Formula hacks

[renbee]

Thanks for starting this! We use similac advance, but a friend of mine just recommended switching to the target generic brand because it's the same stuff but half the price! We just got a can so hopefully there won't be any difference when we switch.

Does everyone just use tap water to make formula? When you shake the formula to mix, do you wait for the bubbles to go down or feed right away?

[renbee]

May 20, 2016 8:29:18 GMT -5 graybaby said:

We bought a formula dispenser and it made things so much easier when we were out! You just measure out the formula and then dump it in the bottle when LO is ready to eat. Like this:

Munchkin Formula Dispenser Combo Pack, Colors May Vary www.amazon.com/dp/B000RFCXIK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9dXpxb0GY1H8N

When you're out, do you bring bottles filled with water already and then just mix and feed at room temperature? Or do you try to find a sink when baby is ready to eat and fill with warmer water and mix?

I have so many newb questions!! Lol

[minae01]

May 20, 2016 8:06:36 GMT -5 renbee said:

Thanks for starting this! We use similac advance, but a friend of mine just recommended switching to the target generic brand because it's the same stuff but half the price! We just got a can so hopefully there won't be any difference when we switch.

Does everyone just use tap water to make formula? When you shake the formula to mix, do you wait for the bubbles to go down or feed right away?

We used the Target Up & Up brand for both boys and it was great. Saved money and didn't have to worry about coupons! I did half and half bottles with the Enfamil for a few days, so it wasn't a shock to their systems.

With DS1, I used the nursery water jugs, but DS2 got room temp tap water. I didn't wait for the bubbles to do down. This girl is a little pickier, so I have to warm it up a bit, which gets rid of the bubbles.

When going out, I would fill a bottle with water and then mix when it was time. If your LO is partial to warm bottles, then maybe you should fill it with warm tap when it's time.

[mrsk23]

We also use similac but we use the orange sensitive kind now. Our pediatrician said generic would be fine but we haven't tried it yet. We've been get the formula at Costco cause it's much cheaper!

We use bottled water and just pack bottles of water with us and fill and mix as needed. We do not wait for the bubbles to go down but we also use dr Browns bottles so she never really gets them anyway.

[richaroodo]

We used the BJs brand formula last time with no issues and love it. They had coupons on it frequently too which brought down the price even more. I plan on using it again when we switch.

[renbee]

May 20, 2016 11:25:25 GMT -5 heartbot said:

We got a Baby Brezza. It's amazing.

When we're out and about, I bring a bottle pre-filled with water and use pre-filled formula dispensers.

For any of you who started out BFing or are still BFing, how are you handling drying up your milk supply? I'm on antibiotics right now for mastitis, so I'm trying to drop as many feeds as I can before I'm off the drugs, because I'm worried about another bout of mastitis. Did you go cold turkey or are you easing off?

I definitely have my eye on the baby brezza!

There is a thread on parenting right now about drying up milk supply - several there were recommending Sudafed.

[xxkimmy8xx]

::Lurking from March::

Love all these tips and also love that there are other proud formula mommies. Got a couple in March too and it makes me feel less alone.

[renbee]

This isn't a formula hack, but can I just say - I really really really hate how formula smells. Bleck.

[renbee]

Ok here's a hack - I've found that shout stain spray works the best for getting out stubborn formula stains on clothes!

[minae01]

heartbot, sorry this is late. Busy week! I stopped very slowly with both boys. I cut one pumping session every 2 days. I also would cut down on the pumping time. I was pumping for 10 min then 5. It took about a week and a half but eventually the milk was gone and I never got a clogged duct or mastitis and was relatively comfortable throughout the process.

[mrsk23]

May 21, 2016 15:10:29 GMT -5 heartbot said:

I had a lot of guilt around supplementing and not being able to BF a full year with my daughter. This time, I don't feel guilty at all, even though I quit by choice. I realized that DD is 4 years old now, and no one knows or cares how she was fed as a baby. It absolutely never comes up. As important as it seemed at the time, in the long run formula vs. breast is a non-issue. It's more important that I'm able to enjoy my baby and family than it is that the baby gets breastmilk. Do what works for you and your baby.

Thank you for saying this. I am still dealing with a lot of guilt around my not being able to breastfeed. I need to print this out and put it on my wall and read often.

[minae01]

Jul 31, 2016 8:44:53 GMT -5 buttercup said:

S is tiny so I am trying to push more calories. He has appointments with his specialist and his pediatrician this week so this will be a topic I want to discuss with them.

I started offering him a little formula after eating last night. It is similac advance. He guzzled 2 oz a couple weeks ago before a long road trip. He has taken oral antibiotics and vit D drops without problem. Now, he is gumming the bottle and not showing much interest. He drinks .5-1 oz, but it is pretty slowly.

