We've talked about a lot of different things recently related to Having a Baby Without Breaking the Bank. As many of you know, I'm a big proponent of breast-feeding and believe that in most cases, with the right support and determination, most moms are able to breastfeed.
That said, I know there are cases where breastfeeding is not possible–such as when there are medical or physical conditions hindering a mom's ability to breastfeed or when you are adoptive parents, etc. And in those cases, buying formula can quickly become very expensive.
Sariah recently emailed me her predicament and I wanted to post her question for discussion since I know she's not the only one who is struggling or has struggled with this:
I'm about to give birth to our fourth child. For reasons that
are too long to get into here, I can't breastfeed my kids. The last three children have required a gentle formula for
digestive issues, and I've been very brand loyal to Enfamil. It's
scary to me to consider switching to another brand, but Enfamil is so expensive.
Do anyone of your readers have ideas on how to get name brand formula at a discount or input as to whether
any of the generic brands (such as Wal-Mart or Target) are comparable
to the name brands? -Sariah
If you have suggestions or input for Sariah, I'd love to have you take a moment to comment.
Note: As I do my best to keep this blog upbeat and free from debate and I understand that the topic of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding can (sadly) quickly become a very divisive issue, I would like to kindly ask that all comments be kept to the questions at hand. Thanks so much!
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All generic formula is amde by the same company so buy where it’s convenient and cheapest for you. We tried the gentle generic fomula but unfortunately it constipated my three month old so we went back to Enfamil. Sign up on their website under as many names/addresses as you can and stagger your sign up dates to get more checks. Also sign up on Similac and Nestle and trade those checks for Enfamil ones. Watch for sales and buy in bulk – Sam’s Club sells Gentlease but their per ounce price is not good if you can buy the big cans for $23 or less (which you can often).
I nursed our second daughter until my milk dried up from being pregnant with my third. We panicked and our neighbor let me borrow a can (I didn’t even own bottles!) At any rate my husband happened to run into someone and they started talking forumula. They swore that Costco’s brand was the equivalent of Enfamil.
Our neighbors daughter is medically challenged (you name it she has it) her specialists told her mom to use Wal Marts brand. We live in a MAJOR city so I would trust the doctors.
We still opted to go with Similac which is what we used with our first, but I have always retained that info.
I have used the Walmart brand, Target brand, and Costco brand all without a problem. The Costco brand has been the cheapest $20 for two of the 24.-whatever oz cans which are the big ones but I don’t know if they carry the gentle kinds. I know that the Walmart does carry the gentle ease (not sure what they call theirs) though. It is around the same price for the huge can as it is for Enfamil’s small can. And sometimes they will have the bonus cans w/ 20% more for the same price. If you happen to see this, stock up.
Also:
–Sign up for the “clubs” for Enfamil, Similac, and goodstart. Even if you won’t use a certain type of sample/check they send you, you can trade it on Craigslist (or elsewhere) for the brand/type you do want
–Sign up for samples of the Parents Choice (both regular and gentle) and Members Mark. Check out Mysavings or some other freebie website for the links
–Check Craigslist free section often as well as Freecycle.
–If you are eligible for WIC, that is a great program
–Always keep an eye out in the clearance section of pharmacies/drugstores. I have seen several times when the “special” types of formula were marked down my 75% and the dates were still far away. The only reason I didn’t get them was because I used the basic type.
We have 5 month old twins (33 week preemies) and I was only able to breastfeed for two months. We use the Wal-Mart Parent’s Choice milk based formula. In our area it costs $11.88 a can. We use 4-5 cans a week so this is a huge money saver for us. Enfamil, Similac and Nestle start at $25 a can here. Our ped was fine with using the generic and the girls are growing great!
I breastfed my children, so my recommendation is coming second-hand. A close friend who was unable to breastfeed used Target brand formula for her second child. Her pediatrician recommended it because she found it was better for babies with sensitive stomachs. The ped also told her Target formula is manufactured by either Enfamil or Similac (sorry, I can’t remember which one!) and is almost identical to the name brand. My friend was very skeptical because she’d been brand loyal with her first child, but she actually liked the Target formula better.
Also, if you qualify for food pantries, you can often formula there for pennies. A local pantry sells the free sample size of formulas for .20 cents.
I use Similac Gentlease because WIC helps me out. but if that ends too soon then I give my son Walmart brand gentlease. He has no problem switching between formulas.
My friends and I have done quite a bit of research on different formulas. I have 3 children and have only been able to nurse each of them a max of 3 months. The first had to be on a Enfamil, but the price was so high. Costco’s brand of formula has been wonderful for us. It is about half the price of other formulas! It’s comparable to Enfamil. Also, the doctor’s office usually has an abundance of formula samples. They gave me enough samples for about 6 months, so you may want to ask your pediatrician if they are willing to give you formula!
If you are committed to only using Enfamil then make sure to sign up on their site and request coupons. Ask everyone you know to save formula coupons or to request them also. Check out ebay and amazon for deals.
I did use formula for my second baby. I talked to our pediatrician about using store brand. He told us that as long as it had the same amount of iron and the other items were comparable, then we were okay. I ended up using Parent’s Choice at Walmart and had no trouble. It costs about half as much as Enfamil or Similac do with a coupon, so it is a HUGE savings.
My daughter is on WIC, and that gives us 9 cans of formula a month. It’s usually Similac, but if you get a prescription from your doctor for a different kind, they have to honor it. Also, I’ve discovered if I use my WIC at Albertsons, A b1g1 Enfamil coupon always prints out. I use these for when I run out of WIC formula.
