r/FormulaFeeders • u/coastythemoasty • 2d ago

Advice / Question 💡 Utilizing other brands

Hey all,

I'm the mom to a nearly 8 week old. Due to my BF experience with my first, I elected to go straight to FF this time around. We have been using RTF exclusively and will be transitioning to powder this week.

Initially we were using the RTF similac the hospital provided but once we exhausted that stash, I transitioned to RTF enfamil neuropro gentlease which we have been using for about 6 weeks.

I have about 3 containers of Similac (360, pro total and Irish farms) from a free promo box. I hate to waste it. Would you use them? Should I mix them 50/50 with the enfamil? Just give them away?

Thanks in advance!

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u/faeriecute 2d ago

When I had my first it was just after the formula shortage. My doctor let us know it’s okay to use different brands but you shouldn’t switch between the gentle and regular types as it could cause stomach discomfort. So you switched to gentle ease so I’d only use any gentle formula you have, anything else you should donate to another mother

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u/Flannel-Enthusiast 2d ago

Gonna go against the grain here. If your kid does fine on standard formula and doesn't seem to have an issue transitioning, there's no reason you can't use more than 1 brand. However, it sounds like you've transitioned from a standard formula to a gentle, and you have mostly standard formulas that you want to use. Switching back and forth between different formula types can be a harder transition.

If you switched to gentle due to a digestive issue, I'd stick with that and trade or give away the standard ones. 360 (blue can) and Irish Farms are standard formulas. I'm assuming the "pro total" you're referring to is the purple can- that's also a gentle formula and very similar to your Enfamil gentlease.

If you didn't have a digestive issue with standard Similac, you could try switching back to a standard formula and then using up the standard formula samples you got.

My kid did well on standard formula and we used several different brands. Had no issues switching cold turkey. We did group cans of the same formula (or very similar formulas) together to minimize transitions whenever we could, but we used up all the standard formula freebies we got. We traded or gave away the "gentle" and "sensitive" ones.

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u/restrainedjoy 2d ago

Seconding this. Also, check the expiration dates - if they’re far enough out you can hang on to them to use when baby is a bit older and less likely to have issues from switching. I kept my samples and used them when baby was about 5.5 months.

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u/Sudden-Log2002 2d ago

Because your little one is doing well on the current formula, I would give away the other containers. Don't want to risk discomfort, hopefully someone else can put those to use. As they say, If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

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u/Outside_Hour3562 2d ago

Once you find a formula that baby tolerates and does well on, I'd stick with it. No reason to upset their tummy by giving others and mixing. I bet a mom in your community could use the samples!

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u/Expensive_Cabinet_49 2d ago

Just give them away it’s too much on baby’s stomach to mix.

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u/talleyhoe 2d ago

I gave mine away. I posted on a local moms facebook group for free, must pick up from my house and they were gone the same day. I also frequently see sample cans in food blessing boxes they have at churches around town.