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There are definitely many opinions to breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, but that's a discussion for a parenting site. I want to look at the costs associated with each of the feed options. Each family has to decide what will work best for them. I'd like to share tips on keeping costs down for whichever method you choose. Hopefully parents who have already gone through the process will share their advice and experience.
Breastfeeding Costs
A huge advantage of breastfeeding your child from a financial standpoint is that the food is relatively free (moms have to feed themselves well).
Breastfeeding Supplies
While breastfeeding is the cheapest option, it doesn't always means it's free. Depending on what you choose, there are some additional expenses you can have.
- Breastpump – $65-$275
- Boppy Pillow – $35
- Nursing Bras – $15 – $30
- Nursing Pads – $10 (60pk)
- Nipple ointment – $10
- Nursing Bottles (set) – $30 -$45
- Disposable bottle liners (100)-$10
As you can see, there is a lot of wiggle room with breastfeeding supplies. Not every mom wants to or needs to buy a breast pump. Some moms just exclusively breastfeed while others use bottles with expressed milk. You have to look at your lifestyle and see what is practical for your family.
How many of you just breastfeed and how many of you use a breast-pump to help with feeding? Which breast-pump do you use? We're still debating which one to get. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Formula Costs
There are 3 types of baby formula that you can choose from:
- Ready-to-use formula
- Liquid concentrate formula
- Powdered formula
Each of these have their own benefits. From what I've read and seen, powered formula is the most popular and cheapest option.
Formula Supplies
Here are some supplies associated with formula feeding.
- Baby Formula Supply -$25-$40/can
- Bottles (set) – $30-$45
- Disposable bottle liners (100 ct) – $10
The biggest expense with formula feeding is the recurring expense of the formula. Using sites like Baby Cheapskate and Amazon Mom can be helpful in keeping costs manageable.
Of course, the big debate with formula feeding is which formula to use. Brand name versus store brands can have a huge difference in price. As with diapers, one way you can save is to go ahead and sign up with the formula companies to occasionally receive discounts ( Enfamil,Similac,and Nestle). Don't be afraid to ask your pediatrician for samples. You can see what works best for your family.
Should you avoid store brands or are name brands a rip off? I checked online with the Mayo Clinic to get some answers:
All infant formulas sold in the United States must meet the nutrient standards set by the FDA. Although manufacturers may vary in their formula recipes, the FDA requires that all formulas contain the minimum recommended amount — and no more than the maximum amount — of nutrients that infants need.
Parents also have to weigh the benefits of the different bottles that are out there. What brands do you use for your baby?
Thoughts on Breastfeeding Versus Formula
I'm definitely calling on all you parenting experts 🙂 What feeding route did you decide to take with your family? What were some of the benefits and difficulties that you've faced with feeding? How did you overcome them? What sites did you use to get the best deals on your feeding supplies?
Join In the Baby Expenses Series
Are you a parent or a parent to be with some helpful advice or stories? Please go ahead and join in on the Baby Expense Series, there are 4 ways you can be a part of it:
- Leave your tips in the comment section. I love reviewing thoughtful comments from readers. Some topics have several ‘right’ answers and I think sharing different view points can be helpful.
- Submit your stories for future posts. As you know, baby and expenses can cover a variety of topics. If you have a short story or some tips you want to share, please submit them. If you’re a blogger, please share your site’s address with the email so I can credit you if you want.
- Write a blog post about your experience. Please include a link in your bio for your site and if you have a relevant post on your site, please link to it in your post.
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Photo Credit: pfly