Hey, Mom: 3 Reasons to Buy Store-Brand Baby Formulas
Hey, Mom: 3 Reasons to Buy Store-Brand Baby Formulas
The job of motherhood comes with enough guilt, without others adding to the trip. Some mothers look down on those who choose baby formula instead of breast milk, without even knowing the reasons behind the decision, while others cast a critical eye on fellow mothers who chose store-brand baby formulas to feed their newborns. With that in mind, I put together the following three reasons to buy store-brand formula instead of any of the well-known baby formula brands. Read on and save at the supermarket.
1. All formulas meet the same United States Food and Drug Administration nutritional guidelines and safety criteria. So, whether you buy a store-brand formula or a national brand, your baby gets the necessary nutrition as dictated by the federal government.
2. Store-brand formulas cost less, much less, than national baby formula brands. Having a new baby in the family stretches the budget of most any household. Naturally, you don’t want to scrimp in this important area, but you don’t have to. As noted in the first reason on this list, you baby will get the necessary nutrition with a store-brand formula at up to half the price. Do the math, and you’ll discover that store-brand formula can save you up to $600 per year. That’s $600 you can put in your baby’s college fund instead.
3. Nearly all of the store-brand baby formulas are made by the same manufacturer, making it easy to get formula when you need it. If you buy your baby formula at a certain big-box club or grocery store chain, you don’t have to stress about switching formulas if you are away from home and not near your preferred store.
Keeping all of this in mind, how could you not opt for store-brand formula over any of the well-known baby formula brands. Your child won’t know or care about the difference, unlike when she grows up and demands designer jeans instead of those without the fancy label, and you can feel confident knowing your baby’s nutritional needs are being met while you save money and easily find the formula whenever necessary.
Now that I’ve given you my three reasons to choose store-brand baby formulas, here are a few tips on formula bottles in general for you brand-new moms. First, buy nipples with a hole small enough so that the formula drips out slowly. Rubber nipples work well, but silicone nipples give your baby better control over the formula flow. Feed your baby formula that is room temperature or above – test the formula on the inside of your wrist if you do heat it – to keep from upsetting his or her stomach. Also, heat the formula in the bottle in a pan full of water; never microwave formula as the uneven heating can result in the formula burning your baby’s throat. Sterilize before using nipples for the first time, then just wash bottles and nipples by hand or on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Happy feeding!
About the Author: Patty Cohen’s “Hey, Mom” column runs in a number of parenting publications. She has four children, three whom she breast-fed and one who required formula instead. She learned that store-brand formula offers the same nutritional benefits as well-known baby formula brands and now educates others on the subject whenever she can.