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Old 02/22/09, 1:16pm   #1
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Default Are Name Brand Baby Items Better than Generic or Store Brand?

I have noticed that there is a big difference in price between name brand baby products (diapers, baby food etc.) and generic items. Is there a corresponding difference in quality or are the generic items just as good? I sure don't want to pay extra just for the name!
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Old 02/23/09, 12:35pm   #2
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Default Re:Are Name Brand Baby Items Better than Generic or Store Brand?

I don’t blame you a bit! I found that the name brand vs. generic debate was an item-by-item determination. Some generics are better than others. And your personal taste can factor in. I have friends that swear by the Costco store brand diapers but I could never get on board. It’s Huggies for us. Wipes, on the other hand, didn’t matter as much. Store brand was fine by me!

For baby food, I’d only caution you to do a nutrition label comparison. Most name brand baby foods anymore have no artificial additives. You’ll want to avoid those additives as well as any unnecessary sodium. Also do a label comparison on store brand baby formula, if you’re considering it. While all formula sold in the U.S. must meet certain FDA requirements, their ingredients are slightly different. Just be sure to make your decision on price AND nutrition, not just price.
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Old 05/19/09, 11:19pm   #3
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Default Re: Are Name Brand Baby Items Better than Generic or Store Brand?

I know, based on first hand basis, that brand seems to matter when it comes to diapers and formula. Those are the two I can really tell you about. The cheaper, store brand formula foams more when shaken in a bottle. It gave my daughter more gas and she burped a lot more. Enfamil compared to HEB brand was much better for mixing and for digesting. And DIAPERS....I am loyal to Huggies all the way. I tried several different brands but I won't use anything but Huggies anymore. Wipes are pretty generic, and like the others said, check food for specific things.
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Old 05/20/09, 5:24pm   #4
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Default Re: Are Name Brand Baby Items Better than Generic or Store Brand?

I don't tend to buy anything brand name. Seems to me it's all full of junk. For instance, Tide is full of chemicals and Huggies has chlorine in it, which is toxic. I am all for using the most basic natural cleaners and cloth diapers. The back of any store bought baby lotion seems to read like a science book. I started looking for the simplest ingredients. California Baby, Earth's Best, and Avalon Organics are not bad. I switched Dreft (full of perfume and dye) to Charlie's Soap and have loved the results. I also use organic coconut oil for moisturizing skin and I make my own baby food. I used to swear by brand name stuff but when I found out I was putting a list of chemicals on my baby I started looking at this website when buying things and it has helped me make brand choices:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/bro...incat=babycare

Hope that helps!
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Old 05/20/09, 9:12pm   #5
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Default Re: Are Name Brand Baby Items Better than Generic or Store Brand?

I switched Dreft (full of perfume and dye) to Charlie's Soap and have loved the results.

What were the results? Like, how could you tell the difference?
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Old 05/21/09, 12:31am   #6
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Default Re: Are Name Brand Baby Items Better than Generic or Store Brand?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alossa View Post
I switched Dreft (full of perfume and dye) to Charlie's Soap and have loved the results.

What were the results? Like, how could you tell the difference?
First of all, the clothes are soft without any fabric softner. They just feel cleaner because the fabric moves more freely after you lift it out of the washer. They don't smell perfume-y but you can spritz the clothing with essential oils mixed in water if you like them to smell good. The fabrics tend to fare better without all the extra chemicals as well. They are not fading as quickly.

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Old 06/12/09, 12:24pm   #7
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Default Re: Are Name Brand Baby Items Better than Generic or Store Brand?

I liked the Target brand formula and the Target brand diapers for both of my kids-- didn't see a difference as far as quality to be honest--but that is just my experience. I know that my neice didn't do well with the Target diapers, she soaked through them daily. :/ I guess it just depends on the baby!

As for clothes, shoes, etc--hand made is the best! lol
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