We used Enfamil for our triplets after I stopped BFing them at 3 months. We found the cheapest place to buy it was Sam’s Club. Sam’s also accepted the formula checks that Enfamil sends to people on their mailing list, which made the price even cheaper.
I was on the mailing lists for both Enfamil and Similac and I was able to then trade those Similac formula checks with moms who had Enfamil checks but couldn’t use them. Also, if you frequent message boards with moms you’ll sometimes see that someone has formula checks up for grabs to the first person who can respond.
Our son too had issues. He was adopted and prior to getting him was on Gentlese, but due to cost I tried Nestle and it worked just as good. You can call Nestle and they can send you coupons as well. Good luck
We started with the name brand stuff but realized that was adding up to quickly, our peditrician said that they are all basically the same, just a different label. So we switched to the walmart brand and my kids did great with that!
Good luck!
Sam’s Club and Costco are good places to buy forumula. You get it in bulk and it is much cheaper than at the grocery store that way.
WIC helped us tremendously when we had to buy formula for our baby.
Another thing that helped was signing up for the different infant formula company’s mailing lists. They send out forumlua checks each month. They are kind of like a coupon, but the amounts are much higher. Some are worth $5, $10, or even more. Nestle Good Start and Enfamil have the best programs. Joining both can save $30 or more each month.
Here’s an article from an expert about generic vs. store brand formula.
http://www.babycenter.com/404_are-generic-or-store-brand-formulas-less-nutritious-than-bra_1334547.bc
The formula in the U.S. has to be FDA approved and there are very strict guidelines for infant formula. I used the Enfamil Lacto Free for my first child and there wasn’t a generic for it then, but I’d get the Enfamil coupons in the mail. For my second child he’s on the generic Enfamil Gentelease (Sam’s Club Brand) and my doctor has told me it was just the same to use it.
See if you can ask your doctor about samples, I ask and get 2-3 cans every check-up.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions – it’s going to take me some time to read through them all!
I did request a ton of formula at the hospital (and they freely gave it to me – those ready made bottles have lasted me the past two weeks – so convenient for night time feedings!), asked my pediatrician for some at my one week visit, and had already signed up for Enfamil/Similac/Good Start’s baby clubs to get coupons.
He seems to be having the same digestive problems the older three had, and we will most likely have to change him to another formula. Thank you again for all the advice!
I can’t breastfeed either. Try WIC – the cap for a family of 4 is a little over $39,000. After that, we used Member’s Mark at Sam’s. WIC even told us it’s the same thing! It’s 19.96 for a giant can (equivalent to about 3 of the Enfamil). But just be warned – it isn’t cut as fine and you have to measure it a little more carefully, but it’s worth the small extra hassle for the price difference! If you don’t have a Sam’s membership, it’s worth it even just for the formula. In just one month, we saved enough on formula to cover the membership fee… GOOD LUCK!
I have a $5 off Enfamil coupon. Does anyone want it? Email me at holly@hollysmalley.com.
We used Parent’s Choice (from wal mart) and Sam’s Club Member’s Mark with my second child. He did really well on them.
Our daughter had to have Nutramigen formula and that is about $27/can in the store, we ended up buying all her formula on EBAY!!! We would get the formula, including shipping for about $17/can, so I highly recommend that you look into that option. Usually it was mom’s who were done with the formula and trying to sell the remainder of the cans where I got the good deals.
I have a great article on my website about saving money on formula:
http://tinyurl.com/cz7trt
Here’s saving money on specialty formula:
http://tinyurl.com/cth36n
I have some coupons from Enfamil that I would love to pass on. I have no children and didn’t know that to do with them. So, I would love to bless someone with them. They are $5 a piece. Please just let me konw were to mail them. The Lord is so GOOD.
After 6 months, my daughter weened herself and we were left wondering which formula to use. My pediatrician said she always used the walmart/sam’s club brand because it was made by the same parent company (Wyeth) of Enfamil or Similac. Plus, all formulas have to meet very strict standards for health and safety. So, with that knowledge, I was able to save a lot of money buying the walmart brand and then save even more at sam’s by buying the largest members mark can for about $20!! Congratulations.
Sam’s club formula is the least expensive. Used it with the last baby beginning at about 4 1/2 months–no problems at all. It’s essentially the same as the name brands, so as long as your baby doesn’t require a special formula for some reason, use this one. You’ll save money and your baby will get all the nutrients he/she needs. Best of luck!!!
We were also unable to breastfeed past the first month. We met with four lactation consultants in the hospital and through our pediatrician, we tried pumping — but finally switched to formula. We started off with the regular Enfamil through our pediatrician, but then started using the Gentlease formula at his recommendation (our DD had digestive problems). After realizing how much we were spending per week on formula, we began to look at other alternatives. We have used the Target brand (purple can, comparable to Enfamil’s Gentlease) and we save about 50% each can. We have had no problems with the formula, and find that it dissolves better than the Enfamil brand, even though our daughter prefers her bottles at room temperature.
When Ihad to stop nursing because my son would not stop biting me with teath ( I cring still to think about the feeling) at 6 months I was concerned because he had had stomach and a mild case of reflux and out pediatrian had recomended and said it was the most comparable to Good Start which I think is the most digestable was the Costco Kirkland Brand of formula and I want to say at the time which was 3 years ago it was something like $18 something for 2 huge cans a steal of a deal in comparison to the little can you would get from Enfamil. it is worth a shot to try GOOD LUCK! You might just have to try a bunch and see what works for your baby!
