Average cost to formula feed a baby

The Cost of Baby Formula

The cost of baby formula in the U.S. has skyrocketed – and that’s if you can find any. Whereas in 2019 name brand baby formula cost American parents anywhere from 9 cents per ounce to 32 cents per ounce, by the first half of 2022 the price of such products had soared to a range of 54 cents per ounce to $1.15 per ounce, or higher if you’re not shopping at a discount outlet like Costco or Sam’s Club. Such costs and scarcity are driving some parents to buy generic brand formula from online vendors, turn to milk banks or just do without. Here’s why the cost of feeding a baby has shot up so dramatically.

Consider working with a financial a family-focused financial advisor who can guide you through these and other costs associated with the journey of raising a child.

Baby Formula Cost Per Month: A Breakdown

To understand the real cost of baby formula, the first step is to estimate how much milk your baby will need. Certified breastfeeding specialist Kelly Bonyata estimates babies consume an average of 25 ounces of milk per day during their first year.

Calculating the cost of baby formula will also require you to find out how much your preferred brand costs per ounce. Based on our research, you can expect to pay 54 cents per ounce for the cheaper brands. The higher-end brands will run you around around $1.15 cents per ounce or more.

If your baby currently consumes 25 ounces of milk per day, you can expect to spend between $821.25 and $2,920 in your baby’s first year – depending on the brand you choose.

Here’s how we calculated the cost of baby formula per year.

54 cents X 25 = $13.50
$13.50 X 365 = $4,927.50

$1.15 X 25 = $28.75
$28.75 X 365 = $10,493.75

If you want to figure out the cost of baby formula per month, simply take the price of baby formula you calculated for a year and divide by 12. Based on the above calculations, your monthly cost is going to range from about $411 to about $874. If you’re buying from a milk bank, of which there are about 30 in the U.S., expect to pay about $6,000 per month.

Now, whether the infant formula you purchase is worth the cost depends on your individual situation and preferences. But now that you know what to expect, you can calculate your budget to account for the cost of baby formula.

Of course, your baby would likely need more baby formula in the middle of the first year of life as she grows before gradually cutting back as she starts eating more solid food.

To give you a better picture of how the cost of baby formula will fluctuate over time, the table below from Bonyata breaks down the recommended ounces of milk a baby should consume throughout her first year, from minimum to maximum.

Daily Amount of Baby Formula Required in Ounces
0 weeks – 2 months	14 – 21	28 – 32
2 – 6 months	24	40
6-9 months	24	32
9 -12 months	18	32

But price shouldn’t be the only factor you’re weighing when it comes to choosing the right baby formula for your child. Some types may be vastly healthier than others.

Why Baby Formula Is Scarce

There are only four major producers of baby formula in the United States and one of them, Abbott Laboratories, accounts for a little more than 40% of the supply. After a whistleblower complaint following a few instances of babies getting sick, the FDA ordered Abbott to suspend production until it could verify that there were no contaminants. That verification was completed on May 13, the same day the administration unveiled a website for parents seeking formula: hhs.gov/formula.

One reason for the concentration of formula producers is because of protective tariffs, up to 17.5%, on imports. Further, critics assert that FDA labeling and ingredient requirements dissuade non-U.S. producers from entering the domestic market. Another factor is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for low-income mothers. About half of all baby formula in the U. S. is purchased with WIC benefits. However, the range of brands available using WIC benefits is limited, something the administration says it is working to broaden.

Why Cheaper Generic Baby Formula Isn’t Always Better

When it comes to saving money on the products we need, we sometimes resort to generic versions to save a few dollars or cents. But you want the best for your child’s health, and the cheapest baby formula on the shelf may not help you achieve this goal.

Several companies offer organic baby formula with no added sugars. One example is Huggable.

In fact, the U.S.-based company says its products are from European countries where regulations around the ingredients used in baby formula are a lot stricter than in the U.S. Huggable’s prices compare to the costs of the higher-end brands on American shelves. But the company aims to justify the cost through its potential health benefits.

