Organic Formulas–Worth the Price?

Posted by rebecca

10 Oct

We’ve written a bit about breastfeeding and introducing cow’s milk, but what about infant formulas? If you chose to feed your baby formula, how did you pick the brand? Did you go with conventional formula or decide on an organic formula?

With so many organic products on store shelves, I was surprised to find very few organic formulas on the market:

Nature’s One Baby’s Only Organic Formula ($8.99 for 12.7 oz container–$.71/oz.) Note: This product claims to be a “toddler formula” and is not recommended for babies under twelve months old.

Earth’s Best Organic Formula ($14.95 for 13.2 oz container–$1.13/oz.)

Similac Organic Formula ($29.99 for 25.7 oz container–$1.17/oz.)

Bright Beginnings Organic Formula($149.95 for six 25.7 oz containers–$.97/oz.) Note: This brand appears to be available only online by the case.

There’s no doubt organic formula costs more than conventional formula. A 12.9 oz. can of regular Similac costs $14.99 at Walgreens ($.86/oz.), and if you buy generic brands, it’s even cheaper. Is it worth it to pay more for formula that isn’t made with pesticides, hormones, and other chemicals? If you, our readers, have had any experience with these or other organic formulas, please post a comment and let us know what you think!

Filed under: Baby Food, Product Reviews

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7 Responses for "Organic Formulas–Worth the Price?"

Rebecca October 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am 1
I think that it would be great to buy organic even if it cost more. There is a problem for some of us though. My LO needs lactose free or soy and so far I can’t find an organic formula that meets those needs. Also, I struggle with the BPA issue. From what I have researched the more expensive brands Similac etc, have less BPA in them (only bottom and lid). The store brand use BPA through out their cans making the content higher. I am sure that as the consumer demands changes that the companies will have to do something, but it is hard to wait in the mean time!
Cathy October 10th, 2008 at 7:00 am 2
That’s a really good question. I nursed, so I don’t have much familiarity with formula. But it probably is to do organic from day one.
Kirstin October 10th, 2008 at 7:15 am 3
I’m really curious about this too. I remember a report a few months ago, though, about a problem with Similac’s Orgainic Formula as being too sweet and therefore, may cause a problem with children later on. This is due to the possibility of bringing on obesity and the inability to change babies to other formula if need be due to the fact that they’re so used to the sweeter formula.

Here’s a New York Times article about it:

http://tinyurl.com/4cgtdr
Laura October 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am 4
I used the Organic Similac Formula. It was the only brand on the market at the time. I breast fed for 11 months but had to stop due to Post Partum Depression. I did not want to go on anti-depressants because then I would have to stop breast feeding. My daughter ate ravenously. It was worth every penny. I kept a box of it available starting when she was about 8 months old and I went on a business conference. My daughter and husband had a full supply of breast milk. However, the hotel did not have a fridge in the room, so I had to pump and dump my milk supply. So, at least on the last day of my conference trip, my husband had to use the formula. Emily did not have many gas issues or stomach problems with the formula. At first we had to mix it because she would not take it. But it was wonderful knowing that when I had to stop breast feeding that she was still getting something close that was healthy and pesticide free. When I was breast feeding I made sure to be on as much organic food as possible. Especially since the doctors put me on a high fat high carb diet. My daughter took all my fat and loved breast feeding. All in all, it was worth it.
Debra October 11th, 2008 at 5:24 pm 5
Kirsten,

That was a good article but there is some new research that indicates that the reason that formula feeding might cause obesity is to overfeeding and genetic changes. I posted about this on my new blog here:

http://www.beyondprenatals.com/2008/10/making-your-baby-healthy-months-before.html

Debra
rebecca October 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am 6
Thanks for all the comments so far. It’s interesting to hear of the experiences others had. Also, thank you Kirsten and Debra for the links; I’ll get to them soon!
MEG November 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pm 7
My 4 month old has been exclusively breastfed since 4 weeks old, but in the beginning we were supplementing with formula and used Similac Organic. It gave our baby diarrhea. My ped said it was probably because of the unrefined sugar they use. Just our experience.