Formula Pricing?

MamatoJackson

It is my plan to breast-feed but to err on the side of caution (and because I've heard formula can be really expensive), I've added a column into my budget for formula, just in case.

I've got $150 per month allotted but that was a total guess on my part... anywhere near accurate?

 

Thank you! 

JenJar

I breastfed, but we did the same thing and think we had the same amount allotted just in case.  We also kept any samples we got in the mail and at 9 months when the pedi recommended we start mixing his cereal with formula instead of breastmilk, we had samples to use.  Sam's Club is where we found the best prices.

august282005

It depends on where you buy your formula from, name brand v. generic, how much your DC eats, whether you require a gentler formula or "regular", etc. 

 At the height of his formula consumption, DS was going through a mega-sized container of enfamil from BJs every 5-6 days. Without a coupon they cost ~$34 each, so we were shelling out $200+ each month.

MamatoJackson

Thank you!

MainelyFoolish

It depends on whether you buy generic or name brand and also if you need any special formulas.

We had DD on regular Similac and she would go through a $25 container about every 5 to 6 days.  So we were spending $125 to $150 a month on formula. 

If we had been able to get her to take generic formula (it's nutritionally fine but my DD wouldn't drink it because she was used to Similac) it would have been $15 a container, or about $75 to $90 per month. 

If she had needed a special formula like Nutramigen, I think that would have been around 50% more than the regular name brand formula, so easily $200+ per month.

MamatoJackson

MainelyFoolish:

It depends on whether you buy generic or name brand and also if you need any special formulas.

We had DD on regular Similac and she would go through a $25 container about every 5 to 6 days.  So we were spending $125 to $150 a month on formula. 

If we had been able to get her to take generic formula (it's nutritionally fine but my DD wouldn't drink it because she was used to Similac) it would have been $15 a container, or about $75 to $90 per month. 

If she had needed a special formula like Nutramigen, I think that would have been around 50% more than the regular name brand formula, so easily $200+ per month.

Random, but... I LOVE the new picture of your DD!  I've no clue what she was doing but she was lookin' adorable while she was doing it! 

MainelyFoolish

MamatoJackson:

Random, but... I LOVE the new picture of your DD!  I've no clue what she was doing but she was lookin' adorable while she was doing it! 

DD kept stealing my sunglasses so DH found a cheap pair of safety glasses and gave them to her so she'd have her own glasses to wear.  She loves those silly things!  It's too funny to watch her walking around the house and playing while wearing safety glasses.

MamatoJackson

MainelyFoolish:

MamatoJackson:

Random, but... I LOVE the new picture of your DD!  I've no clue what she was doing but she was lookin' adorable while she was doing it! 

DD kept stealing my sunglasses so DH found a cheap pair of safety glasses and gave them to her so she'd have her own glasses to wear.  She loves those silly things!  It's too funny to watch her walking around the house and playing while wearing safety glasses.

lol

I love it!! 

jnksmom

As pp have said it depends on the brand name and what kind your DS will have to take. The pedi recommended alimentum for DD for the first 4 months because she has colic so bad and it was $28 for a small can that last 3 days so we were spending $200-250 a month. When she was 4 months old they switched her to Similac Sensitive and it was $27 for a big can that last 5-6 days so we spent $100-150 a month.

meyemn28

That seems really high to me.  I only Bf'd for the first two months and since then DD has been on Similac Advance.  Up until she started solids she was eating about a can of powder a week.  They retail for $23, but I combine coupons with sales so almost always get them for less.  In the beginning Similac sent me tons of $5 checks, plus my pedi gave me tons of $2 coupons I could stack with them.  Target also sometimes has $2 store coupons you can TRIPLE stack!  At best, I paid $10/can (so per week).  Now Similac never sends me checks anymore, so I'm happy if I can pay $17 or less per can using sales, Target coupons, and coupons from the pedi.  DD is eating less formula though, now that she is on solids. 

Since you are a savy couponer, I would think you could be pretty safe budgeting $100/month at an absolute maximum. 

I also recommend trying to get him on Good Start if you can since it seems like they send the most and best coupons.  Similac is a close second (but they send you samples!).  Enfamil is a total coupon/sample rip off

sdank03

I would budget for more. I planned on breast feeding but my son was a premie and we had major problems. We were on regular Similac at first but it turns out he has a milk/protein allergy. The formula we are on is $27 a can and he goes through at least 11 cans a month. We are spending around $300 a month on formula....  I would sign up for all the coupons as well. If you sign up and it usually takes about a month to get them. 

darlawoods

we use goodstart and between coupons and formula checks through mail or trade we havent spent a penny on formula in a while. Our lo goes through 2-3 cans a month at about $24 a can.

We also used Ebay a few times as well

Good luck 

Stacyc625

I would budget more- especially for the months as they get older- months 4-9: Gisele was taking around 60oz of milk a day. (I EP'ed so i knew how much she was drinking) if that would have been formula I would have been paying around 225.00/month

meyemn28

Stacyc625:

I would budget more- especially for the months as they get older- months 4-9: Gisele was taking around 60oz of milk a day. (I EP'ed so i knew how much she was drinking) if that would have been formula I would have been paying around 225.00/month

Wow!  I guess this just shows how different every baby is.  Maddie only has 20-22 ounces per day!  The most she has ever had during a big growth spurt was 30.

Kim, maybe the best thing to do is keep that part of the budget very flexible until he is here and you can see how BFing is going, if he has any allergies, and how much of an eater he is.

Stacyc625

meyemn28:

Stacyc625:

I would budget more- especially for the months as they get older- months 4-9: Gisele was taking around 60oz of milk a day. (I EP'ed so i knew how much she was drinking) if that would have been formula I would have been paying around 225.00/month

Wow!  I guess this just shows how different every baby is.  Maddie only has 20-22 ounces per day!  The most she has ever had during a big growth spurt was 30.

Kim, maybe the best thing to do is keep that part of the budget very flexible until he is here and you can see how BFing is going, if he has any allergies, and how much of an eater he is.

yup- our pedi recommended that we start solids at month five because she just never seemed satisified with the milk. she would drink and drink and drink. which i was happy to give her- but would have been very costly if that was formula lol.

MamatoJackson

Good deal. Sounds like bumping it up to more like $200 would be a good idea.  Guess we'll have to see how everything goes once he gets here.

 

Ahem.  If he gets here... *checks watch*

 

Hahahah. 

hcassell

I had also planned to BF, but it didn't work out.  DS has a milk allergy and his prescription formula is $45 for a can that lasts 2-3 days.  It's ridiculous.  I'm so thankful for good insurance. 

P&J7

I would only add $100 (MOST)a month without coupons!!  Tips on getting the best price possible. Go to the vendor of your choice for forumla and sign up for coupons.   Then sign up at BRU as well to recieve flyers/coupons.  I usually would go in the beginning of the month to BRU with formula coupons from BRU and then coupons from the vendor. I would buy 4-5 containers ...and then by the next month .. I would have coupons again and I wont be out of formula just yet.  Similac (sp?)gives out $3-5 off and Enifamil (Sp?) usually gives out $5-7 coupons.  BRU coupons are usually if you buy 2 or more.. you get $3.00 off.  I hope this helps!!