Question by wvucivilguy: I am seeking opinions about off brands for baby formula. Particularly the Kroger’s brand vs. Enfamil. Thanks
Best answer:
Answer by coolhandven
Soy or lactose? Makes a big difference. If I were going Kroger brand I would definitely try to find a soy based variety.
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I have personally tried just about every brand of formula and I found there is not much difference in the off brand VS name brand. Some taste a little different than others but for the most part nutritionally they are all very similar. It all depends on your baby’s preference or your preference as a parent.
They are the same as the expensive ones. You can compare the labels right there in the store. If your babies tummy isn’t bothered by it then it is totally ok. I used the Parent’s Choice at Walmart when I had to quit nursing my third child at 6 months old. She was fine!
Ordinarily, I have a “loose” approach to store brands, but when it comes to babies, there’s no substituting. Too much could go awry.
If cost is bothering you, you can actually get better prices per unit if you go to Babies ‘R’ Us or Costco than at Kroger. I know that firsthand!
IIRC, though, a child stops getting so much benefit from formula above 32 oz. in a day. If your baby is above that intake, you might consider some “first foods.”
I use the off brand that Sam’s Club sells of the Enfamil with Iron & Lipil. I compared all the ingredients and they are exactly the same and the same amount of the ingredient also. I asked the peditrician and she said she doesn’t see a problem with it, but the get a kick off from Enfamil to say the name brand is the best. I would say just check the ingredients with a can of Enfamil. Good luck…it is definitely half the price.
If you have a Wal*mart near by…their off brand is suppose to be really good!!! it’s called Parent’s Choice!!! Some say it is better than Enfamil!!! I hope I helped ya a bit!!!
Sorry I don’t know any Kroger Brands!!!
Look on the cans and see who the manufacturer is ..If it’s the same then the product is the same they just sell it under a different name in order to increase their profits, because so many people will automatically buy the cheapest..Ran a retail store for 3 years so I know the tricks of the trade..
I use the Parent’s Choice from Walmart in place of the Enfamil Gentlease…it was cheaper, same exact ingredients. As one person already said, it’s a matter of baby’s preference at this point. To the person who said that there is no substituting for baby, I understand that you want the best for your child, who doesn’t. But, why spend $10 more a can when they are the exact same product? To this day, no one can give me an answer when they look down on me for not buying name brand. Personally, I just think I am a little smarter for saving $40 a month on formula. Anyway, compare labels. I am sure that you will see that the differences are slim to none. Good luck with everything!
Go for it as long as your baby takes it just as well. Don’t quote me on this but to the best of my knowledge, the FDA has requirements as to the nutritional values in infant formulas. Also, it’s the brand name companies that make the store brands. Canned hot dog chili for example, Kroger brand is made by Castleburys. ( remember the recent recall?) They’re the same.
I would stay away from soy. Too much new, detrimental information coming out on soy. Did anyone know that before 1978 soy isolate wasn’t even classified by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe”??? It was used as an adhesive for cardboard…Must READ….
“….For example, if your baby gets colic from cow’s milk, do you switch him to soy milk? Don’t even think about it. His phytoestrogen level will jump to 20 times normal. If he is a she, brace yourself for watching her reach menarche as young as seven, robbing her of years of childhood. If he is a boy, it’s far worse: He may not reach puberty till much later than normal.
Research in 2000 showed that a soy-based diet at any age can lead to a weak thyroid, which commonly produces heart problems and excess fat. Could this explain the dramatic increase in obesity today? …”
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53327