toddler formula questions

[OnErth&InHvn]

DD is 2, she is on Toddler Formula due to health issues, well to maintain her at good health really- We got the cheapest toddler formula and I saw at the store they have flavored Toddler formula: https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3711368

has anyone tried this? She wont drink the formula straight, we have to add flavoring to it and I just thought if we got the can with it already in it, maybe we could save a few dollars....but if it taste bad then we wont waste our money on it.

** I read the reviews and it says its high in sugar...anyone have experience with this?

 

[mommy2baby2]

So this is our experience, both of my girls still drink formula regularly, they are 5 and 3. No it's not out of a bottle...well the 3 year old does sometimes but anyway...

My older daughter said she likes the Chocolate toddler formula cold instead of hot (like chocolate milk). She said it tastes good but she prefers the taste of regular unflavored formula. My 3 year old "likes" the flavored formulas but won't go out of her way to ask for them. She too, prefers regular formula. Neither of them cared for the vanilla version. I've tried both as well, the vanilla tastes weird but the chocolate one is like Ovaltine or a chocolate vitamin shake.

Both girls do enjoy drinking Pediasures (as well as the off brands...same thing as the adult version Ensure). Basically a flavored vitamin drink that tastes best cold.

I'm sure any of the flavored formulas (just like Stage 2 formulas) have more sugar in them. It's to help the child adjust to the taste considering by the time they are drinking them, most children have vast tastebuds and don't care for bland drinks...unlike my girls though, they like the bland stuff! But if you think of the overall benefits, a little extra sugar is okay. All the vitamins & nutrients by far outweigh a teaspoon or 2 of sugar...and in reality it's not much sugar as in juice boxes, popcicles or other 'treats'.

We will formula feed for as long as our kids will take it. The health benefits are amazing. All the vitamins & nutrients are worth the extra $20 a week per can. And really, formula is no different than an adult vitamin shake/drink, just less vitamins and geared toward tiny, growing bodies. Plus, it's far more healthy than cow's milk which offers the same amount of protein & D vitamins (if not less) than what is found in formula...and considering that cows milk is hard for even an adult stomach to digest (hence all the allergies, stomach & digestion problems out there) we prefer our girls to drink formula. They still eat dairy products but when it comes to drink of choice they prefer water, juice or formula (but they will drink cows milk but don't go out of their way to ask for it).

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. If she doesn't care for the flavored formulas, try Pediasures or just keep her on her regular Stage 2 (or stage 1) formula.

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

When DD was sick they had her on pediasure. I really dont want to go that route again because of our experience. I really didnt even want it then, but i had to make sure she got healthy and thats the only way she could. It filled her up way too much and she started to prefer Pediasure rather than food, which is not good. Thats why we went with the formula, its lighter, actually has more calories than Pediasure (when used with milk that is) and still gets the vits and stuff.

TBH- i went with toddler form instead of infant just because I thought for some reason it was geared more towards toddler needs than infant needs, but maybe not? I mean I can get a can for around $2 (liquid not powder) at Walmart and it would last about a week, so id maybe pay around $10 for a month of liquid infant RATHER than $20+ for a can of powder toddler. She only gets 1-4oz bottle/sippy a day. Its just a supplement not a replacement. My can says for 5oz she gets 100cals so thats why we did 1-4oz bottle a day.

I know im over thinking this, lol.

 

[mommy2baby2]

From what I've been told, the baby & toddler (stage 2) formulas are basically the same, but Stage 2's have more sugar/flavor/something that makes it taste better for the toddler. Don't know if this is true or not. When I ask my 5 year old she said she likes them both and doesn't notice a taste difference.

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

well Update!

I went to the store- it was $5 for can of ready to feed infant forum and $19 for 25oz can powder OR $19 for 28oz Toddler Forum. SO i went with the Vanilla Toddler Form. Shell drink it, but i think she needs to get use to it.

toddler formula: 100cal/5oz
Vit D milk: 120cal
Milk favoring: 110cal/8oz
-------------
330cal/5-8oz

Vanilla Flavored Formula: 170cal/6oz
Vit D Milk: 120cal
--------------
290cal/6oz

Calorie wise, shes losing 40cals. Which may not seem like a lot but it is. Unless I can find Whole Milk some place, thats the only way i could get the extra 40 back. Actually 150cals/8oz!!! That would be missing 10cals, much better if you ask me!