Parents of babies, help please!!!!

[DebIreland]

I have an 11 month old daughter who is currently on formula... it's a follow-on formula for babies 6 months and up. It's called Farley's follow-on formula. Is that on sale in the US? She'll be 15 months old when we visit WDW in June and by then, she might be on cow's milk, that's the plan but I don't know if it will work out that way and it's possible that I'll still have her on follow-on formula at that time. The problem is a) I don't know if Farley's formula is on sale in the U.S. and/or b) if it is on sale is it called the same thing or is there another name for it? I know that Farley's is part of the Heinz company who are, of course, American. But when I went to Heinz website they did have a link to Farley's but the info there said "most popular formula in the U.K.' suggesting that it's not used in America???

My questions are:
a) Is Farley's formula on sale In the U.S.?
b) If it's not, is there a Heinz formula on sale there. What is it called exactly?
c) If none of the above, what are the most popular U.S. brands of formula. Perhaps there is one that is also on sale here and I could wean her onto that before I go!

Phew!! Quite an awkward dilemma. Any help appreciated! Oh as I'm at it (lol!) I know Pampers nappies (diapers) are American which is great as that's what I use. I'm assuming they're on sale in most grocery stores there. Is that correct? Thanks.

 

[gallaj0]

I've never seen Farley's in the US. I live in New England, and been in Orlando with a baby, so I've shopped there for formula, but never seen it; I think it's just available in the U.K. I don't think Heinz markets ANY formula here in the States.
A good formula for older kids is Similac2 Advance, here's some info in it:

Similac2 Advance

It's widely available in the US; but the site couldn't list anything overseas.

And yes, Pampers are everywhere.

 

[cbrfan]

I live in the Midwest and I've never heard of Farley's, either. But is it available in the UK in powdered form? It seems as though that would be easy enough to pack in sufficient amount. If at all possible, I would avoid a change of formula during the trip. Do you have any formula available that is sold in both the UK and the US that you could start your child on before you leave? That way you could try her out on the formula before you leave to make sure she tolerates it. Similac is popular in my area, too. Although my grandson's pediatrician said once they're past 6 months any formula they tolerate is acceptable.

 

[Wondrmom]

Nope, I have never heard of that either. Similac and Enfamil are probably the two most popular sold here in the US.

 

[DebIreland]

Thanks so much for the info.
cbrfan, yes it's available in powdered format but I'd need 2 cans which would be a big weight gain in the suitcases. Also, I'm worried that customs would rip open the cans. I think I'll look into shipping it over there a few weeks ahead, if the resort allows this. I'll give them a call.

Again, thanks to all of you for the help and info.

 

[iluvallthingsdisney]

I have not heard of Farley's either. You could pack up a baby care package box with formula, nappies, wipes, any extra baby gear and mail it to your hotel. That way it won't be taking up precious room in your suit case. Just call your hotel to confirm that it arrived before you leave for the airport.

 

[MrsBanks]

You mentioned that your child will be 15 months when you visit - I believe doctors usually recommed that children start drinking cows milk at 12 months, unless of course the child is lactose intollerant - anyway you may not have a formula problem after all - good luck, happy travels

 

[seetheworld]

I am from the US and traveled to Australia and New Zealand recently and I am familiar with the brands you mentioned only because they had them in those countries. They do not have them in the US as far as I know. Most likey, customs will not give you any trouble about bringing baby formula in. I brought my own in and on my return had some Heinz Baby formula that I got there and no one even questioned it for a second. I would email the local customs office and ask them - that is what I did. My baby is 15 months & I still use the follow-up formula - I feel like my baby gets more vitamins from it & you may feel the same way at that time too. I think you would be able to bring it in without any problems - baby formual is usually exempt. HTH

 

[the kabuki]

I would think that as long as it's sealed in the original packaging, that customs isn't going to open it up, but you never know. Better to send a package ahead or contact customs directly for their opinion

 

[DissyLove]

I don't think you will be able to find Farley's here (US), but Pampers are everywhere. I would say supplement with something else or bring enough from home to get you buy. I would think you can pack it. I actually packed a can of formula in my suitcase on a recent trip with my little one (not overseas trip, though) and even put enough powdered formula in a few bottles for the plane trip. That way I just had to add water. I did not have any trouble with security.

 

[Beth76]

What makes you say that you might still be using formula at 15 months? Is that a UK thing? I used to work in child care and I've never known anyone to be still using formula much after 12 months. They may start to wean for a few weeks at 12 months, but by 15 months they have all been completely off. I think the best suggestion so far is to ship the formula to your hotel, if you do indeed need it.

 

[BevS97]

My 18 month old is still on formula - she uses Progress (which is SMAs formula), and sometimes she drinks cows milk. Cows milk isn't great for babys, and formula is much more convenient since it doesnt' need refrigeration, so we use both at the moment.
I think she will be moving to only cows milk very soon (when this box of formula runs out)

Saying that - when we went to Orlando when she was a small baby, I couldn't get SMA so gave her Enfamil and it did not agree with her at all - the powdered enfamil did not seem to dissolve very well, and I was not happy with it.
Last trip she was 14 months and only had a bottle at bedtime and first thing in the mroning, so I bought those pre-measured sachets of Progress, they make up a 6oz bottle, and I could easily get 28 sachets in the end pocket of my suitcase and they took up very little room.

Personally, I wouldn't use American formula at this point, either bring the Farleys or move her to cows milk beforehand.

Does Farleys come in the premeasured sachets? They are brilliant for travelling - especially if you need to make a bottle on the plane.

 

[DebIreland]

I would email the local customs office and ask them - that is what I did. My baby is 15 months & I still use the follow-up formula - I feel like my baby gets more vitamins from it.