Costco’s Kirland has a comparison chart on their formula for Similac and Enfamil- they are very similar to Kirkland brand, and cost only $20 for 2 large cans of formula. My little one has been happy with it, as we had to wean her rather abruptly at 7 months due to my health issues.
Also I have found that I get a Target $1 off formula coupon with each receipt generally when I buy formula. I usually pay about $11-13 a can pre coupon
store brand, sign up for coupons (have some sent to a friend’s house too so that you can have extras). Also, The name brand formula goes on sale at Target about once a month. I’d always go then and stock up (twins). I’d buy up what was left and then would ask for a raincheck. I was paying about the same per week for formula as I was for milk when we switched over (but that’s when milk was almost $4 a gallon).
Also, never get the individual serving packets – big waste! you can find plastic small reusable containers meant for formula or small baby snacks at the dollar tree. My daughters were also on special formula for acid reflux and we found they did just as well getting half special formula and half regular formula.
I too had to switch to the Kirkland brand (Costco) formula when my son stopped nursing. They have recently reduced the price from $19.99 to $17.99 for two giant cans. My son loves it and it doesn’t clump up or get really frothy like some off-brands tend to do. I’m in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area so I don’t know if the prices have come down for all stores. Hopefully the new baby won’t have any digestive issues and you’ll be able to use something cheaper.
We used Parent’s Choice Gentle (compare to Gentlease), and we LOVED it. It didn’t bother our sensitive boy at all. We both breastfed and used formula (didn’t have enough milk for my 9 pounder). It was around 13.00, but you can email the company (and have all your family email too) once a month and they’ll send you 3.00 coupons.
It’s definitely worth a try!
My last baby was fed with formula, which was a new thing to me since I’d nursed my other 4 children. BUT, in reference to the question….I used mostly generic formula, unless I had a coupon that made it cheaper. I wasn’t loyal to which store it was purchased from, but I did only use the “gentle” labeled formulas. My Pediatrician said that was fine to do, as long as it seemed to take well with baby.
Also, as others have mentioned, sign up for every mailing list you can find. My friends and relatives also signed up for the mailing lists and then sent their coupons to me. THAT was a great blessing!
First of all, congratulations!
We were very happy with Target brand formula. However, once I started doing deals at Walgreen’s, we switched and were happy with that as well. Between rebates and register rewards, we were able to get formula and diapers practically free.
I breast-fed my son for the first five or six months, and then we switched to formula. We were using Similac, but after comparing labels, doing research and talking to our doc, we switched to the Target yellow can. And then switched to Kroger’s “gentle” formula (because it’s closer to run to Kroger if we run out than to run to Target). I think the Kroger brand dissolves better and clumps up less than the Similac we were on.
Hey. I dont know if you qualify but look into WIC. You have to meet certain critea. But like me I dont work and my husband is military, plus we have two children. But they gave us 10 or 12 cans of formula a month, milk, eggs, peanut butter, 2lbs cheese, etc. Once the baby is older they give you juice, rice, etc. You can get on it while pregnant and they will give you things as well. Its a great program for those who qualify. The formula alone saved us over $100 a month. Now my kids are 1 and 2 and they are still on it. I believe every state has one. They even help you if your child is on a special diet. Like my kids were on soy formula. And now they are on Lactaid milk. All of which was WIC qualified. And lactaid milk is not cheap. Godo luck to you.
I stopped nursing my son at 6 months due to the medication I needed to start taking. I spent very little on formula a variety of ways:
1. I had saved all the free samples that the dr’s office and hospital gave me.
2. I had a friend send me her free samples. She was also nursing, but supplementing soy formula. So I sent her my soy, she sent me all of her regular.
3. I used the Target Brand! It worked great.
4. I used some of the big coupons from enfamil and matched them up with sales to buy it for less or the same price as Target.
My son is a happy, healthy almost 3 year old now. And with number 3 on the way, I’ll be sure to save those samples and coupons again.
Be CAUTIOUS when buying the Enfamil/Similac/etc CHECKS off of ebay or Craigslist. It clearly states these are not to be transfered or sold (names are printed on these checks), and would void the check if done so. Most cashiers don’t check the names, but if they do, some will not let you use them. Just a warning because that would cost you money!
As mentioned, formula is VERY regulated. Enfamil and Similac tend to be more expensive due to marketing and research. Target, Wal-Mart and Maker’s Mark (and other store brands) are usually identical. They use the info found in name brand research to develop their own, thus saving in research costs, and they isn’t marketing costs.
I had twins, and breastfed for 6 months. My body couldn’t keep up with the demand, so I also suplemented with formula. And once I went back to work, pumping was so limited my supply severely depleted. I tried Similac, but it constipated my boys. I switched to Enfamil, but once the checks ran out along with free samples, I switched to Target brand and then to Member’s Mark. No problems switching at all. I even used Kirland’s brand. Their digestive systems were well-developed then, so switching didn’t bother them, although I settled on Maker’s Mark because a Sam’s was right up the street from me. I would not reccomend switching while they are very young becuase it upsets their tummies.
Definitely sign up for any Enfamil newsletters you can…I’ve been receiving coupons from them for their formula. One thing that really helped us out was another family who takes care of a lot of foster children. She had A LOT of leftover formula that she hadn’t used that hadn’t passed their expiration date. That really helped us out.
I have used generic formulas from Target, Walmart and BJ’s and have had great success. If you compare the nutrition information they are basically the same.
I used Enfamil and Member’s Mark (Sam’s brand) with my twins. The twins had no problems with the Member’s Mark brand. Also if you don’t know this Sam’s will take the formula checks that you get. I always used the really big ones there to save even more money.
