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lynnd126
LIF Adult
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Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
This is an article (blog type) all about why parents should not feel guilty using generic formula.
Article
Also, I was looking at the BJ's "Similac" version and saw this disclaimer-
Berkley & Jensen® Advantage™ Milk -Based Infant Formula does not contain the identical propietary ingredient blend of prebiotics, patented levels of nucleotides, lutein, and lycopene in Similac® Advance® EarlyShield®.
Does this mean anything or are the values changed slightly to just not infringe on any patents?
I'm going to BJ's today and I am considering trying their formula. It is less than half the price.
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Posted 4/24/12 10:42 AM  |
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NervousNell
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
My ped told me that all formula by law has to have the same nutritional value.
Let me tell you- we used generic from day 1 (well actually we used generic when we ran out of the free shit the hospital gave us) and we never had an issue.
DD thrived on it.
We started with BJ's...but then she needed a formula for spit up- so we switched to Target brand- because they make so many different varieties.
The price was half.
For us, it worked great.
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| Posted 4/24/12 10:45 AM |
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hdrd0411
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Member since 9/09 1923 total posts
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Maureen
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
IMO - generics should not be used until 6 mths of age bc formula is the sole source of nutrition at this time and generics do not contain the same quality of vitamins and additives as other branded products. Not to say baby won't grow or there is anything wrong with generic but branded are higher quality, and contain properties that make it closer to bm compared to generic. You don't only pay for the brand but also the science behind the formula
If you need to save money buy generic diapers wipes food beauty products etc
My best example is if you take a generic vitamin and rx vitamin and put it in a glass of water with vinegar you will find the generic does not break down as complete as the rx brand bc it is higher quality. Again, not that anything is bad about this but ....
Also, generic products other than regular formula and not the same. They do not partially hydrolyze their proteins - read the label
Formulas contain patents and can not be duplicated. But if you need to use generic no harm will come to your bany
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| Posted 4/24/12 11:33 AM |
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by hdrd0411
IMO - generics should not be used until 6 mths of age bc formula is the sole source of nutrition at this time and generics do not contain the same quality of vitamins and additives as other branded products. Not to say baby won't grow or there is anything wrong with generic but branded are higher quality, and contain properties that make it closer to bm compared to generic. You don't only pay for the brand but also the science behind the formula
If you need to save money buy generic diapers wipes food beauty products etc
My best example is if you take a generic vitamin and rx vitamin and put it in a glass of water with vinegar you will find the generic does not break down as complete as the rx brand bc it is higher quality. Again, not that anything is bad about this but ....
Also, generic products other than regular formula and not the same. They do not partially hydrolyze their proteins - read the label
Formulas contain patents and can not be duplicated. But if you need to use generic no harm will come to your bany
I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying but I think it is important that the OP know that you work for a "brand name" formula manufacturer.
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| Posted 4/24/12 12:11 PM |
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luckysmom
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I breast fed for the first 4 months but could not keep up with the twins and i struggled with the decision to switch them to not only formula but generic formula (target's up & up brand). We have twins and needed to save $ everywhere we could. Formula was the most expensive thing. DH and I talked about it, said EFF it! And we used Up & Up since the day we put them on formula. DS had to use the sensitive version and DD was on the regular version so we had to buy 2 different containers of formula. we paid $19.99 for 40oz of up & up as apposed to 23oz of similac for $23.00. Once we put the kids on the formula, we were so happy we did. They gained the weight they needed, and are just fine. Our pediatrician had no problems with it and was very happy with their weight gain. We are expecting # 3 in August and I plan on EBF but if we have to supplement, i will be going with up & up again without hesitation. No reason to feel guilty about it. You do what you feel is right for your child as a mother 
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| Posted 4/24/12 12:27 PM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by hdrd0411
IMO - generics should not be used until 6 mths of age bc formula is the sole source of nutrition at this time and generics do not contain the same quality of vitamins and additives as other branded products. Not to say baby won't grow or there is anything wrong with generic but branded are higher quality, and contain properties that make it closer to bm compared to generic. You don't only pay for the brand but also the science behind the formula
If you need to save money buy generic diapers wipes food beauty products etc
My best example is if you take a generic vitamin and rx vitamin and put it in a glass of water with vinegar you will find the generic does not break down as complete as the rx brand bc it is higher quality. Again, not that anything is bad about this but ....
Also, generic products other than regular formula and not the same. They do not partially hydrolyze their proteins - read the label
Formulas contain patents and can not be duplicated. But if you need to use generic no harm will come to your bany
Thanks! I have read that the generics don't have exactly the same consistency- similar to your vitamin example. hmm
Eta do u say 6 months bc that's when ped's usually have patients start a liquid vitamin?