“A lot of the baby formulas you’ll find in the U. S. use high fructose corn syrup, glucose syrup solids or just plain sugar as the base for the carbohydrate,” Huggable CEO Madhu Punjabi said. “It’s no mystery, then, why there’s a childhood obesity and diabetes epidemic right now in the U.S.”

The main carbohydrate in breast milk is lactose. Punjabi added that a high quality formula would ideally try to mimic breast milk as close as possible.

“High-quality formulas should be based on organic cow’s milk or organic goat’s milk, because, like breast milk, these have lactose as their carbohydrate base, instead of sugars,” she said.

Huggable and similar infant formulas also contain probiotics, which experts at the Cleveland Clinic say can reduce the amount of infection- and inflammation-causing bacteria in your baby’s gut.

The Huggable website notes that with “nearly 1 in 5 children in the U.S. having obesity, it’s never been more important to carefully read the ingredients list of the formula you choose for your little one to make sure it doesn’t contain added sugar. ”

But while weighing the costs and health benefits of different baby formulas, some may consider not going down the formula route at all to nourish their children. Many nursing mothers, of course, subscribe to the idea that “breast is best.” Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life. It’s often touted as a money-saving options, because the milk is free. But breastfeeding is not without costs of its own.

The Costs of Breastfeeding vs. Formula

For various reasons, some women may not be able to breastfeed their children. And those who can may need help, which can cost money. For instance, you may need a lactation consultant. A home visit from this expert lasting about two hours can cost several hundred dollars. A single office visit can also climb to $350. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance, as some or all of this cost may be covered.

You may also need the following, though these products are not always necessary:

Nursing bra: Starting at about $12
Hand pumps: $5 to $35
Nursing shirt: Starting at about $10
Double electric pump: $120 to $350
Nursing dress: Starting at about $20
Nursing pillow: $10 to $50

In addition, this doesn’t factor in the cost of a breastfeeding mother’s time. This includes economic loss that breastfeeding may take depending on your profession. If you earn sales commissions, for instance, the time you spend in the lactation room may diminish the amount of time you’re able to spend closing deals.

So from an economic standpoint, which is best for you – breastfeeding or formula?

Remember, you can expect to pay $10,000 for higher-end baby formula in a year. The cost of breastfeeding is a lot harder to measure, however, because many of the costs are optional. And whether you require them depends on your individual situation.

But let’s say you have two at-home lactation consultations in a year, totaling $600. If you purchase all the products listed above without replacing them, you’re looking at a breastfeeding cost of $847 (we selected the most expensive choice for the products for which we reported price ranges).

Without taking into consideration the cost of a breastfeeding mother’s time, this estimation shows breastfeeding is about 30% the cost of formula. Ultimately, the decision is yours based on time, physical ability, health considerations, personal preferences and money.

How to Save on Baby Formula

Because some mothers may find breastfeeding difficult, time consuming or even impossible, they want to make sure they are making the right choice when it comes to formula. They also want to be mindful of their wallet when deciding on their brand of choice. But if you use baby formula, there are plenty of ways to slash the price tag. After all, the cost of raising a child is high enough.

“Always buy in bulk, and make sure you have a list when you walk into the grocery store,” said Neale Godfrey, a financial literacy expert.

She added that this list should prioritize the items you need for your baby. For instance, organic products that you need would go at the top. Lists are useful to have when you’re browsing the aisles, but they can be especially handy while you’re shopping online. That way, you make sure you’re getting all that you need and watching your budget.

Here are some additional tips to reduce the price of baby formula.

Comparison shop online: E-commerce websites don’t have the same overhead as physical stores, so they can often reduce the price of your favorite baby formula – especially when you buy in large quantities.

Buy in bulk: These days, you can find several stores and websites that offer discounts when you buy baby formula in bulk. While there, you can also cut down on other products you need for your baby.