I would think that as long as it's sealed in the original packaging, that customs isn't going to open it up, but you never know. Better to send a package ahead or contact customs directly for their opinion

That's a great idea about emailing them. I'm going to do that, thanks. And see theworld, yes, I do agree about the vitamins, if I switch her to cow's milk now I would supplement it with vitamins anyway so I feel it's best to keep her on the formula for another 6 months or so.

You mentioned that your child will be 15 months when you visit - I believe doctors usually recommed that children start drinking cows milk at 12 months.

This isn't the baby formula that babies have from birth when not being breastfed, it's a progress formula from 6 months up which is like cow's milk plus added vitamins, for when baby is no longer on infant formula or no longer breastfeeding. Thanks for the feedback

I put enough powdered formula in a few bottles for the plane trip. That way I just had to add water.

Yes, I'm going to do that for the plane, good idea, thanks.

What makes you say that you might still be using formula at 15 months? Is that a UK thing? I used to work in child care and I've never known anyone to be still using formula much after 12 months.

Hi Beth. As I said above, it's not really 'formula' as in new baby formula, it's closer to cow's milk except has added vitamins to aid the huge growth spurts older babies go through. Thanks for the feedback

My 18 month old is still on formula - she uses Progress (which is SMAs formula), and sometimes she drinks cows milk..... I couldn't get SMA so gave her Enfamil and it did not agree with her at all - the powdered enfamil did not seem to dissolve very well, and I was not happy with it. Does Farleys come in the premeasured sachets? They are brilliant for travelling - especially if you need to make

Hi Bev,
Thanks a million for the tip on Enfamil. I'm not going to risk switching her to an unknown brand while we're away. The sachets sound great! Farleys does come in ready-to-go cartons but they are pre-made sealed cartons of formula so naturally, two weeks of those would weight a great deal. However, I'm going to email the company and ask about the sachets. If they don't do sachets, I'll see if the supermarkets here have SMA sachets because I could easily switch her gradually to SMA before we go. I hear SMA and Farley's are very close in content. Actually she would have been on SMA were it not for my local shop here not stocking it so Farley's was recommended as equal in quality (I was afraid I might run out one evening and not be able to get SMA locally). Thanks for the tops. Much appreciated.

 

[buzz for boys]

I am replying to this as I would not advise swapping your baby milk at all. We were faced by a similiar dilemma when we went on holiday with my DS then 13 months old. We too used farleys and I thought I would swap to SMA but this made him quite grouchy and upaet his tummy I did it gradual but it never qite worked !! I took advice from my health visitor who said every milk is different and to avoid an un neccesary change !!
We took one carton per day of the farleys ready made and then gave him full milk in between - He tolerated the whole milk far better than the change in Formula and was very happy to get his normal formula at bed time.
Hope that helps and remember this is just my personal experience of the two milks, but thought I might spare you the week from hell we had !!

 

[BevS97]

I would definitely switch before you go rather tahn while you are out there. My eldest DD used to switch all the time with no ill effects, but DD2 was not happy on Enfamil at all.

Cow and Gate also do the premeasured sachets, so you could try those if they are available.

 

[Tinkerbelle99]

You have received a lot of great advice on the boards and hopefully you will find one that will work for you and your baby.

I just wanted to add that at the baby care centers in the WDW parks, they carry Carnation brand formula to purchase in case you were to run out. They also carry diapers, pacifers, etc. for purchase should you be in a bind.

The gift shop at our resort, Pop Century, carried the ready made Similac cans of formula.

We were in WDW last week, my sister was with us with her 3 month old son. She suppliments with Enfamil formula; it was nice to know that formula could be found onsite if we needed it. We were a little worried as some of her power formula spilled during travel. As it turns out she had brought more than enough with her, do we didnt need to buy onsite. but it was nice to know it was readily available.Even though it was not the same brand my sister currently uses, when you really need it, I am sure these other brands would have worked for us until we could have gotten more Enfamil.

 

[DebIreland]

We took one carton per day of the farleys ready made and then gave him full milk in between - He tolerated the whole milk far better than the change in Formula and was very happy to get his normal formula at bed time.

That's a great idea! Thanks so much

Cow and Gate also do the premeasured sachets, so you could try those if they are available.

Thanks for the info Bev!

I just wanted to add that at the baby care centers in the WDW parks, they carry Carnation brand formula to purchase in case you were to run out. They also carry diapers, pacifers, etc. for purchase should you be in a bind. The gift shop at our resort, Pop Century, carried the ready made Similac cans of formula.

Thanks Tinkerbelle! That is very re-assuring!!

 

[seetheworld]

What makes you say that you might still be using formula at 15 months? Is that a UK thing? I used to work in child care and I've never known anyone to be still using formula much after 12 months. They may start to wean for a few weeks at 12 months, but by 15 months they have all been completely off. I think the best suggestion so far is to ship the formula to your hotel, if you do indeed need it.

It's not just a "UK thing" - it is a US thing too. Follow up formula's like Enfamil Next Step is for older babies 9 to 24 months. It's packed full of vitamins and is made especially for their growing bodies. I know many moms who prefer to use it compared to cow's milk. It's more common than not.

 

[cbrfan]

My grandson's pediatrician told us that if she had her way babies would stay on formula until they were 2 years old!

 

[seetheworld]

My grandson's pediatrician told us that if she had her way babies would stay on formula until they were 2 years old!

I agree! My pediatrician says the same thing. The pediatrician I had before this one aslo said the same thing as well. I have my 15 month old on it and I feel good about my decision. Thank you for your input!