Switching from Similac to Enfamil (Add On)

Formula is basically exactly the same, except for those with added DHA and such. I did the same thing with my daughter, started her on the similac because I had those sample cans at my house but switched the enfamil because I personally chose it based on the DHA values. I did talk to her peditrician about it, and she said it was fine. Some babies may have stomach sensitivies, but my daughter had no problem switching at all. Congrats on being a nana! I have a nana too, haha

I personally have seen what happens when some (not all) babies are changed from one formula to another without a legitimate reason (lack of growth, vomitting, diarrhea)they generally have an upset tummy for at least a few days. It just isn't worth it to 'see' if there will be a problem when the child is doing so well on the formula she is on now.

BTW, congrats on becoming a 'Granny'!!!!

Hospitals often have contracts and/or incentives to use one product over the other. Often times, it is just a matter of difference in the brand--not in the quality of a product (as in this case). In other words, the hospital just probably gives Enfamil instead of Similac, but either formula is okay. And, if you prefer, you can switch back to Similac and continue to use it. What it amounts to in this case is six of one and half a dozen of the other!

My son is amazing. He eats anythin... I nurse in mornings and evenings and during the day if I'm home I nurse or if he's at dayrcare or playdates, we use a bottle. He drinks ANYTHING!!! I usually have him on enfamil lipil but we've done other brands, other thicknesses, and so far, he's been fine with everything!!! Good luck!

Hi J.,

I just went through switching my daughter from Similac Advance to Enfamil also. She has not had any issued with it at all. She is 5 months old now. The reason why I switched her is because her day care provides Enfamil for free. So it saves my husband and I a nice chunk of change each month. Now instead of buying two cans from BJ's we only buy one a month. =) I called and checked with her pediatrician before I made the switch and she said it shouldn't be a problem because they are both very similar and she hasn't had any other issues with her formula now. So I reccomend calling his dr. make sure its okay, and if yes. Switch for the time being. I have a friend who has a 1 1/2 year old and she went back and forth between Similac and Enfamil all the time. If one was cheaper than the other she would get that one.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

A.

For what it's worth I was using Similac Advanced and just like you had some Enfamil Lipil on hand, so I decided to try it. My son actually likes it better and seems to tolerate it better. I'm glad we gave it a try.

J.-
My daughter is 3 months and as you probably did as well I got TONS of samples and coupons for all different formula. I have tried many different formulas, similac advanced, enfamil, target brand. My daughter never had a problem. And if you compare the ingredients they are all pretty much the same. I know enfamil and the Target Brand are the EXACT same thing. So you may want to try that once your done with all the coupons and samples. I know it has saved us TONS of money. Enfamil runs $23-26.00 per can whereas Target Brand runs $13.49 a can. BIG DIFFERENCE and its the same ingredients. Just thought I would let you know that incase you wanted to save some money. I even asked my doctor and she said it was the same stuff. So good luck and if your in the middle of trying to switch formulas just do it gradually. Give her a bottle or 2 of the new stuff at day 1, then each day increase it. Good Luck!

Unless he has had trouble with digestion (lactose intolerance, gas, colic or whatever) this probably will not affect him at all. Not only did I use all of my free samples with my first child, no matter what brand they were, I switched her to "generic" store brand formula when she was about 6 months old and never noticed a difference, plus I saved a ton of money.

A quick call the the doctor's office will give you the best answer!

Ask a peds nurse read the label

I would hold off before changing anything... at least for a few more weeks. If he is happy with what he currently has, switching up may cause problems this soon. Also, your pediatrician will probably have suggestions and could answer that ? over the phone.

Congratulations on your grandson! Good Luck!!

--P. M.

It might make her a little gasy for a few days. That was the only thing I ran into. Just get a little gas-x for babies for while you switch just incase.

With my first, we were strictly on Enfamil. With the second, we got some samples, a friend had too much with her WIC, I used coupons. Bottom line, we switched alot and there was no problems.

With my first son, I breast fed and supplemented with Enfamil exclusively. But then when Number 2 came around it was a whole different story. I started out supplementing with Enfamill again, but then I started getting coupons and free samples of Similac and Nestle. At first I was hesitant to switch it up on him, but with formula being so expensive and money being tighter with two now, I decided to give it a try. He didn't even notice the change. After that, I would buy whatever I had a coupon for or whatever was cheapest, including Walgreens and Publix brands, and it never even phased him. Nowadays pretty much all brands of formula provide equal nutrtion. I wouldn't worry, especially since he is getting most of his nutrition from breast milk. If your grandson has no special nuitritional needs and doesn not have an allergy or require a special formula, I would suggest definitley using the free stuff.

As long as the can wasn't opened, it shouldn't be a problem. Some babies do better with one formula over another, but if he is having no problem with regular Similac, switching is fine. You don't have to stay with one formula for his whole life. Even a lot of the store brand formulas are exactly the same as the name brands--to the point that some are even made by the same overall companies! So if you have some free formula, I say use it. If it turns out that he has some gas or starts spitting up more, then you know the Similac works better for him. But I don't think one is healthier or anything like that.

I don't see why not--if she is not having any problems with the Similac, I doubt she will have any problems with the Enfamil. Most recommend sticking to one brand/type once you have found one that works, but if they are the same ingredients, it would be a shame to waste the can you got.

Jennifer is right on. They have standards they have to meet regardless of brand so they're pretty much the same. Unless you start switching to soy and back it shouldn't be a problem. I've got 4 children and they've used just about every formula out there. The last started on enfamil, then similac, then back to enfamil, then to the Parent's Choice and Sam's Club store brands. I used up all the coupon/checks I had gotten in the mail first then went for the cheaper priced kind. It didn't bother him at all, but he wasn't a very sensitive boy. Some kids react different. Won't hurt to try.

Hi J.,

When my youngest was born last June the Pediatrician at the hospital told me it was completely fine to switch between formulas. He said they are all made the same and if you wanted to buy whatever was on sale that week to go ahead, it won't hurt the baby.

Hope that helps!

-B.