Infant formula is given to babies under age 1 as an alternative to breast milk. Many varieties of formula are on the market, including those made by Good Start and Parent's Choice. Both companies make the same claims of providing complete nutrition for infants, but their costs vary.
Claims
Parent's Choice says all its formulas are equal because of Food and Drug Administration regulations.
Good Start says their formulas meet FDA regulations and standards.
Features
Parent's Choice offers a variety of nutritional formulas that are comparable to more expensive formulas. Milk-based baby formula is 60 percent whey protein.
Good Start offers the only milk-based formulas that contain "comfort proteins"--100 percent whey protein.
Varieties
Parent's Choice offers the following varieties: Milk Formula, Soy Formula, Gentle Formula, Organic Formula, Sensitivity Formula, Immune Support Formula,
Added Rice Formula and Stage 2 Formula. Good Start offers the following varieties: Gentle PLUS Formula, Protect PLUS Formula, Nourish PLUS Formula, Soy PLUS Formula, Gentle PLUS 2 Formula, Protect PLUS 2 Formula and Soy PLUS 2 Formula.
Price
Price comparisons as of October 2009:
Parent's Choice 28 oz., milk-based DHA and ARA: $11.88.
Good Start 28 oz. Supreme DHA and ARA: $24.56.
Availability
Parent's Choice is available only at Wal-Mart and Good Start is available in most stores nationwide.
Manufacturers
Parent's Choice is manufactured by PBM Nutritionals while Good Start is manufactured by Nestlé Nutrition.
