[JustCourtney]

There have been several threads in the last couple of months where people have mentioned that they wish they hadn't spent so much on name brand diaper or formula because the generic was the same, but they haven't mentioned what generics were the same! I thought it would be great to have a thread where we could all share our secrets to saving a dime! (or 2)

I would love to try some generics, but my one attempt at a generic diaper was a waste of $8 - we only used one of them! I am scared to switch formulas without some first hand testimonials!

Right now my son is on Isomil + Iron and Huggies fit him great. Anyone have any suggestions?

[belleinblue1978]

Ok, I obviously can't help with diapers or forumula, BUT my fave store brand product is easily WalMarts laundry detergent and fabric softeners. I am a laundry snob, mom won't touch my laundry if I go home (she does my both of my little brother's though, lol and now I don't take laundry home, finally have a washer and dryer in my house), anyway, I was using tide and downy and it was costing me a fortune. I smelled this and decided to give it a try, I use the green ones, Spring Breeze or something, and I LOVE them. There is a new tangerine one I see, I'll have to maybe try that next.

[Beth.]

For disposable diapers, we like the Target brand diapers. They are not quite as soft as Pampers, but close. I actually prefer the Target diapers over Pampers (only two brands that I have tried). I don't remember exactly, but in my price comparion Target diapers are half the price per diaper of Pampers from Wal-Mart. We mainly use cloth, so I haven't ventured out much on diapers.

I also love the Target unscented wipes. They pop-up in the dispenser (the Wal-Mart ones don't). Another thing I like is buying the bix box of refills; you save $$ and cutdown on the packaging waste.

As for formula DD was on Enfamil at the hospital. "Everyone" I talked to said the generics were exactly the same, so silly me I bought the Parent's Choice version of Enfamil at Wal-Mart -- big mistake! Poor DD had like 12 poops in 8 hours ... she didn't stop until we went back on the Enfamil. Most kiddos probably do fine, mine just has a sensitive tummy.

Now, that being said, we are currently using Parent's Choice Soy and love it. I don't think there is anything wrong with the generic formulas, just don't switch cold turkey. I would go with a slow transition by mixing old and new formula together, or something, for a couple of weeks.

Gas drops -- Wal-Mart brand $3.60ish verses Mylicon for $10 something. Wal-Mart brand works just fine.

[aclee]

Parent's Choice (Walmart) makes Organic wipes. Love em... When Ty comes off the Nutramigen we'll also try their organic formula.

I also like the organic product that grocery stores are putting out as their store brand too.

[mommamarci]

Both of my kids have been on the Sam's club brand of baby formula. Works great and saves a fortune! I can feed my babies formula for a month for $50!

Diapers, I tried the Sam's brand and they were a total waste. I use cloth now. Before switching I was loyal to Pampers.

[Lovebug]

DS#2 used the Target brand formula. It was their version of the Enfamil Gentlease. We never had a problem and it really saved alot in the pocketbook!

[chrisandaaron]

I didn't mind the generic diapers for the infant stage, but once they got a little bigger the brand names pampers/huggies were much better. I compared Parent's Choice basic formula to Enfamil and the ingredients were exactly the same. Exact same #s and even in the same order. Tells me that Enfamil probably makes it. I haven't tried it, but I plan to switch when I run out of Enfamil. I also love the Parent's choice bottle liners for platex dropins. They are fantastic and 1/2 the price.

[JustCourtney]

Thank you all and keep them coming!

We use the walgreens generic gas drops. We tried the parent's choice diapers - not good at all.

I have heard good things about Sam's formula. I think we might try it. I have a feeling that little man could do better with a different one, anyway - lots of gas, and either diarrhea or constipates (liquid vs powder of the same brand!). It is sooo frustrating!

I will so try the generics for Tide and Downey! I, too am addicted. What about for baby? Anyone have a good alternative to Dreft?

[qs mom]

I tried all the generic diapers and pull ups a few years ago when I adopted my son. Kmart's are a huge waste of money. Toys R Us were ok, but not great. Walmart wasn't any better. But Targets were awesome. In fact, I was at a local 'fair' kind of thing, a woman asked if I could spare a diaper for her child, she thought they were the best. I actually converted her. Their training pants are great too.

I didn't do formula as my son was a toddler adoption.

But, I can say that I'm not a huge fan of Target's clothes and furniture, but their generics and pricing (in this area, anyway) are great for baby and health care needs.

[slugbug0930]

We used the Costco brand diapers & unscented wipes......they are a bit cheaper than Huggies brand but not much and are the same quality. The Target brand diapers are ok......the WalMart ones aren't so great.

Where we save the most money is on DD's formula.....we buy the generic brand WalMart carries Parent's Choice. We have tried the regular, lactose free and now the soy.....all of them have the same ingredients as the name brands and have been just as good. DD just has a super touchy tummy so we have gone through a lot of formulas

The name brand formula generally is around $27 per can of powdered formula and the generic is about $13.60. So pretty much 2 for the price of 1

Also Target carries a generic version of Dreft.....was only $9 something for the large bottle.

[musemoon]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Mom to Mom brand diapers and wipes. You can get them at Vons and they are 15 dollars for a huge box. They are also cute. My daughter loves her "bee" diaper the best, but the best is they don't leak as much as any other diaper we have tried....I seriously LOVE these diapers!

[Cjmeck]

I love Walmart's brand baby wipes; the unscented ones. They are durable, don't give my dd a rash, and clean her up nicely. I also like Luvs diapers; I agree, the store brands I've tried just failed miserably. I also tried a store brand formula, but since my dd has reflux, we had to switch to another kind. But her ped absolutely recommended a store brand formula and used it for her own kids.

[babycav]

I went to the Walmart or Target Soy formula with no problems-- I also used the gas drops, tylenol and baby motrin from Target--- actually got to make a trip today... I think I'm going to try their diapers- Thanks for the suggestion

[Fran27]

I just switched one of mine from soy to the Target gentle ease formula and so far so good.

For diapers, I've used the Target brand, and I mostly use the BJ's brand, and I haven't had any problems with them. And it's CHEAP. $25 for a box (220ish for size 2, 174 for size 3 etc) - even cheaper than Target. I've heard good things about the CVS brand too.

[finallyamom0310]

Originally Posted by chrisandaaron

I didn't mind the generic diapers for the infant stage, but once they got a little bigger the brand names pampers/huggies were much better.

I was the complete opposite. I found changing a diaper in the dark was difficult in itself, let alone stuggling with the fasteners. I preferred Huggies. Now that DD is sleeping through the night full time, we tried the generic diapers too. I found that some of them fill too fast and she was having pee and poop outs as we call them. So we are spening a little more than generic but less than Huggies and using Luvs brand.