Help Me Shop For Formula

[SheilaTheTank]

I've been meaning to post this for a bit, and I finally have a chance to. 

I recently ran out of the samples we got and went to buy formula. I knew that stuff is $$$$$ but I don't think I realized how freaking fast you go through it, even when we are just doing 2-3 bottles a day (T&Ps to the wallets of those of you who exclusively FF). Even with the formula checks and K drinking regular formula it's stupid pricey. So please share with me where and how you get the best deals. I'm eyeing generic formula but don't know which ones are closer to Similac than Enfamil. After trying both for a bit, it's clear she reacts much better to Similac, and Enfamil makes her prone to diaper rash. We have a Walmart within 7 minutes and a Target 20 minutes away. I also have Amazon Prime. 

[peachesncream]

I have used generic formula for both of my kids. Target Up&Up makes generics that are supposed to match just about every brand and blend - for DD1 I used their knock-off of Enfamil GentleEase, for DD2 we use the knock-off of the main Similac formula. We stock up when they have GC deals (buy 3 and get $10 or whatever). If you live close to a Costco I have heard great things about Kirkland brand formula too!

[SheilaTheTank]

Sept 15, 2016 9:03:17 GMT -5 peachesncream said:

I have used generic formula for both of my kids. Target Up&Up makes generics that are supposed to match just about every brand and blend - for DD1 I used their knock-off of Enfamil GentleEase, for DD2 we use the knock-off of the main Similac formula. We stock up when they have GC deals (buy 3 and get $10 or whatever). If you live close to a Costco I have heard great things about Kirkland brand formula too!

Stupid question: How do you get notified about the GC deals? 

[peachesncream]

Sept 15, 2016 9:28:08 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Sept 15, 2016 9:03:17 GMT -5 peachesncream said:

I have used generic formula for both of my kids. Target Up&Up makes generics that are supposed to match just about every brand and blend - for DD1 I used their knock-off of Enfamil GentleEase, for DD2 we use the knock-off of the main Similac formula. We stock up when they have GC deals (buy 3 and get $10 or whatever). If you live close to a Costco I have heard great things about Kirkland brand formula too!

Stupid question: How do you get notified about the GC deals? 

I just check the Target website, I dunno haha.  I would say either I am very lucky or they run almost constantly, I feel like there is always a GC deal when I check.

[Deleted]

We use the Up&Up one that is supposed to be the same/similar to Similac Sensitive. The huge tub is less than the price of a small tub of Similac. Occasionally we get $15 formula checks for Similac and I do use those.

[paloslee]

Sept 15, 2016 9:28:08 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Sept 15, 2016 9:03:17 GMT -5 peachesncream said:

I have used generic formula for both of my kids. Target Up&Up makes generics that are supposed to match just about every brand and blend - for DD1 I used their knock-off of Enfamil GentleEase, for DD2 we use the knock-off of the main Similac formula. We stock up when they have GC deals (buy 3 and get $10 or whatever). If you live close to a Costco I have heard great things about Kirkland brand formula too!

Stupid question: How do you get notified about the GC deals? 

Almost every wk target has some baby deals. I use formula check and gc all the time. I was considering changing to Kirkland, Costco brand, but I'm scared. I don't want him to get a reaction if we change. The best target deals are when they have spend $100 and get $25 gc . But that's every once in awhile.

[mom2boxers]

I used to buy on Amazon Mom with Subscribe & Save or watch for GC deals at Target. #1 would only tolerate Similac so we stuck with that. Definitely stack manufacturer coupons, formula checks, etc. You can also contact the companies and ask them to send you samples or coupons.

[SheilaTheTank]

Sept 15, 2016 9:43:47 GMT -5 @pennycandy said:

We use the Up&Up one that is supposed to be the same/similar to Similac Sensitive. The huge tub is less than the price of a small tub of Similac. Occasionally we get $15 formula checks for Similac and I do use those.

I had one of those and it expired before I could use it. I died a little inside. 

[minae01]

Another vote for Target Up&Up. We use the blue (Similac) kind.

[blackbird]

Sept 15, 2016 9:50:24 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Sept 15, 2016 9:43:47 GMT -5 @pennycandy said:

We use the Up&Up one that is supposed to be the same/similar to Similac Sensitive. The huge tub is less than the price of a small tub of Similac. Occasionally we get $15 formula checks for Similac and I do use those.

I had one of those and it expired before I could use it. I died a little inside. 

Yea this happened to me yesterday. It has expired the day before. Ugh it hurt so bad!

[blackbird]

I like throwing $ away so we buy the Similac Advance.

But really the pedi gave us a ton of samples of the Similac Supplementation after our hospital stay for weight loss. Eventually we switched to Advance bc it was most similar. Honestly she did/does well on the Similac so I am too afraid to rock the boat. But good god it's expensive shit.

[lindy04aggie]

Sept 15, 2016 11:58:42 GMT -5 blackbird said:

I like throwing $ away so we buy the Similac Advance.

