Parent’s Choice Soy-Based Formula Review
I have to admit, ever since I began supplementing Alyson with formula, I’ve been a bit of a formula snob. I always bought name brand and never once thought about getting store brand. I think I subconsciously I thought it wasn’t as good as the name-brand.
But babies go through A LOT of formula. Alyson doesn’t even drink as much formula since she is also breastfed. We’re lucky enough to get 4 of the 12 oz. cans through WIC, but that doesn’t last us a month. Two weeks ago we were at Wal-Mart stocking up on her yogurt bites and puff snacks, when I noticed that the Parent’s Choice 23 oz. can of soy formula cost less than a 12 oz. can of Gerber Good Start. For $14 I figured we could try it out.
When I compared the ingredients in the two cans I was surprised to find that they were the same. They both have DHA/ARA. And they even meet the same FDA minimum guidelines for baby formula. Best of all, after a few days of the new taste, Alyson didn’t even notice a difference.
My only con with this product, and it’s rather nit-picky, is they only have the soy-based formula in the large cans. It would be nice to have a smaller can for people who just want to try it out and not have a lot of formula go to waste if it doesn’t work for their baby. But that’s not really a big deal since it’s cheap anyway and you wouldn’t be out very much money.
We used Parent’s Choice Formula with our twins. The hospital sent us home with a bunch of samples of a name brand formula. When we ran out and went to the store to get more, we had sticker shock once we realized how expensive it was going to be to feed twins. Unfortunately, I physically could not breast feed, so formula was a necessity. We sat down in the aisle at the store, pulling cans of the various formulas off of the shelf and comparing the nutrition labels. It was surprising to see that they were all just about the same thing, yes the Parent’s Choice was half the price, and for a larger container!
We did a little more research about infant formula, and found out that due to certain guidelines made by the FDA, all infant formulas are required to be made nutritionally equal. So, we didn’t have to worry about sub par nutrition, or having to use more to get the right nutrients, etc… It was essentially buying the same formula, with a different label/price.
In the course of a year of formula feeding twins, we saved nearly $1400. We used that money to get other things that they needed.
There’s a formula calculator on the Parent’s Choice website, and it works for pretty much any store brand… but if you enter the name brand formula you use, or consider using, it’ll show you how much you save by using store brands.
http://parentschoiceformula.com/baby-formula-savings-calculator.aspx
I also love their Formula Finder. You can check your baby’s needs and it will suggest which formula might be the best choice for your baby. http://parentschoiceformula.com/parents-choice-formula-finder.aspx