[Prettyboicris]

Is there a particular brand of formula that is supposed to be "better" for preemies and/or drug exposed babies?
For example similac vs. emfamil vs. Good start?

[Kelly Rae]

If a baby needs a special formula the Dr will prescribe one before baby leaves the hospital so that WIC will cover it. Our preemie is on Similac NeoSure it is for conditions such as prematurity. If you get an infant WIC changes what formula they are using all the time, but most of the well know brands are very similar in ingredients. Our 3 yro was on a very expensive formula as he had terrible colic (he was drug/alcohol exposed) again dr prescribed it and WIC then gave us vouchers for it.

[devildogwife]

My son had to be on a very specific RTF hypoallergenic formula. His doctor wrote a script and WIC covered that one specifically. Even though some formulas are similar, it's good to keep in mind that your baby may only tolerate one. BTW, he is MSPI and corn intolerant and has only tolerated RTF alimentum thus far.

Each babies needs are so different too that you can't necessarily say one is better than the other. What works great for one may not work well at all for another.

[athikers]

My preemie was also on RTF... but neosure. There are very specific needs for most preemies, but the other issues that come with prematurity can vary so much I don't think there is "one" formula.

As far as drug exposure... I don't know that that causes a link to a need for a certain formula. My son craves carbs... which is common with crack babies.

[manni28]

Try ProSooBee lipids, it's soy based and very gentle on the system.

[saranbr]

As others have said, the doc will perscribe the formula that he/she recommends for your baby and WIC will cover it if you qualify. For the "average" preemie that is ready for home Enfacare or Neosure would be the choice for the first few months. There are other special needs formulas as needed. The current AAP recommendations don't recommend soy formula unless there is a demonstrated reason (milk protein allergy, for example) as there is growing concern about the over exposure to the soy estergens and their potential for longterm concerns.

[Barksum]

Just as a note of interest, a percentage of people who are allergic/sensitive to dairy are also allergic/sensitive to soy. This has been the case with one of ours who is not tolerant of dairy.

When we had kids who were on special formula (Nutramagin - which is just a new way to spell "expensive") they were on WIC as foster kids, and WIC covered it with the dr's script.

We did notice that at least one of the babies who was on Similac had firm stools so we had to be aware of that and give more water and apple/prune juice to help keep regularity going nicely. I think, overall, I preferred Enfamil for the infants we had who weren't on special formula.