But really the pedi gave us a ton of samples of the Similac Supplementation after our hospital stay for weight loss. Eventually we switched to Advance bc it was most similar. Honestly she did/does well on the Similac so I am too afraid to rock the boat. But good god it's expensive shit.    

You think Advance is expensive?  Try having two on the Similac Alimentum.  Fuckin' A.  Glad that didn't last forever.

[SheilaTheTank]

Sept 15, 2016 11:58:42 GMT -5 blackbird said:

I like throwing $ away so we buy the Similac Advance.

But really the pedi gave us a ton of samples of the Similac Supplementation after our hospital stay for weight loss. Eventually we switched to Advance bc it was most similar. Honestly she did/does well on the Similac so I am too afraid to rock the boat. But good god it's expensive shit.

And that's not even the soy or alimentum stuff. The price takes for those make me hyperventilate.

[lindy04aggie]

I get the Similac checks and other posters have sent me checks too (much appreciated!). I also check for the Target deals. However, we are not doing generics. Our pedi said to stick with Similac brand since we had such a problem with reflux. We just recently stopped their reflux meds to see if it's gone and so far, so good (knock on wood), so I'm going to bring up generics at their 9 month appt.

[SheilaTheTank]

Sept 15, 2016 12:05:28 GMT -5 lindy04aggie said:

I get the Similac checks and other posters have sent me checks too (much appreciated!). I also check for the Target deals. However, we are not doing generics. Our pedi said to stick with Similac brand since we had such a problem with reflux. We just recently stopped their reflux meds to see if it's gone and so far, so good (knock on wood), so I'm going to bring up generics at their 9 month appt.

I'm surprised at the no to generics. I was under the impression that it's the same stuff, made in the same facility, but with just a different label slapped on it. 

[blackbird]

Sept 15, 2016 12:03:28 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Sept 15, 2016 11:58:42 GMT -5 blackbird said:

I like throwing $ away so we buy the Similac Advance.

But really the pedi gave us a ton of samples of the Similac Supplementation after our hospital stay for weight loss. Eventually we switched to Advance bc it was most similar. Honestly she did/does well on the Similac so I am too afraid to rock the boat. But good god it's expensive shit.

And that's not even the soy or alimentum stuff. The price takes for those make me hyperventilate.

Oh I know it could be even worse.

[mom2boxers]

Sept 15, 2016 12:07:13 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Sept 15, 2016 12:05:28 GMT -5 lindy04aggie said:

I get the Similac checks and other posters have sent me checks too (much appreciated!). I also check for the Target deals. However, we are not doing generics. Our pedi said to stick with Similac brand since we had such a problem with reflux. We just recently stopped their reflux meds to see if it's gone and so far, so good (knock on wood), so I'm going to bring up generics at their 9 month appt.

I'm surprised at the no to generics. I was under the impression that it's the same stuff, made in the same facility, but with just a different label slapped on it. 

There are some differences in the ingredients that they use beyond the actual vitamins/nutrients. For example, what they use to get to the required fat content. Similac is the only one that I know of for US brands (unless this has changed) that doesn't use palm olein.

[renbee]

Sept 15, 2016 9:50:24 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Sept 15, 2016 9:43:47 GMT -5 @pennycandy said:

We use the Up&Up one that is supposed to be the same/similar to Similac Sensitive. The huge tub is less than the price of a small tub of Similac. Occasionally we get $15 formula checks for Similac and I do use those.

I had one of those and it expired before I could use it. I died a little inside. 

Lurking... I use expired checks all the time. The cashiers rarely check. Don't throw them out!

[paloslee]

Sept 18, 2016 21:11:39 GMT -5 renbee said:

Sept 15, 2016 9:50:24 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

I had one of those and it expired before I could use it. I died a little inside. 

Lurking... I use expired checks all the time. The cashiers rarely check. Don't throw them out!

I was wondering if they even check the date. Thanks for the tip!

[Missy0483]

I almost died when I found expired checks the other day, $16 worth!!!! I'm going to see if my Target will let me use them.

[xxkimmy8xx]

Sept 15, 2016 12:10:58 GMT -5 blackbird said:

Sept 15, 2016 12:03:28 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

And that's not even the soy or alimentum stuff. The price takes for those make me hyperventilate.

Oh I know it could be even worse.

Ethan is on PurAmino (same class as Neocate and Elecare). It's an Amino Acid based formula... even pricier than the Hypoallergenics.  $42.00 for 3.5 days worth. Ri-diculous. Thats more than I spend to eat for 3.5 days. 

[SheilaTheTank]

Sept 18, 2016 21:11:39 GMT -5 renbee said:

Sept 15, 2016 9:50:24 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

I had one of those and it expired before I could use it. I died a little inside. 

Lurking... I use expired checks all the time. The cashiers rarely check. Don't throw them out!

I want to die now that I'm reading this. 

If you hear on the news there's a crazy woman rifling through the trash, mumbling to herself about formula prices, that may or may not be me.