Use coupons: While you can still clip paper coupons from the Sunday paper, the internet is loaded with websites dedicated to coupons. You can also download apps onto your phone that can find baby formula coupons for you.

Ask your doctor for free samples: Major brands often provide doctors with free batches of their products, so ask if your doctor has some on hand.

Sign up for mailing lists: If you visit your favorite infant formula brand’s website, you can likely sign up for a mailing list. Companies often send welcome packages with free samples. And you can get coupons and other discounts sent to you periodically.

Use powdered formula: Across brands, powdered infant formula tends to be cheaper than liquid forms.

Check with your insurance provider: If your baby needs a specific kind of formula, your insurance provider may cover it. Depending on which type of insurance you have, you can open a health savings account (HSA). These help you invest for your baby’s medical expenses while enjoying unique tax breaks.

Earn rewards: If you’re using your credit card to purchase baby formula, you can earn some money while doing it. Shop around for the best cash-back credit cards. Some of the best checking accounts around offer this perk as well. Even 1.5% cash-back on purchases can put some significant money back in your pocket over time.

Look into WIC: Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for government assistance. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states. Their services help low-income women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or using formula access food and healthcare.

The Takeaway

Feeding your baby can be costly, whether breastfeeding or providing formula. Baby formula costs can rise especially high, but there are plenty of ways you can save. Try buying in bulk, surfing the web for deals and asking your doctor for free samples. Cost shouldn’t be the only factor that determines the type of baby formula you use. The formula you select can affect the health of your child. It’s important to pay close attention to the ingredients in that formula to capture a true picture of the cost and benefit of the food you provide for your child. It’s a good idea to discuss your decision with your child’s pediatrician.

Tips to Save for Your Child’s Future

If you just had a baby, you may be concerned about what the costs of college may be when your little one is ready to leave the nest. But you can start preparing now by opening a 529 college savings plan. These help you invest in your child’s future college expenses while you enjoy some tax breaks. Each state sponsors at least one, and most require no minimum contribution. We also published a report on all you need to know about college savings plans.
The average cost of raising a child through age 17 is close to a quarter of a million dollars a year, according to a recent report by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. But there are plenty of ways to save and invest in your child’s future, including getting professional help.
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/Laikwunfai, ©iStock.com/jubaphoto, ©iStock.com/pinstock

Disclosure: SmartAsset prepared this post in partnership with Huggable.

Javier Simon, CEPF® Javier Simon is a banking, investing and retirement expert for SmartAsset. The personal finance writer's work has been featured in Investopedia, PLANADVISER and iGrad. Javier is a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. He has a degree in journalism from SUNY Plattsburgh. Javier is passionate about helping others beyond their personal finances. He has volunteered and raised funds for charities including Fight Cancer Together, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

How Much Does Formula Feeding Cost? | Little Bundle

Our goal at Little Bundle is to sell the best, organic formulas available. We know the price of supplementing or formula feeding may feel overwhelming. The good news? Purchasing organic, European baby formula is not as expensive as you might think!

Read on to learn the costs associated with different feeding choices and see how European formulas compare.

Have you heard someone say that “breastfeeding is free?” This is a large factor in why some moms choose to breastfeed! The truth is a bit more complicated.

If functioning optimally, breast milk production follows a supply-and-demand model: the more the baby feeds, the more breast milk is produced. Many moms will tell you, however, that breastfeeding is not this straightforward! As a result, there is a booming industry of products, services, and supplements for purchase that promise to increase milk supply and make breastfeeding easier.

Breastfeeding moms may spend money on:

A breast pump and/or related pump accessories not covered by insurance ($30-$500+ estimated cost)
Lactation consultant services ($200-$350 estimated cost)
Lip or tongue-tie revision surgery to improve latch ($500+ estimated cost)
Lactation supplements or cookies ($20-$30/mo estimated cost)
Nursing pillows, nursing pads, nipple creams, nursing or pumping bras, nursing covers and more ($5-$50/each estimated cost)

In addition to these direct expenses, breastfeeding also has an indirect cost -- the amount of time it takes. If a mother exclusively breastfeeds for an entire year, she’s likely to spend 1,800 hours or more nursing. That’s nearly as many hours as a full-time job!

