Best brands and brands to stay away from? I don't know that there are brands to stay away from, they all make different types for different issues the baby may be having such as gas or spit up. IF for any reason the baby has a milk protein allergy or intolerance than you would get a hypoallogenic one. I don't know if Target makes this or not. I use Similac Alimentum with my dd because of this issue.

Any tips for formula feeding? Not at all. Just fill up bottle and go. Feed on demand. Start out with a few oz and see how your child does. Does he/she need more? Less? Do they eat smaller oz but more often? Do they take more oz and go longer periods? Its all baby specific.

Any specific bottles for formula feeding? No specific bottles it is based on what baby likes. My dd did the best with Playtex Nursers. Most of my friends used them. I tried Dr Browns initially and she hated them. The mouth of the bottle was not big enough for her. And Im glad she didn't like those because they have so many parts they were soooo annoying to clean. Playtex nursers is so easy you just switch out the liner. And it has a wider mouth. Closer to breast feeding.

Best of luck to you!

Re: BTDT formula moms

I started DD on the formula provided by the hospital. She had a bit of trouble digesting that kind, and we did have to make a switch but that is not uncommon. Luckily, we only had to switch once. Sometimes you may have to try several brands and types before you find the one that suits your baby best. I don't think any one brand is better than another- it all depends on your baby. I'd say I spend roughly $30/week on formula. Sign up on Enfamil and Similac and Gerber's websites for samples and coupons. You can even have the grandparents sign up too. Look for sales and stock up when you can. As far as bottles, I am a big fan of the Playtex Drop Ins, but you are sure to get all different recommendations on them too. ITA about having gas drops on hand, ESP for the first few months.

Message edited 8/27/2013 12:04:03 PM.

Re: BTDT formula moms

We use Enfamil, that is what Ped/hospital started us on.

Sign up with Enfamil and Similac for free samples and coupons

We started with Enfamil newborn and ended up with Gentlease at some point due to gas issues.

We use Dr Brown's, they have worked well for us, I don't have a problem with the parts, the either go in the dishwasher or we boil them.

Bj's has the best prices by far, I would say net of coupons it costs about $35 a week at 32 oz a dat.

Re: BTDT formula moms

We started out with Similac Advance. After a rough patch and multiple switches, we found that Enfamil Gentlease worked best for DD. There is no right or wrong formula. There is only a right or wrong formula for each child. I know people whose babies thrived on formula that DD couldn't tolerate.

As for bottles: we tried so many. DD had issues with gas and spit-up, so we tried Dr. Brown's for a while (the holy grail). We didn't notice a big difference (other than being such a pain to clean). We went through Ameda, Tommy Tippee, Medela, Dr. Brown's, Born Free, and finally settled on Playtex Drop-Ins.

DD saw a GI who told us not to put gas drops in her bottles. He told us to use them after a feeding, if necessary, but never in the bottle. I will saw that the gas drops are a lifesaver.

BTDT formula moms

Thank you ladies this has been incredibly helpful. I happened to wander down the formula aisle at Waldbaums and I was overwhelmed by all the choices!!!! I figured with the boob, you pop them on and let them go to town, so I didn't know if formula feeding was inherently different in how you give it to them, etc.

Re: BTDT formula moms

What type of formula do you use for a newborn? I assume it changes as the baby grows?
We used similac because that is what they gave us at the hospital. used the rtf.

How much do you spend on formula per week? we spent about $40 per week (a carton a week form costco)

Best brands and brands to stay away from?
never really switched since he was used to similac. no help here.

Any tips for formula feeding? make sure you have the right size nipples. (the smaller size for newborns has smaller holes so the baby won't choke.) keep the baby at an inclined but not completely flat position (again to avoid choking) sounds common sense, but my MIL didn't do that and the baby got too much formula and started choking at 2 days old. Scary!!!!

Any specific bottles for formula feeding? i know many moms buy a few of each and see which baby likes. i didn't do that. i bought the NUK 4 oz and 8 oz bottles and that is what we used. They are relatively cheap, easy to wash, and last a long time. DS was fine. never had issues. and didn't know he missed out on choices.

Re: BTDT formula moms

i used enfamil newborn then enfamil gentlease.

invest in the dr. browns formula pitcher (even if u don't use dr. b bottles). great at mixing and reducing gas bubbles (as opposed to shaking).

Re: BTDT formula moms

I used earths best but I wasnt happy with it
I did a lot of research on formula ingredients. if you're interested, lmk

Re: BTDT formula moms

Enfamil LIPIL - Target brand ($22 for big can 40oz)

My DS is 5 months now and I go through about one 40oz can a week. (He drinks five 6oz bottles a day now). When he was a NB, it lasted weeks since he started out at just an ounce of formula per bottle.

ETA - With my DD she stayed on the same formula her whole first year until we switched her to milk. Plan on doing the same with DS.

I use Playtex Drop Ins, which are awesome. I fill the bottles with the powdered formula all at once for the day and when he needs a bottle I just fill it with room temp Brita water. SO easy.

Message edited 8/27/2013 1:03:34 PM.

Re: BTDT formula moms

What formula that works for your baby can be a diff answer for every mom

I may use enfamil while enfamil made your baby gassy,Kwim

It does not have to change. Dd has been on similar since day 1

But ds it took 4 diff ones to find one for him

So IMO there is no "brand to stay away from"

Lots of people use the target brand etc bc it is cheaper

I spend about 70 a week on formula. Powder

I use sr browns bottles

BTDT formula moms

What type of formula do you use for a newborn? I assume it changes as the baby grows? When I first supplemented in the hospital, we used Similac advance because that is what they had. He developed gas issues so we switched to Enfamil Gentlease and continued using that until 1 yr old when we switched to milk.


How much do you spend on formula per week? We would go through a container of the powder every 5 days or so. They cost like $23 at Target.

Best brands and brands to stay away from? It really depends on the baby. Some children thrive on one brand while others are miserable. It's all about trial and error.

Any specific bottles for formula feeding? We used dr browns because it is supposed to minimize gas and fussiness.