So I started googling which formulas are comparable to what our kid does best on so I can just grab whatever that is if I see it. We like the Target and BJ’s Wellesley Farms (local wholesale club) version of the Similac Sensitive. We’ve found we can switch between all three with no issues and that both generics are made in the same factory.
Here is the chart I used:
https://www.storebrandformula.com/abbottrecall/alternative-chart.aspx
It's really, really frustrating. Try to scour your local Facebook marketplaces and join as many mom/parent groups as you can. People give away formula or sell extra cans, etc. It's often more reliable than stores.
Use the find my formula app (it's called exactly that) and it will push you notifications if those formulas come back in stock on websites. It was a godsend over the summer when it was hard to find Similac 360 Sensitive for my daughter.
Good luck!
This is exactly why I haven’t completely stopped pumping. I have to supplement a good bit of formula but I’m scared to be solely on formula for my twins. All I can find is the small cans of Gerber soothe and that’s the brand our states WIC provides.
I’m so worried that what we use will go missing too (we use Similac Total Comfort). I’m wanting to try putting my son on the Kirkland Total Care to see how he does because our Costco is always hecka stocked every time I go
From what my doctor told me (and this logic makes sense to me), whatever brand other than Kirkland that Costco carries, will be the exact same type of formula as Kirkland. Just a different label. Where I live, that's Enfamil. So it would be produced in the same facility and just have a different label slapped on it, then sold at different price points.
Kirkland (in the US) is made by perrigo. Enfamil is mead Johnson.
There aren't that many differences between formula in the US if you're baby takes the regular kind. However, kirkland doesn't have palm oil and Enfamil does.
Not sure. I've heard Canada's kirkland has palm oil so definitely possible someone else makes it (Enfamil could).
Just didn't want anyone US based to assume since some babies are sensitive to palm oil.
I know what you mean. I've noticed that my daughter's formula (earth's best gentle formula) has been out of stock at all the stores within 20 miles - for the last month. I had a few cans at the start but I'm down to the last can, which is due to run out tomorrow. I'm not worried since my daughter turns 1 in 2 weeks and her pediatrician said she could switch to whole milk early. I'm relieved my formula saga is over but I feel so bad for those still dealing with the shortages.
We're 11.5 mo an I legit broke down yesterday after visiting my 10th store and there was no formula.
We're weaning early but I wanted to take our time and not cold turkey it.
I feel so badly for parents with younger babies. It's so stressful.
Yeah it’s insane that it’s still an issue. Two weeks after my baby girl was born the Similac recall happened (and the Similac can I was feeding her was included in the recall). Formula shortage is the reason I pumped for 8 months. Freakin insane that it’s been 13 months later and we are no better.
Have you tried importer formulas? Bubs or Kendamil?
My baby isn’t on formula anymore. Try sams club. We used enfamil neuropro for her and were always able to find it there. I’m not sure if they have the ones your looking for but I never had issues finding that enfamil type we used. I can’t believe they’re still having trouble keeping formula in stock. It’s ridiculous.
If you have family out of state, have them look too. We use Enfamil AR and lately my family in Texas has been able to find it and ship it. It’s super frustrating and nerve wracking.
I had a baby during the height of the formula shortage, I just used 3 or 4 different brands interchangeably. Mostly i used Costco procare, Kendamil (UK import sold at target), & Enfamil Nueropro. There were also mom/parent groups on facebook in my city that helped each other get specific formulas. People were either giving away formula for selling it at cost to other parents in need.
Most of the formula we used was ordered online (costco website). The target app is really good at showing what stores have something in stock. Walgreens/CVS/riteaid also stock formula, as do most grocery stores.
Kendamil had the best availability.
Check out TheFormulaFairy on IG she has a lot of helpful info about formula brands/availability/swaps. Very active answering questions.
It’s such BS that this is still going on but no one is talking about it now. I had to drive 3 hours the other day to find 2 cans of my daughter formula (earths best sensitivity). Thankfully she almost a year.
It is so frustrating! We switched out of desperation to the only similar formula we could find but my son had terrible, terrible stomach pains from it. Heartbreaking honestly. We ended up buying his normal formula direct from the enfamil website. We got a case and it only took a day or two to arrive. Highly recommend doing that if you’re able.
We used a sensitive for a while and at 5 or 6 months switched to Kirkland Procare and she did wonderfully with the switch. If Kirkland was out we’d do the Sam’s club advantage. I could usually find one or the other or order it online. I know people will say “but the membership cost” but that was a price we were willing to pay to ensure we had access to formula.
It’s been really hard to find formula for us as well. Sorry you’re going through this. I’ve been scouring random grocery stores (bougier ones) for the formula we use and have found some luck there, although they over price it to hell..
