Most of us do not have an unlimited supply of financial resources these days. In fact, many new parents have additional burdens of rising costs of health care, baby supplies and day care in addition to a troubled economy in many parts of the world.
If you are expecting and in the process of budgeting for after your baby arrives, here are some cost comparisons of breastfeeding versus formula feeding to help you find ways to save money.
Cost of Infant Formula By Type Per Day, Month and Year
(Costs below are based on approximately 24 ounces of formula consumption per day.)
Pre-Mixed Ready-to-Feed Formula - Cost Per Day - $6.00, Cost Per Month - $180, Cost Per Year - $2,160
Concentrate in Cans (Mix with Water) - Cost Per Day - $4.60, Cost Per Month - $138, Cost Per Year - $1,600
Powdered in Cans (Mix with Water) - Cost Per Day - $3.75, Cost Per Month - $112, Cost Per Year - $1,350
In addition to the cost for formula, parents will need to purchase at least one set of bottles and possibly other items to make infant feeding easier and safer.
Additional items:
Microwave Sterilizer $40
Set of Bottles $20
Bottle Drying Rack $30
Total Cost of Bottle-feeding Supplies - $90 (Plus Cost of Formula Above)
Cost of Hypoallergenic and Organic Formulas for Babies With Special Needs
If you are savvy parent-consumers, it does not take you long to realize that the cost of formula varies widely. Our list above is by no means an all-inclusive list. In fact, some of the more expensive, hypoallergenic, lactose-free and organic brands of formula can run parents $14 or more for approximately 24 ounces of formula. This translates to about $420 per month or over $5,000 per year. Not to mention, by the time your baby is several months old, he or she will be eating more than 24 ounces of formula a day.
In comparison, look at some of the related costs if you plan to breastfeed. Note that all of these expenses are fixed and do not accumulate for the length of time a mother plans to breastfeed.
Cost of Breastfeeding Supplies
Double Electric Breast Pump - $400
Breastfeeding Pillow - $40
Breast Milk Storage Kit - $30
Breast Cream - $8
Breast Pads (Pair of 2) - $20
Nursing Bra (2) - $50
Breastfeeding Tops (4) - $120
Total Amount of Breastfeeding Supplies - $668
The total costs to breastfeed your baby are less than 50% of the cost to provide the least expensive type of infant formula and supplies necessary to feed your baby.
Cost Savings on Health Care Expenses for Breastfed Baby
Research indicates that you can save additional money by breastfeeding not only in the cost of the actual formula but in the reduced health care costs for your breastfed baby. Parents who have chosen to breastfeed their babies will generally not need to take their infants to the hospital or pediatrician as often as those who feed their infants formula.
Studies have shown that nursing exclusively for 4 months of age resulted in 50% fewer ear infections than babies were fed infant formula. Thus, breastfeeding can save family's money from unnecessary office visits, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
Concerns Raised With Mixing or Dilution of Infant Formula
There have been numerous studies that have shown that high numbers of mothers continue to improperly mix concentrated formula. This can be a tempting way to make the formula last longer to save more money, however it has led to reports of sickness or even death in infants. It is also assumed that the water used for mixing with formula is clean and safe which has been questionable in the past.
The continuing safety concerns with improper or unsafe dilution of formula, combined with the heavy price tag for formula and bottle-feeding costs, make breastfeeding a clear winner to help save in your family's budget.
Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
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