Everyone knows that breastfeeding is best for your baby and if everything goes correctly and you don’t need herbs and pumps and gadgets to boost your supply, it is clearly the cheapest way to feed your baby. However, there are numerous instances where breastfeeding simply does not work out: babies are adopted, babies need supplementing, moms can’t breastfeed, and many other instances where formula has to be used to feed Baby. I’m not here to start a battle between breastmilk and formula, but I am here to tell you that IF you need to use formula, there are a lot of ways to save money.
When my first son was born, he needed to be supplemented with formula. I breastfed as much as I could and I did until he was 11 ½ months old. I didn’t know what formula to choose to supplement my supply. I used the free samples from the hospital and when they ran out, I switched to another brand. It turned out that he needed a special formula for babies with milk protein sensitivities and I was excited to get coupons in the mail from the company. But guess what, those coupons started out at $12 off but then went down to $1 off, and then stopped coming all together! There are moms who will trade with you, and if you can do that, great. You can also contact the company and apply for assistance, especially if it’s a higher priced formula and he/she can’t use anything else.
But, let me tell you a little secret. In the US, all infant formulas are subject to the same regulations for manufacture and ingredients required for the growth of healthy babies under the Infant Formula Act. Store brand formulas, or generic brand formulas, sold at major retailers meet the same FDA nutritional requirements as all of the major brands. The quality and safety of the manufacturing of infant formulas are also inspected by the FDA in the same way. To me, that’s a no brainer. Why pay more just for a name brand? Does my baby care what he’s eating? No way! My second son has been on a generic formula since he was only a few months old and he has never had any problems (after we switched him to the sensitivity formula that thankfully, comes in a generic brand!)
There is usually a generic version of baby formula anywhere you shop for baby supplies and/or groceries, so definitely compare costs per ounce! Don’t get sucked in with the coupons big name brand companies send out and don’t think that you’re feeding your baby a formula that is any lower quality than name brand. Save a little of that money for college!
This post was written by….Life with Captain Fussy Buckets. My blog is all about my life with two sons and an awesome husband. I am a stay-at-home mom to Captain Fussybuckets, who is 3, and Baby D, who will turn 1 in December. I love to blog about our family, the stuff we love, great deals I find online, and I also love to host reviews and giveaways of awesome products that I think my readers will love!
Mimzy Wimzy says
I am going to be referring my daughter to read this if she gives me any nonsense when I tell her to buy store brand formula to save money. Baby Soup is due in just over 2 weeks, she’ll need to eat!! Save money on the formula going in so you can afford the diapers to catch it on the way out!! 🙂
Michele says
HI Mimzy, your comment gave me a chuckle. Good luck with the new little grandchild!
Thanks
Michele