Beyond the Breastfeeding versus Formula Debate

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of storebrandformula.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

As you know, we are a combo feeding family. I originally planned to exclusively breastfeed and then pump when I went back to work. Due to a number of issues, this did not work for us and I started exclusively pumping and supplementing with formula. Now W is completely formula fed (although there were a few weeks when we had some breast milk to supplement with again but that is a story for another time). I have read numerous articles debating breast milk versus formula and I know all about the benefits of breastfeeding. Trust me, if I could exclusively breastfeed, I would be doing it right now!

I've also read a number of articles and threads on message boards regarding the differences between name brand baby formulas and store brand formulas. Of course, I've read opinions from people on both sides of the issue. Some argue that all formulas are held to the same standards so store brand is just as safe as name brand. Others are prepared to fight to the death and stand by the belief that name brands are better and safer for baby.

Either way, I found it interesting that store brand formulas won a major victory when a U.S. Circuit Court upheld a $13.5 million false advertising claim against Enfamil maker Mead Johnson. The case centered on the successful argument that Enfamil's advertisements of superiority to store brand formulas were false and misleading because store brand formulas offer the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil. more information can be found in Business Week and you can also read more about the debate at storebrandformula.com.

It's an interesting debate and I will admit that I currently use a name brand formula, but not because I believe it is superior to store brand formulas. We use it because we got the most coupons for it and when we tried it with W, it worked well for him! Without the coupons, I would definitely have been willing to try a store brand to save a few dollars as long as it worked for W. W is the most important person in the feeding equation, of course!