[asoulunbound]

so I'm a ebf'er and was wondering what is the going rate for formula? trying to explain savings as only one of the reasons for ebf'ing, but thought it would be cool to have an exact amount. i keep forgetting to look at prices when i'm out (can you get formula at target or just grocery stores...? to be honest I don't even know where to buy formula!). not trying to stir up ff vs bf or anything, just curious about the numbers. thanks.

 

[maylea_moon]

my DS was formula fed and it cost me about 150 bucks a month. but this was also over 4 yrs ago. DD has been nursing since birth (she's 20 months) and i have no idea the costs of formula now. i would guess around 20 bucks a can?

 

[soccermama]

It really depends on the brand. I would say anywhere from $12 to $30 per can. We had to FF DS when he was a baby - we encountered bf'ing challenges - and I believe we spent close to $50 - $60 per month on formula.

 

[maylea_moon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccermama It really depends on the brand. I would say anywhere from $12 to $30 per can. We had to FF DS when he was a baby - we encountered bf'ing challenges - and I believe we spent close to $50 - $60 per month on formula.

also keep in mind that a lot of babies have to go through a lot of different formulas before they find the "right" one. my DS had to be on lacto-free and it cost significantly more than the regular old run of the mill formula. when i worked in daycare we had a kid that had to be on some sort of sensitive tummy formula (long name starting with an a?) i remember his parents telling us how ridiculously expensive it was compared to the others and how they wished they would have just BF.

 

[claddaghmom]

Some people buy on ebay/coupon clip and can get by for $50 a month or less.

Others go all out and I've heard $150 a WEEK.

If promoting EBF, remember that formula feeding comes with additional expenses of filtered water, bottles, nips, cleaners, storage, etc.

 

[liberal_chick]

My grandmother keeps my cousin's baby and I think she spends about $26/week. That's for 2 cans of Similac, I believe.

 

[asoulunbound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by claddaghmom remember that formula feeding comes with additional expenses of filtered water, bottles, nips, cleaners, storage, etc.

great point, thanks.

 

[RunnerDuck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by claddaghmom If promoting EBF, remember that formula feeding comes with additional expenses of filtered water, bottles, nips, cleaners, storage, etc.

Ha... unless you're living somewhere very remote you don't need fliltered water, tap water is fine. Bottles aren't expensive unless you want them to be. Evenflo classics are $3-5 for a 3 pack depending on if you want glass or plastic. Storage is nothing - can sits on the counter. Cleaners? Most people have to buy dish soap already.

We combo fed my girls. I can't exactly say what we spent per week. We used the Costco formula which is About $10-11 a can and maybe used a can a week? Can and a half? So I don't know, $40-60 a month?

The name brand formula will run you about $25 a can.

 

[MommyofHero]

It's about 50-100$ a month.

I am going through awful time telling myself not to feel guilty for my milk drying up. Some people try really hard to breastfeed and are unsuccessful, and I am one of them. Just remember that some people have no other choice but to spend a ton money on formula.

 

[moondiapers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by liberal_chick My grandmother keeps my cousin's baby and I think she spends about $26/week. That's for 2 cans of Similac, I believe.

that's for ONE can of similac

 

[moondiapers]

I super large can of formula lasts about a week for one baby in my daycare....this is for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It'd be about 2 cans a week for 24-7 care..........so the store brand would be close to $200 a month.

My dd was on Alimentum 13 years ago....it was $200 a month back then to feed her. It would be twice that now.

 

[tinyblackdot]

DD was on Neocate and it cost us about $450 a month and she only drank 3 oz a feeding.

 

[marrymeflyfree]

We're supplementing because I'm losing my milk due to pregnancy...Similac runs $22-26 depending on where you buy it, and that makes ~162oz.

 

[thepeach80]

We had Neocate till for my last 2 till they were 2 (100% formula from 1-2). It was $37/CAN and at his highest, Evan went through about 15 cans a month. What is that, about $500/mos!!!! Thank goodness for WIC. I'm dairy, soy, egg, and wheat free now and thankfully able to ebf this time or we'd be back on that again.

 

[bandgeek]

DD is on nutramigen and it's $27 a can. She needs about 2/3 the cals that a typical kid needs.and she goes through 6 cans a month. So almost $250 a month for 9 cans. We get wic thankfully. If we didn't that would be $162 a month out of pocket.

 

[Unconventional1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandgeek DD is on nutramigen and it's $27 a can. She needs about 2/3 the cals that a typical kid needs.and she goes through 6 cans a month. So almost $250 a month for 9 cans. We get wic thankfully. If we didn't that would be $162 a month out of pocket.

Gotta love the price markup for WIC huh?! That way the formula makers can get double the money from taxpayers for formula that costs between 2-10 cents per ounce to make!

ETA: I am not trying to say anything about mommas using WIC to buy the formula, just so annoying that the manufacturers are ALLLOWED by our govt. to pull this just makes me so mad!

 

[claddaghmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunnerDuck Ha... unless you're living somewhere very remote you don't need fliltered water, tap water is fine. Bottles aren't expensive unless you want them to be. Evenflo classics are $3-5 for a 3 pack depending on if you want glass or plastic. Storage is nothing - can sits on the counter. Cleaners? Most people have to buy dish soap already. We combo fed my girls. I can't exactly say what we spent per week. We used the Costco formula which is About $10-11 a can and maybe used a can a week? Can and a half? So I don't know, $40-60 a month? The name brand formula will run you about $25 a can.

Sorry I was just thinking of my own supplies. I have the interchangeable bpa-free bottles to go w/ my hand pump and the nipples w/ slow flow. I guess I shouldn't factor in water costs as we distill water already.

I suppose if one can make a choice on what type of formula to buy, the same goes for the supplies too duh.

 

[RoadWorkAhead]

Actually, WIC doesn't get stuck with huge mark-ups, they pay shelf price. It's Medicaid (and thereby taxpayers) that gets stuck with paying 60.01$ per can for DD's formula when its 33$ a can from the manufacturer. In fact, for some special medical formulas, WIC gets them at manufacturer's price without a store mark-up since they are a direct distribution item.

And FTR, DD's formula costs 33$ (minimum) for a can that makes 64 ounces of 30 cal (toddler strength) or 96 ounces of 20 cal/oz. - So 2-3 days supply for an infant at the higher ends of intake. And we do some RO water, some tap (To prevent excessive flouride consumption) and probably spend 10$ a month on water.

 

[tinyblackdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kierdan'sMom Actually, WIC doesn't get stuck with huge mark-ups, they pay shelf price. It's Medicaid (and thereby taxpayers) that gets stuck with paying 60.01$ per can for DD's formula when its 33$ a can from the manufacturer. In fact, for some special medical formulas, WIC gets them at manufacturer's price without a store mark-up since they are a direct distribution item. And FTR, DD's formula costs 33$ (minimum) for a can that makes 64 ounces of 30 cal (toddler strength) or 96 ounces of 20 cal/oz. - So 2-3 days supply for an infant at the higher ends of intake. And we do some RO water, some tap (To prevent excessive flouride consumption) and probably spend 10$ a month on water.

How did you get Medicaid to cover your DDs formula?

 

[moondiapers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyblackdot How did you get Medicaid to cover your DDs formula?

I'm assuming because her dd is tube fed, so it's medical food.