For parents who decide to formula feed their infants, the choice of formula can be daunting, with the vast array of formula choices on the market. In addition to familiar formula brands such as Similac, many discount stores including Walmart are offering their own brands, such as Walmart's Parent's Choice formula, at a lower price point. Before making their final decision, most parents wonder if price is the only difference between the discount and name-brand formulas or if there are other factors to consider.
Price Comparison
Price is foremost on every parent's mind, given all the expenses involved with raising a child. One of the biggest differences between Similac and Parent's Choice Baby Formula is price. As noted on the Parent's Choice website, a can of Similac costs more than twice that of a can of Parent's Choice Formula in 2008, at $24.97 compared with $11.88. The savings for a family opting to feed their infant Parent's Choice will be approximately $680 over the course of a year.
Nutritional Content
The nutritional content of Similar and Parent's Choice Formula is virtually identical in terms of calories per bottle and all nutritional components, including DHA and AHA, all vitamins and minerals, and iron. Some of the vitamin and mineral levels do vary slightly between the brands but are not nutritionally significant and are so close to each other as to be considered identical. There is no nutritional edge in choosing one formula over the other.
Types of Formula Offered
Both Similar and Parent's Choice offer a premium-type formula, a milk-based formula, a soy-based formula, a sensitive tummy formula, an added rice cereal formula, an organic formula and a stage 2 formula for older infants. The only types offered by Similac but not Parent's Choice Formula are some special situation formulas, such as a formula for premature infants and an elemental formula for babies with gastrointestinal issues.
Comparison to Breast Milk
No formula is going to be exactly like breast milk, but both Similac and Parent's Choice Formula do come as close as possible by adding some of the key health-promoting elements found in breast milk: prebiotics, nucleotides and carotinoids. Prebiotics help keep healthy bacteria in a baby's gastrointestinal system. Nucleotides are the building blocks of immune proteins and are thought to help a baby produce antibodies. Carotinoids, namely beta carotene, help keep a baby's skin and eyes healthy.
Differences
Similac offers more variety in types of formula options: powder, ready to feed and concentrated liquid. As of January 2010, Parent's Choice Formula only comes in powder and concentrated liquid. For families who prefer the grab and go convenience of formula, Parent's Choice Formula currently doesn't offer this option, but that is easily remedied by mixing a large pitcher of either the powder or the concentrated liquid.