I gave my first child both similac and enfamil my nutritionist and pediatrician said that enfamil and similac are very similar so i fed my son both i went to every store looking to see who sells it cheaper and at the time it was genevese which is now rite aid for my second baby we werent as lucky as to buy formula i got on wic which helped me alot and i signed up for everything i could for coupons magazine sites baby sites
https://similac.com/signup-similac
http://www.enfamil.ca/en/enrollment/index.html
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
hope this helped
This may have been mentioned above (I didn’t read through previous comments thoroughly), but every time I go to the pediatrician’s office, I ask for samples and coupons. Even if I’, there with my older son instead of the baby I ask at the desk. I’ve gotten cases of Similac on occasion and almost always get six or so $5 off Similac coupons. I take the coupons to Rite Aid and use a $5/$20 or $5/$25 coupon (with a small filler that I need – milk, bread, chips – or one that cheap after SCR), and I get a total of $10 off of a big container of Similac.
I could also use two of the $5 off Similac coupons and get two smaller containers to use with the $5/$25 and no fillers are required.
When CVS was liberal in giving out the $4/$20, $5/$25, and $10/$50 coupons, I did the same thing – coupled it with one or more Similac coupons from the pediatrician’s office.
This is what’s helped me save a great deal.
Sorry if this is repetitive, I didn’t check all the posts ahead of me. I have been able to get 8oz cans from my pediatrician. I have use the allergy-free kind (alimentum) for my son and it’s super expensive. Last time the doctor gave me 3 cans. I just ask every time I go.
Also, I’ve seen people either giving away unused cans on Freecyle or Freepeats and selling it cheaper on Craigslist.
I think it would be worth trying another, less expensive brand too. If it works, then you will save in the future. If it doesn’t work, well then at least you know.
Good luck!
Sometimes you can get a deal on ebay. Or ask your friends if you can have their coupons. All of my friends handed me their coupons with my first son. Saved a bunch.
Sorry, but you will have to give the store brands a try to know whether they will work for your baby. With my second child I used the Walmart brand and it worked great and saved me lots of money. With my third baby (4mos now) I have tried almost every brand and the only one she can tolerate is Similac Sensitive. So I use all the checks that they send me and just have to pay the prices. Every baby is different and tolerates different things. But give them a try if they work, great.
I have used Sam’s Club – Members Mark formula regularly with both babies and it comes in a gentle form. The money you will save will pay for your membership probably after your first visit! Also have had no problems with Walmart or Walgreen’s brand as they are some times on sale even cheaper. The ingredients are the same you just don’t have to pay for the “label” or marketing of the over priced name brand. Nursed my first with no problems but was unable to pump so when I went back to work she had regular formula. My second was extremely gassy and fussy and refused to nurse most of the time so we used the gentle formula till she was almost 6 months old. Both my girls look just as healthy as my friends nursed and name brand feed babies;-)
I am an L&D nurse and we get this question a lot. Here are a few tips:
1. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t get samples or much extra formula from your nurse or peds. We had to stop giving them out because of hospital policy. We also don’t give out the bags with free samples (even though the company lists our hospital!) This isn’t because we don’t agree with bottle feeding, it is because of legal issues.
2. Almost all generic and name brand formulas are made at the exact same factory (the generic is generally even made by the name brand manufacturer!) and then just labeled differently. It is literally the exact same formula. All in the marketing! (This is true for many products!) So rest assured you are feeding your new baby a great product!
3. Almost all formula companies have coupon programs, sign up for them early on and have your friends/sisters/brothers sign up too. They’ll have to say they’re having a baby as well but I’ve done it for friends.
4. Sign up for WIC, you’ll get formula and some foods provided for you and your family if you qualify. And there’s nothing wrong with accepting help!
i too couldn’t breastfeed due to medical reasons and since enfamil is what they gave my son in the hospital, thats what i wanted to keep him on. but my gosh that stuff was SO expensive and we didn’t qualify for wic so i looked into the walmart brand. he did fine with it. but when the pediatric nurse found out we didn’t qualify for wic, she would give us the extras from the hospital.
This may not work for you but my grocery store would print out a coupon for the name brand everytime I brought the cheaper brand. I would sell that coupon on ebay. So I was saving by using the cheaper brand and making a couple bucks on ebay- not much but easy to list and mail.
I would also keep posting on Craigslist that you need it. So many people get samples and don’t know what to do with them.
Just like others have been saying…we used the Target and Walmart brand. I switched back and forth depending on which store I needed to go to that week. I saw no difference between either of them. My son tolerated them just as well as he did the expensive brand names. Good luck!!!
HI I nursed both my sons till they were 6 months and then I used the Sams club brand.The best part I can get a 3lb can for $19.98 the price has not changed around me in 3years.My oldest tried sililac but was real gassey once a friend suggested sams brand no more gas..good luck
My son had to stop nursing at 10 months and we had to buy formula for a little while because he was having weight issues…I bought enfamil and like you are very brand preffered…we have a publix nearby and i would buy it there…i would use a competitor coupon for like $5 off $30 and then use a manufacturer check and a store coupon and would get it for $10 or less! I had friends that breastfed that got the checks that would give them to me and i signed up for EVERYTHING online and they would send me free samples some too!
Both of my daughters needed spcial formula. Our medical insurance covered it! Our doc wrote a perscription for it. IT can’t hurt to check your insurance. See if and what kinds they cover.