Message edited 4/24/2012 12:31:58 PM.
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| Posted 4/24/12 12:29 PM |
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babyonthebrain
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Rafaela
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I used the target brand of enfamil with DS #2 for a few months. Once I went bak to wok and could no longer BFeed. The ingredients and percents of vitamins etc..we're almost exactly the same and I actually think it tasted better than the enfamil! DS #2 gained weight and loved it so If I ever have a third I won't hesitate to use it again!
I just read the post about how we should wait until at lest 6 months because it is the only source of nutriet for the baby, and the brand names offer a higer quality product. I can understand the logic behind that and agree.
Message edited 4/24/2012 1:11:29 PM.
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| Posted 4/24/12 1:06 PM |
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lbride
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I looked at formula as only a 1 year expense. for me, it was worth it to use the brand name formula. I'd rather save in other areas that have to do with me... JMO
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| Posted 4/24/12 1:11 PM |
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LoriH
There's no place like home
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Lori
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by NextStopBabytown
Posted by hdrd0411
IMO - generics should not be used until 6 mths of age bc formula is the sole source of nutrition at this time and generics do not contain the same quality of vitamins and additives as other branded products. Not to say baby won't grow or there is anything wrong with generic but branded are higher quality, and contain properties that make it closer to bm compared to generic. You don't only pay for the brand but also the science behind the formula
If you need to save money buy generic diapers wipes food beauty products etc
My best example is if you take a generic vitamin and rx vitamin and put it in a glass of water with vinegar you will find the generic does not break down as complete as the rx brand bc it is higher quality. Again, not that anything is bad about this but ....
Also, generic products other than regular formula and not the same. They do not partially hydrolyze their proteins - read the label
Formulas contain patents and can not be duplicated. But if you need to use generic no harm will come to your bany
I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying but I think it is important that the OP know that you work for a "brand name" formula manufacturer.
I will also add that my brother in law has a masters in chemistry and headed up the baby formula division at a few of the major manufacturers. He knows a great deal about the industry and many of the brands available. He told me most of the generics are just as good if not better then the name brands.
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| Posted 4/24/12 1:46 PM |
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lynnd126
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by lbride
I looked at formula as only a 1 year expense. for me, it was worth it to use the brand name formula. I'd rather save in other areas that have to do with me... JMO
But that's sort of skipping the point, kwim? If they ARE exactly the same as the pp with the brother in the industry just said, then there's no issue of "worth". If it is the same it's the same. I wouldn't give my baby something lesser if I saved $90 on the can- but IS it lesser or just BS?
That's really what I'm trying to get to the bottom of.
Message edited 4/24/2012 2:04:46 PM.
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| Posted 4/24/12 1:54 PM |
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LemonHead
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I used the BRU brand formula for my DD. We never had any issues with it and I'd use it again with any future children I have.
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| Posted 4/24/12 2:03 PM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
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Kerry
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I am on my last "freebie" jar of similac. Once used up, I'm going to target brand. I did with DS #1 and see nothing wrong with it. Ped didn't mind either
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| Posted 4/24/12 2:06 PM |
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Katareen
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Idk if this is a "good" reason, but in my experience Enfamil is thin, white, dissolves well. Looks like milk.
My SIL uses generic and to me it looks very gray and clumpy. The powder doesn't dissolve as well. I didn't like that at all. I wouldn't drink something that looked like that and wouldnt give to my DC...so when I supplement I use the brand name.
Also using coupons and formula checks I can actually get the brand name for the same if not cheaper!
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| Posted 4/24/12 2:21 PM |
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charon54
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Rebecca
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I used generic Target brand formula for both my kids. To me there was no reason not to, no difference in how it looked, kids didn't seem to notice a different taste (DS #1 was on similac at first).
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| Posted 4/24/12 3:25 PM |
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hotsauce345
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Melody
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
no experience but after looking over the nutritional facts while at BJ's...there is a difference but I don't believe the difference is significant enough to make a difference. I'd consult your ped and see what they say.
That being said somebody just recently posted about how recently she purchased the berkeley and jensen and it smells and apparently tastes different this time around...I'd look into it to make sure there is no re-call on a bad batch or something.
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| Posted 4/24/12 3:30 PM |
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Xelindrya
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by LoriH
Posted by NextStopBabytown
Posted by hdrd0411
...
I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying but I think it is important that the OP know that you work for a "brand name" formula manufacturer.
I will also add that my brother in law has a masters in chemistry and headed up the baby formula division at a few of the major manufacturers. He knows a great deal about the industry and many of the brands available. He told me most of the generics are just as good if not better then the name brands.