Is there a different brand I should try?

Was the temperature ok? A will only take a bottle if it's nice and warm. We even have to reheat it in the middle sometimes. Bottle snob!

[mrsk23]

Jul 31, 2016 8:44:53 GMT -5 buttercup said:

S is tiny so I am trying to push more calories. He has appointments with his specialist and his pediatrician this week so this will be a topic I want to discuss with them.

I started offering him a little formula after eating last night. It is similac advance. He guzzled 2 oz a couple weeks ago before a long road trip. He has taken oral antibiotics and vit D drops without problem. Now, he is gumming the bottle and not showing much interest. He drinks .5-1 oz, but it is pretty slowly.

Is there a different brand I should try?

Maybe he wasn't hungry. Maybe try giving it to him before eating one time to see if he'll take it and if he doesn't then you know it's the formula and/or bottle he doesn't care for.

As far as your actual question (sorry for the unsolicited advice) Costco has come out with a new formula of their formula and from all the research I've done, it's one of the best out there as far as quality ingredients and it's way cheaper! DD can't drink it because the sugar is lactose which she struggles with but I have friends who swear by it, they say their babies love it.

[renbee]

Curious how much your ff babies are typically eating in a session right now, and how often they eat? Ds can be more of a snacker sometimes and only wants 2oz or so at a time but then eats more often. But more recently he is wanting 4-6 oz at a time.

Also, what flow of nipples are you using? We have the advent natural bottles and are on the 2 nipples.

[wineallthetime]

Is costco formula cheaper than target??

Still size 1 nipples, wonder if I should change. Roughly 4-5oz every 2-3 hours. Typically 6 bottles a day.

[wineallthetime]

Aug 1, 2016 14:42:01 GMT -5 kendylouwho said:

Aug 1, 2016 13:11:30 GMT -5 abbeyd said:

Yes! Target has their brand for 24.99 at 36 ounces. Right now they have a buy three get $10 gift card. I think there may be a cartwheel offer too. So about $65 for 108 ounces. Costco sells a three pack of 34 ounces for $50. So $50 for 102 ounces. About a $15 dollar savings? That would add up quickly.

I've heard some people complain about it being foamy. I've never had that issue and don't want to start. I'm not sure if you can buy just one container at the store. I don't want to buy three and then not like it.

Wow that is quite a bit cheaper! I have wanted to try an off brand for that reason but haven't yet. We use Similac soy and it's 27.49 for 23 ounces! So almost 110 for 92 ounces. Yikes. I'm just nervous about it effecting his stomach. He already gets constipated on the soy and I've heard sometimes generic can cause constipation too. I guess it probably depends on the brand. And baby.

Target has a spy one. You could buy a small thing just to see. If you want to try generic, I'd do it soon. My son started on name brand and I switched to target brand which he got used to. I kept a few name brand samples in my purse and he would always refuse since he got picky with taste as he got older.

[minae01]

We do 4-5oz bottles about 5x a day. She still nurses first thing in the morning but I'm weaning. I did Target formula for awhile but a friend sent me an unused can of Similac. We'll be going back to Target as soon as this can is done.

[wineallthetime]

I keep forgetting to use leftover daycare bottles (I always have one left) and get so annoyed when I have to dump!

[mrsk23]

My SIL says the Costco is great! Her DD loves it! Only downside is they only have regular formula...boo! My DD can't do regular because of the lactose.

I will add that Costco uses more "healthy" ingredients then pretty much any other brand. The first ingredient is non fat milk powder not corn syrup and like others said it is WAY cheaper!

Costco also has similac and it is considerably cheaper then anywhere else I've found, even with coupons! But they only have regular and sensitive, no soy! Sorry kendylouwho.

abbeyd our kiddos sound very similar eating wise! Like I could have written exactly what you said! DD is eating 6oz 5-6 times a day, every 3-4 hours. She was sleeping though the night but now gets up at least once...sigh.

We use dr brown bottles and are still on size 1 nipples but I am seriously thinking its time to bump it up! She eats so slow and unlatches and looks around a lot more like she's just sucking too hard or something.

[wineallthetime]

Aug 3, 2016 18:43:16 GMT -5 abbeyd said:

Aug 3, 2016 18:19:12 GMT -5 wineallthetime said:

I keep forgetting to use leftover daycare bottles (I always have one left) and get so annoyed when I have to dump!

We always have one. I send it in the next day and label it with a 1 or something. They use that bottle first!

I always make ours the night before and she only goes to daycare Wed and Fri that's a good tip though!

[wineallthetime]

Aug 3, 2016 19:17:55 GMT -5 @pennygirl2013 said:

I have enfamil coupons if anyone wants them

+1