I discovered that my local kids’ resale shop sold formula at a significant savings. My son was on Similac Alimentum and I was able to buy it there at about half the regular price. The cans were still sealed and it was just like buying it at the store.
We had to use Enfamil Gentlease for my daughter and a friend told me to try the Walmart brand (I’m thinking this might be the same as Sam’s but I’m not sure). We did not have any problems switching her over to the store brand and for 1/2 the price it worked exactly the same.
If you are eligible for WIC, the brand of formula they provide is Enfamil…ask for samples at each doctor’s appointment…join your local freecycle group and request the checks/coupons…always use your customer card at the grocery store; I often get catalina coupons for enfamil from Jewel when buying other baby products.
This may have already been said, but just in case it hasn’t…
Regulations on formula are so strict that even the off brands are perfectly fine (unless your doctor tells you otherwise of course). The important thing is that they’re fortified with DHA and DRA, so check the label for that.
We used standard Similac initially and then switched to their soy formula, but when I saw the much lower price of Target soy, we switched with no problems whatsoever.
Sign up for Freecycle in your area and occasionally post a wanted for any formula coupons of the brand you decide to go with. Some people are probably just throwing them away if they don’t need them! You may not get any but it doesn’t hurt to try. It’s already been mentioned but definitely check ebay and Craig’s list as well. You could post a wanted on Craig’s list too.
My son had reflux and I tried every kind of formula under the son. Neither of our babies could stomach Similac but I did find that Target brand for sensitive tummies was the best for our son, and almost $10 cheaper. It’s worth giving anything a try. None of the formula carried in the stores will hurt your baby, just try different kinds to see which one works best for you, your baby and your wallet.
I have used the Sam’s brand formula with great success with my 11 month old daughter. In the times I’ve run out and not been able to get to Sams right away, she hasn’t liked the name brand formula I’ve given her instead!
Also, ever since buying a can of Enfamil at Walgreens, every time I make a purchase the register spits out a BOGO free coupon for Enfamil. I don’t know how the system decides which coupons to print, but I’m guessing it’s based on the type of purchase you make, so maybe if you buy Enfamil there you can start getting some coupons also.
I used Target brand formula (lactose-free) for my daughter. I was able to get it for about $11 a can. However, some Targets carried it for $14 a can. So, check with different Targets around you…they may have different prices.
ALso, every time I visited the doctor for well-checkups or sick visits I would ask for samples. They would give me Enfamil that lasted for at least a few days! That was always helpful!
Just this morning, my pediatrician told me that the generic brands are just as good/basically the same as the name brands. I use the Sam’s brand ones and had no trouble, but my son didn’t have any digestive issues…
I recently wrote a post on saving money using Formula. Here is the link. http://30dollarweeklygrocerychallenge.blogspot.com/2009/03/saving-money-on-infant-formula.html
Hope it helps.
I used to use Enfamil and recently switched to Parent’s Choice milk based formula. I have found it very comparable to Enfamil and my baby has done very well on it. I was very pleased. And the price difference is great and a big blessing! of course, had she not done okay on parent’s choice, i would have definitely paid the higher price for Enfamil but luckily Parent’s choice worked great!
If you can not get enough Enfamil checks, I suggest checking Ebay. Many mothers who buy too much formula(including the special digestive kind) sell the “extra” on Ebay. The expiration dates are usually not for another year from the listing date, so it can work out to be a great deal. Most of these sellers offer free shipping too!
Be sure to check with your insurance company … ours covers formula and a three month supply is $60 regardless the quantity, so we asked the pediatrician to write the prescription for the max amount she could!
We are using Walgreens formula exclusively with our baby girl now, and we used it to supplement breast feeding until she was 8 months old. It’s the same nutritional value as Enfamil Lipil, and about $10 per can less. Walgreens has a sale on its formula about once per month — sometimes it’s a few dollars off per can, but earlier this month it was buy 2 cans for $28, get a $10 coupon off your next purchase. You can also order it online at Walgreens.com for the same price as the stores, and shipping is free if you purchase over $50 (3 or 4 cans will usually meet the free shipping price). They have online discounts occasionally as well.
if you’re scared to switch brands, you can get enfamil coupons on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230331646564&category=82228&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54
that should help keep the prices comparable to store brands. good luck – we were enfamil-loyal too
I scanned the comments, and didn’t see this mentioned. One option, if you are comfortable with it is milk donation. There is a group called MilkShare where you can get donated breastmilk – either through a local donor or through the mail. The website I’ll link below has guidelines for milk recipients on finding a donor for you. If you find a local donor, it’s possible you may only pay gas money to meet the mom and get free breastmilk!
http://milkshare.birthingforlife.com/
I saved my formula coupons and samples and gave them to moms that I knew formula fed. I also gave away all my samples to a very grateful mommy! Just keep on eye on Craigslist and Freecycle for coupons and cans/samples!
These are all great ideas. I just wanted to add a few thoughts. I formula fed both my babies, and found that I was able to switch formulas on them with no problem. I know not everyone is that lucky, but I was able to buy whatever brand I could get the cheapest.
I signed up for the mailing list of every formula company and they all sent samples and coupons. I didn’t see Carnation mentioned here yet. They publish a magazine that includes coupons for other Nestle products too.
My mom, sister and best friend also signed up on the mailing lists for me and gave me their coupons.
My son wouldn’t nurse so we had to use formula. I used Similac Gentle which was so expensive!!!!! Then I stumbled on to Parent’s Choice Gentle. It was 11.88 per can. I couldn’t beat that deal. I highly recommend using Sam’s club or Walmart formula. It’s the same as the name brand except for the cost!