For many moms, time spent away from work to breastfeed or pump is not paid. This means that breastfeeding “costs” whatever wage she could have earned if she had not taken a break to pump or feed. For a woman who makes $15/hour and needs to pump at work 3 times a day for 20 minutes at a time, she may sacrifice $300 each month in lost wages.

This calculation does not apply to stay-at-home moms or those paid a salary, and there are certainly benefits of breastfeeding that outweigh the direct and indirect costs for some mothers. Even so, breastfeeding is not as “free” as advertised for many families.

Parents should expect to spend between $1,200-$2,000 if exclusively formula feeding during their baby’s first year. Speciality formulas, such as those that contain hydrolyzed proteins, may cost even more. While this is certainly a lot of money, keep in mind that this equates to roughly $3-$6 per day when spread across a year.

Formulas that are offered as generic brands from bulk retailers like Walmart tend to run cheaper-- sometimes as low as $0. 11 per fluid ounce.

Keep in mind, however, that generic U.S. formulas can be sold for this low price because they use an inexpensive carbohydrate source-- corn syrup solids or sucrose (aka table sugar) instead of lactose (which is the carbohydrate source found in breastmilk and is more expensive).

More well-known brands such as Similac and Enfamil range from $0.18 to more than $0.30 per fluid ounce depending on the retailer and formula type. Some of these name-brand formulas also contain carbohydrate sources that are not ideal, such as Similac Total Comfort which contains less than 1% lactose.

European formulas are better quality, certified organic, and use appropriate carbohydrate sources as regulated by the European Commission. As such, they are typically perceived to be more expensive. In reality, many European formulas are comparable to name-brand formulas found in the U.S. based on price per fluid ounce! Here’s what you can expect to pay for stage 1 infant formula for our top three European formula brands:

Holle

Holle offers both cow milk formulas and their famous goat milk formulas. Holle Bio, a cow milk formula, can be purchased at $0.24-$0.26 per fluid ounce, while Holle Bio PRE is available for $0.26-$0.28 per fluid ounce. Holle’s stage 1 goat milk formula typically costs $0.31-$0.35 per fluid ounce.

HiPP

The cost for HiPP formulas varies widely based on country of origin and whether they address a speciality concern like reflux. Here’s the breakdown of costs per fluid ounce for each formula type in stage PRE or 1:

HiPP AR and HiPP Comfort: $0.26-$0.29
HiPP HA and HiPP HA PRE: $0.28-$0.32
HiPP UK: $0.20-$0.22
HiPP Dutch: $0.21-$0.24
HiPP German: $0.23-$0.25

Kendamil

Kendamil is a research and development-led infant nutrition business with 60 years of experience and you can now find their Stage 1-3 Organic Formulas offered on our website. Packed with essential nutrients, made with full cream milk, vitamins, prebiotics plus ARA and plant-based DHA, and you’ll never find palm, soy, or fish oils in their formulas as they use algal oil instead — making their products vegetarian-friendly. This formula costs $0.24 per fluid ounce

Lebenswert

Lebenswert, which is produced by Holle, offers a single line of ultra-clean formula that is certified to Bioland standards. This formula costs $0.23-$0.25 per fluid ounce depending on the size of the order.

As you can see in the chart below, the cost of European formula is very comparable to name-brand U.S. formulas. In some cases, it’s even cheaper!

If you are committed to using a European formula for your infant but are concerned about the cost, we recommend HiPP UK or HiPP Dutch. Both are nutritionally-complete formulas that are organic and contain DHA and prebiotic fiber. HiPP Dutch also contains probiotics, though many parents choose to use a probiotic supplement if they purchase a formula that does not include them.

