How much do you pay for formula?

Question

Right now I am trying to figure out if I am going to breast feed or formula feed. I will have to return to work 6 weeks after my baby is born and I'm not sure how breast feeding would work in that situation.

If anyone has any experience with breast feeding and working let me know!

But on average how much per week/month do you spend on formula?

Answer 1

I never gave formula.  Breastfeeding and working can be done.  I worked after my oldest daughter was born from 12 weeks until she was 17 months.  I was pumping the whole time.  I found a used pump on ebay.  Breastfeeding is so much more economical.

On the side I think its a travesty that women in this country have no paid leave whatsoever.  We're the only industrialized nation that doesn't guarantee any form of paid leave for its mothers.  I'm sorry that you only get six weeks of time off with your baby.

Answer 2

I was breast feeding for the first couple months but my milk dried up because I was really stressed out from the high demands from families that came here from out of town that requested to see the baby 24/7.  They forget that we were new parents and need privacy and rest sometimes,  Anywho, we pay about $100 on formula a month on Enfamil A+.  You should try pumping before you go to work.  Pump as much as you can for extra milk for when you are working.  Breast milk is the best for your baby and I wish I can go back and breast feed.  

Answer 3

When my son was younger, he was on Similac Sensitive - $27.99 a can, which would last around a week.

Now we've transitioned to Simliac go and grow (he's 9 months) and that's 18.99 a can and it lasts a week.

I started out with breastfeeding my son and then once I went back to work, I incorporated formula during the day and breastfed in the mornings and evenings, which lasted until he was about 4 months old.  You should look into getting a good pump and seeing if you could pump instead of formula.  I really wished it would have worked out for me like that because man, formula is expensive! :)

Answer 4

I live in GA, I'm breast and bottle feeding. I use Similac in powder a 12.9oz cost me around 13 dollars.

Answer 5

I'm fortunate in my state (Florida) to have the government program WIC (Women Infants & Children) and to be eligible for it.  I didn't have to pay for formula.  However, the cans' pricing of what my daughter drank were between $20-$22 per canister, and she went through up to three cans a week at one point before we started on solids.  It would have been horribly steep if not for WIC.  See if your state (assuming that you live in the U.S., that is) offers a program like that.  Good luck.  It can get very costly very quickly.  Diapers are bad enough as it is.

Answer 6

It all depends on where you live, what kind of formula you get and the form it comes in.

I live in Ontario, Canada and we used Nestle Good Start. A large canister cost $21.97, a case of concentrate, which is what we got since our daughter couldn't take the powder, was $32.99 without the Omega-3 and 6, and with it was $42.99, and the ready-to-feed little bottles were $18.99 for 6 bottles.

Answer 7

At first we spent every 2 weeks 25-30 dollars on Enfamil Lipil. Then we discovered COSTCO!! lol. We buy the Kirkland Formula which has the same or more vitamins then Enfamil. That costs 19.79 for 2 CANS!!! and that lasts us for 2 weeks now ( 6 month old) It can be really costly, let me tell you! it wont hurt to atleast try the breastfeeding and pumping. Im not an expert on that, but im sure you will get ALOT of info from the breastfeeding moms on here.

Good Luck & Congrats!!!

Answer 8

it is 25.99 for my can of similac advance - i usually get a $5 dollar off coupon  from family or myself...go on their webpage and join.  the can will last me (now at 6-7 months) about a week. In the beginning that would have lasted more like a week and half or 2, but i did try to breastfeed, but it was usually just a part time thing....I went to work 6 weeks after I had my son....I lived close enough that I would parttime breastfeed in am, than run at lunch, and when i got home 2 times....around 3 months I realllly produced even less, and after feeding  I would immediately give him a bottle of about 3/4 what he would have w/ out feeding at all. good luck..I SUGGEST DEFINITELY trying to breastfeed, even if just while you are at home.

my sis in law, still works full time, baby is 6 months, and she pumps in her car 3 times a day.  it can be done!

LOL....edittt...who thumbs downed me.....get a life., nothing wrong w/ my commentary.

Answer 9

Well that depends on the size can of formula you buy and where you guy it from and which brand.

Your best bet is to go to a Sam's Club or Costco (I prefer Costco) and buy the generic formula. The big cans of Costco's brand of formula cost $19 and they will generally last a week and a half to 2 weeks depending on the amount your baby drinks. Whereas if you go to target or wal-mart and buy enfamil or similac in the smaller sizes they are around $22 for a smaller can and they don't last as long. For me the generic brands are just as good as the name brands. They have the same nutrients in them but cost less. If you can't go to costco or sam's club, then buy the target or wal-mart generic brand. They cost between $12-$14 for the smaller canisters (same size as the $20 enfamil/similac) and they last a week or so.

As for nursing and returning to work. I nursed my son after I returned to work (6 weeks after he was born) I would just take breaks here and there and pump breast milk and store it in the freezer at my work. And on my actual break was the time he nursed so I would go to daycare and nurse him. The at home at night I would exclusively nurse him.

I plan on doing the same with my daughter especially since she was preemie and it's best for her. If you get in a good groove of nursing, pumping etc it's not so bad. Good luck and I hope it works out for you!

Answer 10

On average, I was paying about $45/week on formula.  

Answer 11

When your child is a newborn and 2 month old he/she will only need 1 25oz. powder can a week. That's if you choose to use powder anyway.

During the 3rd month your child will start drinking more so by that time you'll have to by probaby have to start buying 2 cans of 24oz. cans because 1 can will only last you about 3.5 or 4 days.

The older the child gets the more formula your going to have to purchase.

My daughter just turned 3 months and so far I spend $52.00 on formula per week. She has gas issues so I feed her Enfamil's Gentlease and it works great.

I believe Gentlease is a few dollars more than your regular Enfamil Lipil.

Anyway, good luck to ya!