Nicole
We used Enfamil for our first two babies and for the first six months with baby three. In trying to cut back on expenses though we switched to Target’s formula and he never noticed a difference and it was half the cost of Enfamil.
One thing a lot of people don’t know is that you can even get coupons for the Target brand formula. Go to http://www.pbmproducts.com and contact them to receive coupons. I believe they also make the formula from Wal Mart so you could probably get coupons for it also. I think after I initially contacted them I would just send an email every month to request more coupons.
I am also a ped nurse and at our office we will happily give samples although I will say that we dont get as much as we used too. The reps have bigger territories to spead there budget out too. Craigslist and EBay seem to have really good deals.
I really liked the Target brand. In fact, I liked it better than the name brands. I did not however like the Costco brand at all. It stinks, it foams too much, and my baby spit up a ton after drinking it.
My daughter was born with a condition called gastroschisis (basically, her intestines were outside of her body). I pumped for 3 months and never made more than 2 oz a pump (even tried numerous meds and herbals with no luck). When we came home from the hospital, we had to supplement with a prescription formula. Then, we moved onto Enfamil Alimentum and by this time she was straight formula. Next, we moved up to Enfamil Gentlease. I, too, was scared to try a generic formula especially considering her medical issues. However, I was assured by all of her doctors that there was no difference. So we made the switch and she never once had a problem. I had used formulas from Meijer, Kroger and Walmart and never found a difference between the 3.
I supplemented breastfeeding with formula, especially after I returned to work. We found that the baby did well with Parent’s Choice Gentle formula. It seemed to help her gassiness. I’ve currently got her on just the plain formula which is a few dollars cheaper. I recently tried Walgreen’s version and by comparing the labels, I found that it and the Wal-Mart formula was made by the same company. You even had to call the same number if you had comments or concerns.
Another thing that we have noticed is that Wal-Marts in different states charge different prices for the same product. We live near the AL/TN line and Parent’s Choice formula is a dollar cheaper per can in AL ($11.88 v. $12.88).
I understand your dilemma, I had the same issue with one of my babies. Try looking on eBay for formula coupons. Many moms who won’t need them batch them up and sell the coupons on eBay. You can check this link for recently completed listings for Enfamil coupons http://tinyurl.com/d6jswo
I personally wouldn’t buy the actual formula on eBay (even though people do) as this is a food product that your baby will be ingesting – too much risk for me. But the coupons can certainly help reduce your price on the product.
Best of luck~
Suzanne
I have fed my three boys on Walmart’s formula- PArent’s Choice. Just had my third son 12 weeks ago and he, too, is on this formula. I asked my pediatrian to doublecheck whether it is comparable to Enfamil and she confirmed. you are just paying for the name-brand. Hope this helps you! It will certainly save you a BUNDLE!
My daughter had to use the expensive Enfamil Nutramigen and it had to be RTF, because of her reflux issues. The only way to save money was to wait for them to go on sale and use the Enfamil checks.
For just a basic formula, your doctor should be able to tell you the pros and cons of each. Store brands usually have the same ingredients as the brand names.
The cheapest way to go is powdered formula, if you can.
Good luck.
I use Similac Sensitive for my son and I tried the Target Brand in the sensitive formula. Unfortunately it made him constipated within 24 hours and then he passed some really difficult stools. So now we are sticking with what works, THE SIMILAC!
By Federal Law, all formulas, store brands included, must undergo the same restrictions, requirements, and guidelines. With us, it wasn’t about price, we would pay whatever necessary for safe, nutritional formula that promoted our children’s brain and other development. However, saving money was an issue if we could. We researched and found that the well known store/generic brands meet or exceed all federal requirements. I believe that the American Pediatric Association website would have some information.
We used generic with both of our kids once they were weaned. With my daughter we did use name brand for a little while because the doctor’s office had given us a can as a sample and she seemed to take okay to it so I was afraid to switch. Once we tried it though she had no problems with it. I have used Member’s Mark, Target brand and Parent’s Choice all depending on what was on sale and I never had any issues. Just stick with the same color can and it is all pretty much the same. I will say that I prefered the Target brand just because of the consistency. It was easily scoopable, but dissolved quickly. Some of the others were a bit more clumpy IMO.
I even wrote an article about this and other saving tips for babies on associated content. Here is the link if anyone wants to check it out. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/460552/offsetting_the_estimated_7000ayear.html?cat=25
ok, here is how i got formula for both of my boys practically for free! we use/d goodstart supreme. on top of the coupons they send, they would also frequently run deals at stores (Catalinas) where you would get BOGOs or $5 or $10 off a 12 or 24 oz can. The seemed to switch back and forth between enfamil for a few months and then they’d run goodstart. When my brand was running I’d go to ebay and buy a ton of coupons along with the Goodstart checks. Between the $10 off Catalina and a $11 Goodstart check that pretty much paid for a can. When it would run, I would work the deal to death for a few weeks and then I’d have my formula for the year!
Also, I was a faithful member of the Whattoexpect.com site and made lots of friends so I’d send them my Similac and Enfamil coupons and they’d send me their Goodstart checks. So, network for those coupons!
**note** I just briefly checked ebay and it looks like the deal is running for enfamil right now!!! Do you have an Albertsons? I see some one is selling the Albertsons $5 off Enfamil CATS. Combine those with the checks and you’re well on your way!
i get the checks and take advantage of CVS’ deal when they so the 2/10 on ready to feed. my son seems to like it better.