HiPP UK and HiPP Dutch formulas, which run $0.20-$0.22 per fluid ounce, are the most comparable in price to the name-brand formulas you’ll find at your local grocery store.

No one likes to spend more than they have to! Here are five ways to save money on the cost of your formula if you buy from Little Bundle:

Start small - It can be tempting to stock up if you see a sale or find a great price. Keep in mind though that formula cannot be returned as it’s not safe to resell. If you’re not sure what formula will suit your baby best, start by purchasing a single box. This way you’re not out hundreds of dollars and stuck with a product you can’t return if it doesn’t work for you.

Buy in bulk - Once you’ve settled on a formula, go ahead and buy in bulk! You can save up to 12% per container when you buy a 12- or 15-pack from Little Bundle. We did the math for you – that’s up to $300 in savings if you exclusively formula feed for baby’s first year.

Use Affirm - Did you know that Little Bundle offers a payment plan option? By selecting Affirm at checkout you can get the cost savings of bulk ordering with the flexibility of monthly payments. This allows customers to pay a cheaper monthly rate than they would if they bought smaller quantities on a monthly basis.

Refer-a-friend - Little Bundle has a referral program! Simply share about Little Bundle’s formulas with your network. Your friends will get $10 off their first order and you’ll receive $10 in store credit after their purchase of $50 or more. There’s no limit to how many people you can invite!

Subscribe for discounts and sales - Are you receiving our newsletter, The Weekly Hug? We share great content, testimonials, product spotlights AND occasional sales and discount codes. Don’t miss out! Subscribe today by visiting littlebundle.com and entering your email address in the field at the bottom of the page.

Overwhelmed? We’re Here to Help!

Our team of Certified Infant Nutrition Technicians are moms and caregivers themselves who are formula feeding experts. They’d love to talk with you about selecting a formula and to give you advice about how much to purchase! Reach out on live chat, send a message, or email at hello@littlebundle. com to get expert insight and support.

How much does breastfeeding cost - from the personal experience of a breastfeeding mother

Before having a baby, I thought that breastfeeding is free, because it is a natural process. But everything turned out to be wrong.

Anna Kondrashova

Breastfed for 1 year

Author profile

During the year of breastfeeding, I spent money on accessories, clothes, underwear and medications for nursing, and saved only on specialists.

There is no universal instruction on what to buy in this question. I hope my experience will help not to overpay where possible.

Attention!

This article is the author's personal experience. There will be no recommendations and advice on how to properly attach the baby to the breast, and there will be no thoughts about what is better - artificial feeding or breastfeeding. If you managed not to spend anything at all on feeding or, on the contrary, overpay several times more, share your experience in the comments.

How I prepared to breastfeed

Two years ago I had my first child and I was going to breastfeed him. I watched videos about lactation on the Internet in advance and read a book by Irina Ryukhova, a lactation consultant with international certification - "How to give a baby health." In theory, everything was simple.

But my friends with children were divided into two camps. For some, feeding improved on its own, and no third-party accessories were needed. Others lost their milk a week after giving birth, and the purchased things for nursing went to Avito for next to nothing.

/baby-cost/

How much does a baby cost in the first year

As a result, I only bought a couple of blouses for nursing in advance: if lactation does not improve, things can still be worn. I also had a pillow for pregnant and nursing. As for the rest, I decided: if I need it, I’ll buy it, we don’t live with a shortage.

What accessories did I buy

It seems that stores for pregnant women and new mothers offer such a choice for a reason: if they offer, then they buy, and if they buy, then they really need it. But this doesn't always happen. Here is what is usually advised to buy for those who are going to breastfeed.

Maternity and nursing pillow - soft 2m roll. Her friends said that it is convenient to sleep with her when she has a big belly, and after giving birth, she can be bent and placed under the baby if you feed while sitting. There are also pillows only for feeding - in the form of a horseshoe.