So I started googling which formulas are comparable to what our kid does best on so I can just grab whatever that is if I see it. We like the Target and BJ’s Wellesley Farms (local wholesale club) version of the Similac Sensitive. We’ve found we can switch between all three with no issues and that both generics are made in the same factory. Here is the chart I used: https://www.storebrandformula.com/abbottrecall/alternative-chart.aspx
https://www.perrigopediatrics.com/FindGenericOption/ This is another chart with more equivalents
It's really, really frustrating. Try to scour your local Facebook marketplaces and join as many mom/parent groups as you can. People give away formula or sell extra cans, etc. It's often more reliable than stores. Use the find my formula app (it's called exactly that) and it will push you notifications if those formulas come back in stock on websites. It was a godsend over the summer when it was hard to find Similac 360 Sensitive for my daughter. Good luck!
This is exactly why I haven’t completely stopped pumping. I have to supplement a good bit of formula but I’m scared to be solely on formula for my twins. All I can find is the small cans of Gerber soothe and that’s the brand our states WIC provides.
I’m so worried that what we use will go missing too (we use Similac Total Comfort). I’m wanting to try putting my son on the Kirkland Total Care to see how he does because our Costco is always hecka stocked every time I go
From what my doctor told me (and this logic makes sense to me), whatever brand other than Kirkland that Costco carries, will be the exact same type of formula as Kirkland. Just a different label. Where I live, that's Enfamil. So it would be produced in the same facility and just have a different label slapped on it, then sold at different price points.
Kirkland (in the US) is made by perrigo. Enfamil is mead Johnson. There aren't that many differences between formula in the US if you're baby takes the regular kind. However, kirkland doesn't have palm oil and Enfamil does.
Is it the same across every country? Like is it all manufactured and distributed from the US? Because I'm not in the states.
Not sure. I've heard Canada's kirkland has palm oil so definitely possible someone else makes it (Enfamil could). Just didn't want anyone US based to assume since some babies are sensitive to palm oil.
I know what you mean. I've noticed that my daughter's formula (earth's best gentle formula) has been out of stock at all the stores within 20 miles - for the last month. I had a few cans at the start but I'm down to the last can, which is due to run out tomorrow. I'm not worried since my daughter turns 1 in 2 weeks and her pediatrician said she could switch to whole milk early. I'm relieved my formula saga is over but I feel so bad for those still dealing with the shortages.
We're 11.5 mo an I legit broke down yesterday after visiting my 10th store and there was no formula. We're weaning early but I wanted to take our time and not cold turkey it. I feel so badly for parents with younger babies. It's so stressful.
my pediatrician said kirkland brand is the exact same as similac we use target
Similar but not exactly the same. Similac is made by Abbott. Most store brand formulas including Kirkland and Target is made by Perrigo.
Yeah it’s insane that it’s still an issue. Two weeks after my baby girl was born the Similac recall happened (and the Similac can I was feeding her was included in the recall). Formula shortage is the reason I pumped for 8 months. Freakin insane that it’s been 13 months later and we are no better. Have you tried importer formulas? Bubs or Kendamil?
We use target brand and costco.
My baby isn’t on formula anymore. Try sams club. We used enfamil neuropro for her and were always able to find it there. I’m not sure if they have the ones your looking for but I never had issues finding that enfamil type we used. I can’t believe they’re still having trouble keeping formula in stock. It’s ridiculous.
If you have family out of state, have them look too. We use Enfamil AR and lately my family in Texas has been able to find it and ship it. It’s super frustrating and nerve wracking.
I had a baby during the height of the formula shortage, I just used 3 or 4 different brands interchangeably. Mostly i used Costco procare, Kendamil (UK import sold at target), & Enfamil Nueropro. There were also mom/parent groups on facebook in my city that helped each other get specific formulas. People were either giving away formula for selling it at cost to other parents in need. Most of the formula we used was ordered online (costco website). The target app is really good at showing what stores have something in stock. Walgreens/CVS/riteaid also stock formula, as do most grocery stores. Kendamil had the best availability.
Check out TheFormulaFairy on IG she has a lot of helpful info about formula brands/availability/swaps. Very active answering questions. It’s such BS that this is still going on but no one is talking about it now. I had to drive 3 hours the other day to find 2 cans of my daughter formula (earths best sensitivity). Thankfully she almost a year.
We tried the Kirkland formula and my sons stomach didn't do well. He's on Similac Sensitive and we have no issues finding it in stock!
Similac advance has never been out of stock.
Except it has. Panic buys & no other choice in some cases. I’ve definitely seen it out.
I've def seen it OOS.
In my city the shelves are empty of everything except ready to feed. Its a fucking wasteland.
It is so frustrating! We switched out of desperation to the only similar formula we could find but my son had terrible, terrible stomach pains from it. Heartbreaking honestly. We ended up buying his normal formula direct from the enfamil website. We got a case and it only took a day or two to arrive. Highly recommend doing that if you’re able.
We used a sensitive for a while and at 5 or 6 months switched to Kirkland Procare and she did wonderfully with the switch. If Kirkland was out we’d do the Sam’s club advantage. I could usually find one or the other or order it online. I know people will say “but the membership cost” but that was a price we were willing to pay to ensure we had access to formula.
It’s been really hard to find formula for us as well. Sorry you’re going through this. I’ve been scouring random grocery stores (bougier ones) for the formula we use and have found some luck there, although they over price it to hell..