I recently switched from Enfamil/Similac to generic brands such as Publix brand (local grocery store) for $16.99 a can and then found Kirkland Signature from Costco which is only $19.95 for two cans. My son hadn’t even noticed the switch. I wish I had used it from the beginning. Formula is regulated by the FDA so you have nothing to worry about with generic brands. A friend also told me today that she really likes the Kirkland Signature baby wipes so I’ll be making a switch to those as well. Yay Costco!
I am in the same boat – four babies and as hard as I try, very uncooperative boobies. Here is what I do:
1 – Sign up myself, my mom, my mother in law, my best friend, everybody I know on all the websites: Enfamil, Similac, GoodStart, etc. They send both samples and checks. The stores do not care whose names are on the checks.
2 – If you have a Costco near you, Costco sells the cans of Similac that are larger than the ones at Sam’s. They also take the checks because they are not coupons. You can get a gigantic can of Similac for $15 this way.
3 – I kept my babies on Similac from Costco for the first 4 months. Once they began solids, I switched brands with no problem. Then I used up all those other checks and samples, and also bought whatever was on sale. Periodically Target will switch their label and clearance out all their formula – once my mom went to two Targets to buy me about 25 cans of formula that was marked down to $9.99 only because they changed the label.
4 – Ask the pediatrician’s nurse for samples every time you go.
5 – I begin the switch to cow’s milk at 10 months. I start by giving them one bottle a day, then a week later two, etc so that by one year they are exclusively on milk.
6 – In the hospital, each time they brought my baby on the cart I removed the formula that was in the bottom of the trolley. They replenished it, I removed it again (I/my insurance company certainly paid for it.) Ask the nurses at the hospital to give you more. If one nurse says no, ask another.
My twins solely use Enfamil. I know and highly respect someone who works at Mead Johnson, and yes, some of the cost goes to marketing, but they’re also leaders in research. The bargain brands are using MJ’s recipes, so to speak. You won’t see Target or Sams Club coming out with a new formula.
Anyway, since nursing twins while taking care of two older children was practically impossible, I found that I qualified for WIC. WIC uses Enfamil and if you qualify, they provide roughly 80% of your monthly supply. The rest I buy either at Sams Club $32 for 38 oz) or through sales at drugstores.
I used enfamil, and switched to to the wal-mart brand. my daughter did amazing with it. it is half the price and just as good!! however, when we tried to target brand, she did get diarrhea until we switched her back to the wal-mart brand. hope this helps
I know it’s been said earlier but WIC is available for a reason. If your child has a particular eating disorder that won’t allow lactos, soy, etc, a script for their doctor will allow WIC to pay for the specialized formulas they need verses what ever the standard at the time is.
All three of my children were unable to breastfeed. My oldest due to a breast infection. My middle due to a lactos intolerance and GERD, and my baby girl due to the worse cause of GERD I have ever seen. Each child needed a different thing and WIC came through for us.
What WIC didn’t cover, because I had healthy eaters with bit appetites once we found what worked, the formula checks that companies send out did, so always, always sign up for the programs formula programs offer.
Also look for programs at your local market. Publix offers a baby program and Kroger used to. You may find money saving offers where you shop.
If your really want to use Enfamil or another specific name brand then sign up for their Coupon Program. Get other Family and Friends to sign up as well. Also certain stores also have Catalina’s (coupons that print out at the register) for certain formula that will print out when you use the store card. I was getting huge discounts from Stop and Shop on Enfamil $13 and change off 2 cans any size. If you have other people purchase a can of formula with their store card they will get the coupons when the shop at the store from time to time.
Also find out what formula other mom’s are using and sign up for those brand’s coupon clubs and have them sign up for the brand your using. Exchange coupons.
Ask at your Pediatrician’s Office, Check with your OB/GYN, I know my DD’s Pedi had a coupon basket where they offered coupons and parents could give and take coupons.
See if you qualify for WIC. Though know that each state uses a different brand of formula ( Similac, Nestle Good Start, Enfamil). You should talk to your child’s Pedi’s as soon as possible if your going to want to use a different type of formula other then Milk Based so you can get a note since they give you Milk Based right off the bat.
We used the Walmart Brand during months when the WIC formula was not enough to last the whole month. My DD who had Reflux issues and was on Soy Formula did fine switching back and forth between brands. I found she actually did better with her reflux when on the Walmart Brand then the WIC offered brand which was Nestle Good Start.
I also found that the Walmart brand was the same price for a LARGE can as it was for the SMALL can of the name brand formula. Use powder over concentrate or ready to feed to save more money as well.
As your baby increases their formula intake offer a smaller amount and if they finish it and are still hungry offer more to keep from having to throw out uneaten ounces. You can also make a small batch of formula in a sip and saver or other storage container and store in the Fridge..Then just warm up a bottle of formula in a crock pot of water as you need it. Formula stored in a container is good for 24 hours as long as the child is not drinking out of the container.
I nursed for about six months and then used Enfamil samples until we had to buy more formula. When those were finished we opted for something cheaper but Enfamil seemed to work the best for him(we tried many brands). Saying that, we found decent deals on Enfamil formula. I had signed up at Enfamil.com to receive the formula checks and received them almost the entire year(later on we recieved the checks for the toddler formula which we loved too!)
We found good deals at Walgreen for the most part. When the formula would go on sale for $22, we would use the $5 off $20 purchase(They haven’t had these for a while but Rite Aid has so You can probably check Rite Aid too). If there happened to be a $2 coupon in the newspaper, I would use that too. Depending on the check amount and if coupons were available, the total would be 13-17. I would stock up on those trips with separate transactions(my husband and mother did transactions too with the $5 off $20 coup) until there was a sale again. Also, about six months ago or so there was a $10 rebate for three cans and sent that in when I stocked up at Walgreens. My total then was $26 for three cans after rebates, coupons, and checks. That was the best deal I had on Enfamil.
