Switching from Similac to Enfamil (Add On)

Updated on April 24, 2008
J.S. asks from Jacksonville, FL
18 answers

My daughter has been supplementing with Similac Advanced but was given a container of Enfimil at the hospital. They are the same as far as ingrediants and the DHA and ARA. Could she use that can of Enfamil before buying another can of the Similac? TJ is 10 1/2 wks old and does very well on the supplement formula. I watch him during the day and told her I would ask since she is at work. Thanks,
J.
****Thank you all for your advice. I have given my daughter all of your info and will let her decide. I think she was thrilled to hear that the Sam's brand and Publix brand would do just as well. You are right about having to save any way you can, especially lately!!! Thanks and I will let you all know what she decides ok. J.

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So What Happened?

TJ is doing great on the Enfamil! Thanks to all of you who responded. I have been so busy taking care of TJ and playing with him that I don't get on my computer much anymore. My daughter and son in law went to Orlando today with TJ so I am at home with free time. Thought I should take this time to respond to all of you and thank you all. He just started vegetables and fruits last week. The Doc says he is 2 months ahead of schedule in holding his head and back up. The little guy is trying to sit up straight and he's only 4 months old!!! He talks up a storm and mimics all of us sooo much!!! I am truley amazed at babies these days. They sure to advance quickly. Thanks again!!!!!!!!! J.

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J.M.

answers from Gainesville 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

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A.L.

answers from Ocala on

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'!!!!

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M.M.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

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!

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M.V.

answers from Ocala on

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!

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A.A.

answers from Jacksonville on

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.

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K.T.

answers from Orlando on

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.

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T.K.

answers from Jacksonville on

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!

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E.B.

answers from Louisville on

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.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

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

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P.E.

answers from Panama City on

Ask a peds nurse read the label

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P.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

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.

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A.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

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.

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C.P.

answers from Gainesville on

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.

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M.H.

answers from Gainesville on

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.

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J.P.

answers from Tallahassee on

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.

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K.W.

answers from Orlando on

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.

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F.R.

answers from Pensacola on

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.

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B.T.

answers from Orlando on

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.

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