I used generic and my pediatrican thought it was a smart idea and totally agreed. I think brand name is just like anything else. yes, they have their own ingredients but side to side nutritionally they are the same. Its like saying both are a basic yellow cake and will serve the same purpose but the brand name has a prettier edge on it. It adds no value.
Meh.
ETA: I used name and generic actually. Luckily AJ was out of formula stage when they found bug parts in Enfamil. she thrived on the combo and I have yet to hear of any negative results directly related to use of generic formula. If the kid takes, it and likes it as well as thrives, what's the true difference?
I've said it before and I'll say it again. NO one when ask her when she's 20yrs old and at an interview..."are you breastfed or formula fed" god help me I hope not and if she said "formula mostly" I hope the next question isn't "But was it Enfamil or Similac" because REALLY?? come ON!
Message edited 4/24/2012 3:38:55 PM.
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| Posted 4/24/12 3:35 PM |
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lucyloo
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I used brand name because I thought and still do think it is of better quality.
ETA: You could show me a bunch of studies, I'd still do brand name.
Message edited 4/24/2012 3:36:34 PM.
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| Posted 4/24/12 3:35 PM |
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Grill
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Member since 4/09 994 total posts
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J
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula?
Because you get what you pay for.
Sorry to be so blunt, but I felt compelled to answer your question because I honestly believe that our babies deserve the best we can give them. For many families generic is the best they can do and it's a struggle for them to get that. I honor and appreciate them for making this sacrifice. However, in my opinion it's not wise to cut corners regarding your child's everyday nutrition. Why short change them if you don't have to? A cell is only as good as the food that nourishes it. And food is only as good as the source it comes from (or the factory it's made in). Growing bodies and minds deserve more. I believe the same thing about dog food too. You are what you eat is a statement that I live by.
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| Posted 4/24/12 4:04 PM |
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babymakes3
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by lynnd126
Posted by lbride
I looked at formula as only a 1 year expense. for me, it was worth it to use the brand name formula. I'd rather save in other areas that have to do with me... JMO
But that's sort of skipping the point, kwim? If they ARE exactly the same as the pp with the brother in the industry just said, then there's no issue of "worth". If it is the same it's the same. I wouldn't give my baby something lesser if I saved $90 on the can- but IS it lesser or just BS?
That's really what I'm trying to get to the bottom of.
Brand name is more expensive because of the marketing. They have commercials. They also need to recoup their cost of giving new mothers free nursettes, trial size cans, coolers, folders of material, t-shirts, keychains, etc.
Otherwise there is no difference. I've used both, interchangeably, with both my kids. Tasted the same, same consistency, filled them up the same. Though my DD always spit up RTF similac.
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| Posted 4/24/12 4:05 PM |
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NervousNell
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by Grill
Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula?
Because you get what you pay for.
Sorry to be so blunt, but I felt compelled to answer your question because I honestly believe that our babies deserve the best we can give them. For many families generic is the best they can do and it's a struggle for them to get that. I honor and appreciate them for making this sacrifice. However, in my opinion it's not wise to cut corners regarding your child's everyday nutrition. Why short change them if you don't have to? A cell is only as good as the food that nourishes it. And food is only as good as the source it comes from (or the factory it's made in). Growing bodies and minds deserve more. I believe the same thing about dog food too. You are what you eat is a statement that I live by.
But what if your ped and the studies and the FDA tell you it is exactly the same?
Does better marketing mean it's better for your child?
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| Posted 4/24/12 4:12 PM |
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Grill
LIF Adult
Member since 4/09 994 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
But what if your ped and the studies and the FDA tell you it is exactly the same?
Does better marketing mean it's better for your child?
I won't take a pediatrician's advice for nutrition. That's not their specialty and they are not educated in that area. They can provide you with their opinion, but so can your neighbor...and to me, they weigh in with the same clout on the topic. One of my biggest complaints about pediatricians is how frequently they give parenting advice...they should stick to offering their assessment on medical issues within the scope of their training.
The FDA may say that a green pepper is a green pepper and tell us that the all peppers have the same calories, sugar, fiber, vitamin c, etc..... But as a mom and a person knowledgable about apples and oranges.... I dig deeper. I ask more questions. Where was the pepper grown? What was the soil content? How was the crop treated for pests? What did they use to ensure a bountiful harvest? ETC, ETC. And then I compare the answers and of course....the peppers are different. One is better...cell for cell. That's the one I'm feeding myself, my child and my dog.
As far as marketing....I get that. Big corporations are owned by even bigger ones. They can afford TV ads during prime time. They can afford fancy packaging and lucrative real estate on store shelves. I don't think that's relevant to the issue though. All formula is NOT created equal...just like grass fed organic beef is NOT the same as Pink Sludge beef from McDonalds. The metabolic effects are radically different...but the beef looks the same!