Kroger also has a catalina for a Buy ONe get one free Enfamil of the smaller can that I used whenever I would get one. They usually are dispensed after purchasing baby products or formula but not sure exactly what you need to purchase. I received one the other day if you would like to have it. Let me know and I would be glad to send it to you! Jbchap930@gmail.com
Keep a look out for sales, coupons, and those checks. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for wanting to use Enfamil or not being able to breastfeed. I hope I was helpful. Take care and Congrats! =)
OK so I totally did not add up my amounts correctly. Not sure what I was thinking. Anyways, I would get the Enfamil at Walgreens around $10-15 depending on if I had the coupons, checks, and sales. I would receive $5 or $7 dollar checks and when you put it with the $5 off $20 purchase it would make it between those amounts. Sorry about that. Make sure you give the $5 off $20 or $25 purchase first then the checks because they count as a payment type. Like I mentioned before Walgreens hasn’t had them lately but Rite Aid has and not sure if the formula goes on sale there.
Make sure to talk to your pediatrician. They are always getting a ton of samples. My friend’s son requires a special formula that is really expensive. Every time the baby sees the DR. they give my friend some of the special formula. never hurts to ask!
EBAY!!!
My husband and I just adopted 5 months ago, so we have been strictly formula. I started out with Enfamil and tried others, but they always seemed to negatively affect his digestive system (stickier, nastier on the exit). So, I started trying to figure out how I could go back to Enfamily as cheaply as possible.
1. Make sure to sign up on Enfamil for the Enfamil Beginnings program. We’ve gotten several trial cans mailed to us as well as regularly receiving $5.00 off cans.
2. In our area, Toys R Us is the cheapest place to buy the big cans – $21 instead of $25 at Walmart & Target. I know, it shocked me too. If you combine the $5.00 coupons with that, you are down to $16 for a large can.
3. Another recent one is that my friend keeps getting buy 1 get 1 free on the small cans (exactly half of the big ones) at Walgreens from their catalina machines any time she buys anything baby related. She gives those to me and I had $5.00 off catalinas too. I combined those one two cans and paid $8.99 for the equivalent of one of the big cans.
Anytime you can get “the real stuff” for cheaper than the store brands, I’m all about that.
I started using Enfamil with coupons, but when those ran out, I switched to the Wal-Mart brand, milk-based, sensitivity formula (DS was a big spitter-upper). DS showed no problems, even when I switched back and forth when the coupons showed up.
i know a lot of places for freebies for formula but my list is to long to post on here so ill give you the link to MY group on cafe mom group..i have posted a list on there some time ago that has free formula and my memebers have found helpful..plz feel free to use that list..you dont have to be a memeber to look at the list..
http://www.cafemom.com/group/49836/forums/read/4226819/FREEBIES
i hope this helps anyoen who needs the freebies..
good luck with your new baby and congrats!
Dear Sariah–
I can’t tell you much about formula brands, but if you have a Crisis Pregnancy Center in your town, you could check to see if they have a material assistance program. They offer a wide variety of formulas for free, in return for such things as reading parenting articles, attending church, prenatal appointments, working, volunteering, etc. Typically there are no income restrictions, and we seemed to always have an ample supply. If you have enough time, you can build up a bit of a stash (expiration dates permitting :0)!)
Please consider MilkShare! Milkshare helps moms connect with other moms who will donate their milk for free, usually for the cost of dry ice shipping! That works out quite cheap if the mom can ship a lot of milk at a time. It’s a great way for moms who can’t breastfeed to give their babies the gift of breastmilk.
I’ve compared ALL of the ingredients in the COSTCO brand formula to those in SIMILAC and have found that they are almost in identical in composition. If you compare ingredients in SIMILAC and ENFAMIL, you will find that they too are almost exactly the same.
That being said, I’ve found you can get DOUBLE the amount of COSTCO formula at half the price of the name brand. We used it all the time after I figured that out and saved a TON of money!
I hope this helps and GOOD LUCK
After having our twins, they were born 2 months early, the hospital put them on Similac Neocare….can’t remember the name…special formula but I do know that it was similac. ANYWAYS it was hard to find so I ask my doctor where I could find this brand because I was having trouble finding it in the stores…..HE SAID THAT HE WOULD TALK TO THE REP. that always stops by his office and get them to deliver me some …free of charge. I was so grateful. So a few days past maybe 4 days and when we came home one afternoon there were CASES of formular sitting on our porch! I was overwhelmed! I thought mayber a can or two at the least…I never thought that I would receive enough formula that would last my twins until they were ayear old!
So ask your docotor to give a formula REP. a call….
My daughter LOVED the formula at Costco and her doctor said it was very comparable to Enfamil. They also have 100% guarantee so if it doesn’t work out, just take it back!
I have 8 $5 coupons and 1 $3 coupons for Walgreens that I am willing to give away, all due to exp at the end of April. I also have 4 $5 coupons for Similac due to exp 08/09. I will be more that happy to send them to anyone who needs them.
I used both Walmart and Sams generic formulas for all of my kids. Two of them also has sensitive tummies, so i had to use soy versions with them. I actually came to these brands after trying all the more expensive name brands. they actually made the reflux worse.
Formulas must meet strict federal guidelines. There is nothing wrong with the store brands and they can save you lots over the year of formula feeding!
Good lUck!
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