/baby-cost-calc/

Calculator: how much you will spend per child in the first year

Prices for new ones start at 500 R and depend on the brand, design and additional bells and whistles - a removable cover or ties. Pillows with natural down, feathers and bamboo fiber are more expensive than those with synthetic filling.

I bought a new pillow for 1990 R. But it took up a lot of space in the bed, and it turned out to be hot to sleep with it. When the child was born, I fed him only lying down, and the pillow was not useful. If you decide to save money, you can look at Avito: they are sold there from 200 R.

My pillow had synthetic holofiber and ribbons to tie around my stomach.

I also bought a breast pump: I need it to pump. For example, when a mother has an excess of milk, and the child is sleeping, or when you need to leave and leave food for him.

There are manual and electronic breast pumps. Manual ones are cheaper - within 250 R, but they pump the breast longer, and because you have to press the handle or pump, your hand gets tired. Electronic breast pumps are many times more expensive, but they work quickly and at the touch of a button.

I did not buy a breast pump in advance: I hoped that the hospital would explain how to pump with your hands, but they only showed me how to put the baby to the breast. And when the milk came, I didn't know where to put it, because the baby was sleeping. At the maternity hospital, I was given an electronic breast pump, and after being discharged, I ran to the nearest Detsky Mir.

We know ways not to overpay for anything at all

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Two years later, I gave birth to my second child and I needed a new breast pump: the silicone parts of the old one turned yellow and I was afraid to use it. The same model of breast pump already cost 2279R. But there was still time before the birth, so I waited for the promotion at Ozone, accumulated bonuses there and paid for part of the purchase with them. Only 1126 rubles came out.


So I saved on a breast pump

This is how I saved money on a breast pump

To feed your baby with expressed milk, you need a bottle and a nipple. I had them complete with a breast pump, but my son did not like the shape of the nipple - he spat it out. I didn’t buy a new pacifier, my son got used to it later.

I also needed a soft silicone spoon: plastic or metal can scratch the baby's palate. I bought a set of two silicone spoons for 349 R. But it turned out to be unprofitable: I used only one, on the Internet similar spoons are sold individually and cost 150 R. In addition, feeding with such a spoon turned out to be long and inconvenient. As a result, until the child learned to drink from a bottle, I poured milk into his mouth with a simple disposable syringe for 10 R.

A bottle with a nipple and a soft silicone spoon

In the first days, not all children take the breast correctly, and cracks appear on it. If silicone pads are used for feeding, old wounds will heal faster, and new ones will not appear.

In the pharmacy near the maternity hospital, only Avent brand pads were sold for 500 R. On the Internet, there were also within 300 R, but not such well-known brands. There was no time to look for an alternative - I had to buy expensive ones.

I used pads for 4 days until the breast healed

When there is a lot of milk, it can leak from the breast. In order not to wet the clothes, disposable liners are placed in the bra. A pack of 30 costs from 125 R. According to reviews, I chose inserts that cost 300 R per pack. Milk leaked for the first 4 months: at first I spent 4 inserts a day, then 2. In total, it took 12 packs - 3600 R.

What kind of nursing clothes and underwear did I buy? To feed a child on a walk or in a clinic, you do not need to undress - just open a special pocket, and no one will see anything.

Wearing an ordinary bra with underwire and push-up during lactation is uncomfortable: you can compress the breast and get inflammation. You need a special bra made of elastic fabric and a special cut.

In a maternity store, I bought a bra in advance for 800 R. But sleeping in this turned out to be uncomfortable - a cropped top is better for sleeping. In the nearest but expensive store, a set of two tops cost 2000 R. If I had waited for the sale, I would have spent 2.5 times less.

I bought a nightgown in a maternity store for 700 R. Before the birth of my second child, I ordered the same one for 471 R at Wildberry, waiting for a promotion.

I urgently bought another shift shirt after giving birth for 1600 R.

I bought two blouses for 700 R and 750 R. But they turned out to be useless: I wore ordinary clothes, and in crowded places I fed with expressed milk from a bottle.