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| Posted 4/24/12 5:15 PM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Grill
Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula?
Because you get what you pay for.
Sorry to be so blunt, but I felt compelled to answer your question because I honestly believe that our babies deserve the best we can give them. For many families generic is the best they can do and it's a struggle for them to get that. I honor and appreciate them for making this sacrifice. However, in my opinion it's not wise to cut corners regarding your child's everyday nutrition. Why short change them if you don't have to? A cell is only as good as the food that nourishes it. And food is only as good as the source it comes from (or the factory it's made in). Growing bodies and minds deserve more. I believe the same thing about dog food too. You are what you eat is a statement that I live by.
But what if your ped and the studies and the FDA tell you it is exactly the same?
Does better marketing mean it's better for your child?
I agree. I think that response was a good answer/point of view if it was a fact that the generic is not the same. Otherwise it's exactly the scenario that the article is about- a big company preying on a parent's guilt. I think it's obvious that any one of us would give name brand if we believed it wasn't the same. For that, who can even say the generic isn't actually better, like a pp mentioned? Would people still give name brand if they read THAT study?
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| Posted 4/24/12 5:20 PM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
Posted by Grill
But what if your ped and the studies and the FDA tell you it is exactly the same?
Does better marketing mean it's better for your child?
I won't take a pediatrician's advice for nutrition. That's not their specialty and they are not educated in that area. They can provide you with their opinion, but so can your neighbor...and to me, they weigh in with the same clout on the topic. One of my biggest complaints about pediatricians is how frequently they give parenting advice...they should stick to offering their assessment on medical issues within the scope of their training.
The FDA may say that a green pepper is a green pepper and tell us that the all peppers have the same calories, sugar, fiber, vitamin c, etc..... But as a mom and a person knowledgable about apples and oranges.... I dig deeper. I ask more questions. Where was the pepper grown? What was the soil content? How was the crop treated for pests? What did they use to ensure a bountiful harvest? ETC, ETC. And then I compare the answers and of course....the peppers are different. One is better...cell for cell. That's the one I'm feeding myself, my child and my dog.
As far as marketing....I get that. Big corporations are owned by even bigger ones. They can afford TV ads during prime time. They can afford fancy packaging and lucrative real estate on store shelves. I don't think that's relevant to the issue though. All formula is NOT created equal...just like grass fed organic beef is NOT the same as Pink Sludge beef from McDonalds. The metabolic effects are radically different...but the beef looks the same!
But you're not sharing whatever knowledge you've acquired on the subject. I'm not sure if you did research or this is sort of hypothetical using the above examples as other promises from the FDA gone wrong.
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| Posted 4/24/12 5:23 PM |
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Grill
LIF Adult
Member since 4/09 994 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
But you're not sharing whatever knowledge you've acquired on the subject. I'm not sure if you did research or this is sort of hypothetical using the above examples as other promises from the FDA gone wrong.
I'm not sure I understand your question. My response to your original question was more philosophical in nature and not based on any distinct knowledge of one formula over another.
Also, I didn't say that the FDA went wrong. They just don't measure and report on quality. They will give you the calorie count, the ingredients, the nutrition facts...but they will not provide you with quality indicators such as the how much growth hormone was fed to the cows that supplied the milk for the formula (presumably....cheaper formula is a derivative of cheaper cows...which means more growth hormone). The FDA will not tell you if the cows were fed dead cow or genetically modified corn as their primary feed. The FDA does not report on whether the Vitamin B complex is a whole food derivative or a synthetic blend. They just say the quantity of Vit. B.
All I was saying was that in this world you get what you pay for. All marketing aside....I think that a parent should go beyond label comparisons and unqualified pediatrician opinions and when considering their infants primary source of nourishment. My point was that not all Carbs are alike and not all peppers are alike..and not all fruit is alike...just because the labels say they contain the same amount of stuff....that stuff is of a different quality. Hope that makes sense.
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| Posted 4/24/12 6:14 PM |
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DiamondGirl
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DiamondMama
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Re: Can someone give me a good reason to NOT try generic formula? (Article and question)
I went back and forth with this myself and was fully convinced when my ped told me that by federal law all infant formulas must be nutritionally equal and that generic is the exact same.
BJ's actually has a $5 coupon this week so I just paid $14 for 45 oz of their name brand formula  I bought four tubs and used the coupon four times lol
My son had no one issue since the switch, no difference whatsoever!
Message edited 4/24/2012 6:24:57 PM.
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| Posted 4/24/12 6:24 PM |
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