My twins have been on Enfamil Premium Lipil since we switched to formula at 12 weeks.
I had 3 friends tell me the Target brand was the same exact thing and half the price. Not wanting to "skimp" on my kids' health, I continued to pay $37 per can (for the large 34 oz can). We go through one of these cans per week. Do the math, and it gets damn expensive.
Now, it appears Enfamil has discontinued the large can and is now selling refill bags for their 24.6 oz can. The box contains 2 refill bags at $34 per box. Still expensive.
DH and I are budgeting for when they start daycare in February. Our monthly cost will increase $1,200 from what we are paying my SIL now.
It's time to get frugal.
I went to Target yesterday and was absolutely amazed. Their generic formula matched the Enfamil Premium Lipil ingredients almost identically!
And? Their 24.6 ounce can cost $12 compared to Enfamil's $24 for the same size!
I bought 4 cans and introduced it this weekend. So far, no difference. The kids are drinking it fine and no ill effects.
What about you? Do you buy the brand name or generic and why?
(P.S - take my poll to the left)
10 comments:
We used the brand name (Emfamil.) My aunt (a nurse in the labor/delivery unit) recommended it against the store brands because she said many of the store brands/off brands are made out of the USA. She felt that the guidelines for the factories where the formulas were made (out of the country) were less stringent than here. So that's why we stuck with Emfamil. Plus it seemed to work well with Zoe so it worked out.
I hear you about having to make cuts in certain areas, though - we'll be paying for daycare starting tomorrow as well!
Oops - you know you're exhausted when you misspell Enfamil TWICE!! Sorry!
We switched the girls from Similac shortly after they got out of the hospital. Costco's Kirkland brand formula matched the Similac almost identically. One of my girls though needed to be switched to soy. We started her on the Similac soy, then tried a store brand which seemed similar. It was hard on her tummy again so we switched back to Similac. Our other daughter still seems to be doing fine on the Kirkland brand though. I think it just depends on the kid and their tummies. If it doesn't seem to bother them I'd stick with generic. It is a heckuva lot cheaper for sure!!
I always heard that the FDA has super strict standards for formula and that they all have to meet the standard to be sold. So, even though 5 years ago when I had an infant I used Enfamil only, with the knowledge I have today, I would make the switch.
A lot of the families I babysit for use the Kirkland brand from costco and did this for the same reason as you (same ingredients as the expensive stuff). I always say to go generic if you can- great money saving trick especially if your babies are still getting exactly what they need for less!
We are on our last case of neosure (at $15 for a 12 oz. can and we go through a can/day). The doctor wanted us to stay on it until 9 months, but I'm going to finish up this case (they just turned 8 months on August 30th) and switch to the Costco brand. Hopefully we won't have any ill effects.
my kids are mostly breastfed, but when we did do formula (a bottle a week/kid around 5 months and also in their cereal every am) we did the enfamil lipil. it is super expensive. we got tons of free cans from the pediatrician. we have only purchased 2 cans in 11 months. if i had to purchase more i would probably switch to the generic. it's basically the same stuff, right??
I have used the Target brand since my 6 1/2 month old was about 2 months old and it is great, our Pediatrician said its the same thing. My dtr. has done great on it, a cheaper secret! no need for Enfamil or Similac when you can get Target Up and Up brand.
Michele in NY
I buy the generic brand because it's identical to the name brand and SO much cheaper.
We used the Kirkland brand (Costco store brand) for our twins - with the pediatrician's complete blessing.
It saved us tons!!!
So did the Kirkland diapers and diaper wipes.
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