im a mother with money problems, and i chose an inexpensive formula for my daughter (walmart brand, parent's choice), i knew about dha and i never bought it, my dd had colic for the first 4 months, i dont know if it had anything to do with it tho. here's the problem i am having another baby, and i still have money problems, is it wrong to get the inexpensive formula??

I don't think so.... lots of brain surgeons and engineers were bottle fed on the old fashioned formulas without DHA. My DH was, and he's one of the smartest people I know. I really don't think it always has alot to do with it. My DS was colicky regardless of what formula I gave him. He was even colicky from my breastmilk!

I will be getting the more expensive stuff from WIC once the next month rolls around (switching from the breastfeeding package) but in the meantime, we have been giving her the Base Exchange Store Brand (we're military) because we just cant afford the expensive stuff. We pay $12 for one of those huge cans of powder. If you read the ingredients on the store brands like Parent's Choice, there is very little difference in nutrition from the regular name brands that don't have the DHA.

If you can't afford it, you can't afford it, and the basic nutrion is all the same. Just my 2 cents! However, if you have money problems, have you thought about applying for your states WIC program? It will buy your formula for you, and they give you the good stuff.

Don't worry about it. The FDA regulates this stuff, so you aren't buying anything that is BAD. I looked into that Walmart brand before my 2nd was born. It is almost similar to the other stuff. Stressing about formula is the last thing you need right now :)

My little girl drinks the parents choice formula too. She is just fine. There is nothing wrong with buy the cheaper stuff. I think they are all pretty close to the same anyways just different names and prices. Now the wal-mart brand does carry one that has the dha and ara. It cost a little more then the plan wal mart brand, but still much cheaper then similac or enfamil. The parents choice has a comparesion chart right on the back to compare it with similac and enfamil. I did compare we use to buy similac and it really is the same. You are not bad for wanting to buy cheaper formula for your baby. Lot of us out there do it and our children are just fine. Like i said before i really don't thing there is that much differince in the formulas. Have you also tryed getting wic. That could be a real help if you can get it. I would if i could.

I live in canada, so i dont think we have that program.

I have heard that inexpensive formula is just as good as the brand name stuff. I don't know if there are generic brands that have DHA or not but you could look into that. Also, if you breastfeed until you have to go to work, it is FREE and easy and really nutritious. Just a thought. Good luck :angel:

Heck back in the old days it would have been goats milk straight from the goat!

My DD can't tolerate the DHA ARA kind.I supplement nursing w/ formula, her doc said that some babies are sensitive to it so I have to use the cheaper stuff.I was concerned and he said it's just as good.Don't be concerned just do the best you can good luck.

Please consider breastfeeding your baby. It's free and the best thing for the baby.

i would consider it if i didn't need to be on medications, that will harm the baby,

No, you are not selfish for buying inexpensive formula. Alot of babies have tender stomachs and can become gassy, colicky, etc. So as long as the baby is tolerating the formula then there is no reason to feel selfish or guilty.

I've been feeding my 5 month old son Meijer brand, which is only $13 for a two pound can of powder formula. I think they are all just about the same, just different names and different prices.

After buying Isomil for over a year we ended up trying a Target store brand formula, and we like it better. Money is not the issue. Isomil soy really takes some serious shaking to get all the granules to dissolve – enough to make your arm sore. But the Target soy formula totally dissolves with just a few shakes.

We wish we'd discovered store-brand formula eariler!

My son drank the Target brand formula and he is just great!

I don't know for sure about Walmart formula, but most generic or store brands are actually made by a name brand, and it most other things the only difference is the packaging and price!! I think you baby will be fine, besides you already know your other child did fine on the formula. I may actually check it out myself. My son has been off formula for a month now, but I am almost 17 wks pregnant and every penny helps so we may try the walmart brand.

You are quite right. I believe the Parents Choice if you look at the bottom of the box and compare it to Similac Advance they are made in the same place. I'm pretty sure that Similac makes Parents Choice for Walmart. I also live in Canada and just happen have been a manager of the baby dept. at Walmart for the past 6 years. The amt. of that formula we sell is staggering so you are not the only one that uses it. I use goodstart myself, but use parents choice diapers and wipes. I know for sure that Parents Choice has an equivilent with Dha but as of when I went on mat. leave we only carried it in the 900g pwd. It was around $19 compared to $27 for goodstart. As others said, as long as your baby is taking it and thriving then you have nothing to worry about. Good luck! ;)