Parents Can Save Money Without Sacrificing Nutrition

Published September 2020

It’s no secret that brand name infant formula comes with a hefty price tag. Whether it’s the exclusive feeding choice or a supplement to breastfeeding, regular purchases can add up over time. For parents who are struggling with rising costs, store brand formula varieties can save up to 50% and offer the same nutrition.¹

We want parents to be comfortable with this money-saving decision – and to understand comparable store brand options. That starts with sharing share some lesser-known facts.

Separate Facts and Fiction

When it comes to feeding a baby, loving parents want to make the best choices. Of course, breastfeeding is the gold standard. When it’s not an option or parents need to supplement, brand name formula is typically the go-to. However, whether for supplementing or personal choice, 75% of babies in the U.S. will use infant formula at some point in the first year. Ensuring parents are aware of all the options can help all families.

It’s common practice for pediatricians to offer formula samples during office visits. While it may feel helpful to give families free samples, that temporary fix could have major cost implications. Research has shown that 69% of families often perceive free samples as an endorsement.²

What parents don’t realize: Store brand formula is comparable to the brand name options. Here are a few other common misperceptions:

• Fiction: Store brands don’t offer the same nutrition.
  Fact: Store brand infant formula meets the same FDA nutritional and quality standards as popular brands like Enfamil^®, Similac^®, and Gerber^®. The only difference is the price.
• Fiction: Switching can cause feeding issues.
  Fact: A research study from the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital showed store brand formula is just as well tolerated as brand name options. In the study, babies who switched to a store brand equivalent didn’t experience an increase in spit-up, burping, gas, crying or irritability.³

Options for Every Baby

Parents also may not be aware that store brand formula is the same from retailer to retailer. Perrigo is the supplier of all store brand formula and partners with most major retailers in the U.S. While the offerings and store brand names vary by retailer, the formulations meet consistent quality standards in each category.

Knowing this can save parents a lot of heartache if they aren’t able to find formula at a given retailer. Especially during terms of financial uncertainty, it’s helpful to know about supply alternatives.

Store brand formula comes in comparable varieties offered by brands such as Enfamil^®, Similac^® and Gerber^®. Perrigo supplies seven different varieties, so parents can easily find the right options, including:

Tools You Can Use

When parents turn to you for advice on which formula to feed their baby, consider discussing store brand options. They can be especially helpful for families who are facing food insecurity. A survey showed that 97% of pediatricians have heard from families that they dilute infant formula to save money and make their formula last longer.⁴ This can be extremely dangerous as babies are not getting the critical nutrients they need at a time of rapid growth. Store brand formula can help parents provide their babies with complete nutrition at an affordable cost.

Use these tools to help parents make informed decisions:

• This comprehensive eBook allows new and expecting parents to learn more about formula and feeding in the first years of life.
• This brand comparison tool helps parents find the store brand equivalents of brand name formula.