Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

Sorry for crashing your board but I was just curious about formula and switching brands.

The hospital that I will be delivering at uses Similac, but the pediatrician I spoke to and plan on using prefers Enfamil. Is it okay to switch the brands when we leave the hospital since it's such a short time, or is this something that I need to request or provide myself at the hospital if they don't use that brand?

Also, can you switch between powdered and RTF or vice-versa? Or is that not a good idea?

Thanks for any info!

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

honestly? formula is so regulated that pretty much all are the same (unless your baby has digestive/allergy issues...)

so as for regular formulas, I supplemented with the hospital brand (I forget... I think it was enfamil RTF?) and then went home and switched to earths best powder... no problems at all....

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

Personally, I'd ask for Good Start or Gentlease. It seems that most babies tolerate these the best unless they have other GI issues

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

I'm BFing DS but supplementing with formula. We used Similac with DS #1 and plan on using that eventually with DS #2. He was having some digestive issues with the Similac so our ped gave us some samples of Enfamil Gentle Ease (sp?) to use until his digestive system matures a bit. Then she said it will not be an issue to switch back to the Similac. We used both RTF and powder with DS #1 and had no issues switching between the 2 with him. We found that both had their advantages and usually used RTF when we were home and powder when we were on the go. Our ped told us a lot of the formula's on the market have the same ingredients so it's usually a matter of preference (I'm not referring to specialized formulas of course). HTH.

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

I would use what works. If DC takes to the Similac, then I would stick with it and change brands if DC doesn't do well on it.

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

I can't believe your PED is recommending Enfamil over Similac. They are almost the same thing. Don't forget hospitals AND doctors get kickbacks on this stuff. Sounds like that to me....


Enfamil Lipil and Similac advanced are essentially the same

The hospitals usually give RTF and then a lot of moms here switch over to powder. Again, same thing.


I also wouldn't jump into Gentlease or Soy or any of the speciality formulas until you know your DC is having issues with the regular. If they are tolerating the regular then stick with it.

JMO

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

switching brands-no big deal

switching from RTF to powder-no big deal

Both are very common and easy transitions.

Re: Formula Question - Hospital uses one brand, Ped prefers another?

I b/f for 6 months. Then we used Earth's Best Organic formula, I don't like the idea of the pesticides and growth hormones that are in regular dairy and therefore regular formula.