View Full Version : Difference between cheap and expensive formulas??
Does anyone know what the difference is between the cheap and expensive formulas?
DS has been fully breast fed up until now but as I am returning to work I am trying to wean him onto formula for through the day and just breastfeed him morning and night. We have the SMA formula which DH bought when I first came out of hospital and was stressing that I wouldn't have enough milk so I have started with that and so far DS is fine but I notice it is much cheaper than some other formulas. Why is this? Am I depriving DS of something important or is it just different brands?
I'm Confused!
Personally I don't think there's any difference between the cheaper and more expensive formulas. We had DS on S26 Gold at $22 a tin and then went to Heinz Nurture at $11 a tin and he didn't even notice the transition.
hayleylea
21-06-2006, 14:22
I use SMA and my DS is fine. It was actually recommended to me by the CHN. Its especially good for hungary babies as it fills them up for longer. I find it great...i started on S26 gold aswell but my DS got constipated.....The thing is in Australia ALL forumlas have to meet nutritional standards so they are all pretty much of a muchness. The GOLD brands apparently have more stuff in it but its each to their own :)
Thanks girls, you have helped put my mind at rest, I think I'll just carry on with the cheap stuff, he is still growing and seems perfectly happy on it.
hayleylea
21-06-2006, 14:27
Thats it if he is happy on it no need to change him :) :thumbsup:
angcaltam
21-06-2006, 14:31
I really don't think there is a difference. It is just whatever works for bubs. Some might not agree with him but others will. If you have found one that works then stick with it.:yes:
SMA and s26 has exactly the same stuff in them and are made by the same company it even has the same scoop so i have been told. I amgoing to put DS on that as soon as i have finished this lot. I think it is just a cheaper name, and that way the company will get the whole range of buyers, both top end and bottom end lol
~EmsMum~
22-06-2006, 19:26
ive just put DD on the cheap heinz stuff and shes doing fine
Shazbutt
22-06-2006, 19:34
We were using the normal s26, but have recently changed to Heinz Nurture, and DD hasn't even noticed. Like hayleyea said, all Aussie formulas have to meet certain standards, so you can be sure even the cheaper formulas are up to par with the others.
If you lined all of the tins up together, you would find that they are all very similar in content and nutritional value!
Most of the additives that are touted to be "so incredibly important" for baby are things that only have a life of a few day/hours after opening the tin anyway, so you are paying extra for, basically "fresh air"!
Both of my kids started out (after ebm for 6 weeks) on sma ... they are perfectly healthy, no allergies and besides my dd having an immune deficiency to gastro - normal, active and intelligent kids!
Shazbutt is so right ... there are incredibly stringent standards governing formula production here (and NZ where sma is made) ... if breastfeeding isn't working then our kids have a pretty good alternative with local formula!
mumtok&z
23-06-2006, 15:52
I have used Lactogen for both boys. S26 constipated them and made them whingy. Mum and nanna both used it too so if it is still going today it must be ok for 11 bucks a tin!
I went for the heinz nuture gold
They dont have any GM ingredients and its made in NZ.
I get a discount with private health insurance at the chemist
What is SMA?
DS is breastfed but has occasionally had formula when I had problems with my breasts and I had him on S26. Didn't have a problem, so I'm not sure if I should just stick with that or try something cheaper? I will probably stick with what works for when I give him formula.
There is a very simple explanation for the price difference in formulas...
Some are made by "food" companys like Heinz, they can have a lower margin for formula because they sell predominantly "food"
Others like "Whyeth" are pharmasutical (sp?) companies so their product has a higher margin...
InSaneOne
03-07-2006, 20:06
i am using heinz nurture and i love it. the only problem i have with it is you can't get it in the stick packs anymore. they don't sell them retail as it was getting too expensive for them to make it. as everyone has said - the standards are very high and all the different brands are very similar in content. i like heinz as i can get it for $11 and it doesn't contain genetically modified ingredients. (it is the only one in australia that doesn't).
Frazzled
03-07-2006, 20:11
we use heinz on the recommendation from our paed, he said he found it the best on the market? so thats a vote for inexpensive:thumbsup:
This is the first time I've actually looked at the bottlefeeding thread.
My baby was breasted till about 2.5 mths then I moved to formula.
Whilst he was great on the breat - it really gave me an un-easy feeling which I can't explain. Like it released a weird hormone in me and made me feel kinda homesick is the best I can explain it.... or empty..?
So anyway - I started on heinz and he's had absolutely no prob with it but I've wondered if there was a difference in the cheaper version so I get him the expensive one. I think it's a mentality thing that if I give him the more expensive one he has to be getting better nutrients.
It doesn't really bother me tho - when I look at it - he still costs less to feed than his daddy and me :) $20 a week isn't bad at all :)
My baby was breasted till about 2.5 mths then I moved to formula.
Whilst he was great on the breat - it really gave me an un-easy feeling which I can't explain. Like it released a weird hormone in me and made me feel kinda homesick is the best I can explain it.... or empty..?
That's EXACTLY how I felt, wow never thought of it like that but yes your spot on!
The only difference is PRICE! They are all fine. There is however more iron in S26 so it tends to constipate alot of babies. DD2 was on Heinze to begin with but when we found out she was lactose intolerant she went to Karicare de-lact.
Ive been through quite a few brands coz DS had colic and we thought it may have been worse with the formula so we ended up on Karicare Sensicare for the first 6 months which was great and now on standard Karicare.
This is a good thread, its actually something I have wondered in the past too. :yes:
Mummy_Johnno
09-07-2006, 16:40
I have heard ( and this could be wrong ) that the formula with the more whey in it is better for bubbas. Heinz is 60% / 40 % which is the same as most of the more expensive ones. The gold versions have added iron or minerals etc.
Heinz nurture is the one i use and i have only feed him 3 bottles but it seriously makes his poo and burps smell like eggs! What the ............... ( i guess it could be something i ate :shame: )
I am feeding my son 1 bottle of formula a day so he is used to something different and BF the other feeds.
I agree, the only real difference is Price
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