Nursing blouses from 130 R are sold on Avito Nursing bra It is convenient to breastfeed in such a shirt

What drugs did I take

Two remedies were prescribed for wounds on my chest: a healing ointment and a moisturizer with lanolin. The ointment cost an average of 400 R per 30 grams, cream - from 400 R per 37 grams. During the feeding time, I spent one tube of cream and ointment each.

To support my body, I took a multivitamin complex for nursing mothers and a calcium preparation. A package of vitamins from 100 capsules cost 1700 R, from 30 capsules - 600 R. In a year it took 3 large packages and 2 small ones - 6300 R. Calcium I drank 6 packages of 700 R.

The arsenal of pharmacy products cost me 11 300 R. Source : Yandex Market

How much does it cost to turn to professionals for help? Ryukhova's book "How to give a baby health" contained instructions on how to do it correctly, but it seemed to me long and tricky.

It turned out that there are lactation consultants: they help solve problems with lactation. These are not always professional doctors - any woman who has nursed at least one child can be trained, pass an exam and receive a certificate. It will give the right to advise mothers on lactation issues. Usually consultants look for clients in social networks and among acquaintances.

5000 R

average cost of consulting a breastfeeding specialist at home

If you need not just a consultant, but a doctor, you can call a team from a paid medical center. In one of these centers, I was offered diagnostics, ultrasound, laser therapy, and breast pumping at home for 10,000 R. Another 2000 R would have to be paid for leaving at night.

Price from the website of a consultant who was recommended to me by my friends. I live 4 km from Moscow and I was not ready to pay 6400 R for a trip

But I found free articles and training videos on the Internet. They are posted by experienced mothers or novice consultants. There was enough information to arrange feeding herself. And with a strong stagnation of milk, I called an ambulance, and they helped me: they brought down the temperature and taught self-massage of the chest.

I counted how much breastfeeding "ate" in a year and what expenses turned out to be useless.

How much I spent

What I bought	Price	Useful
Nursing vitamins	6300 R	👍
Calcium preparation	4200 R	👍
Bra pads	3600 R	👍
Nightgowns	2300 R	👍
Breast pump with bottle and teat	2099 P	👍
Sleep Crop Tops	2000 R	👍
Nursing pillow	1990 R	👎
2 nursing blouses	1450 R	👎
Nursing bra	800 Р	👍
Silicone pads	500 R	👍
Silicone spoons	349 Р	👎
Healing ointment	400 R	👍
Moisturizer	400 R	👍
Disposable syringe	10 R	👍
Breastfeeding articles and videos	0 R	👍
Total
Overpaid	3789 P

Pillow for the nursing

Price

1990 R

Cits

👎

Molocouss with a bottle and niply

200002 2099 R

Certained

0002 #

Silicone spoons

Price

349 R

Certainly

👎

A one -time syringe

Price

,0005,0002

500 R

Useful

👍

Disposable bra pads

Price

3600 R

03

♥

2 Blues for the nursing

Price

1450 R

Certainly

👎

Bracks

800 R

9025 sleep

Price

2000 R

Useful

👍

Nightgowns for nursing

Price 900 3 9000 20002 was useful for

Healing ointment from cracks

Price

400 R

Certainly

♥

Moisturizer for Breast

9000 @ Vitamins for nursing

Price

6300 R

Useful

👍

Calcium preparation

Price 900 2 30478

You can borrow or buy second-hand things you don't need.

Before buying nursing blouses and dresses, I advise you to think about whether you are going to feed in public places.

It makes sense to watch videos and articles about breastfeeding in advance so as not to spend money on consultants.

In an emergency, learn how to call an ambulance from your mobile. And write down the numbers of breastfeeding hotlines in your city: they usually provide free consultations and around the clock.

Feeding baby formula

All parents dream that their child grows and develops correctly and harmoniously. However, the formation of a child's body largely depends on balanced nutrition that the baby receives from the first days of life.

Dry milk drink "Baby milk" Valio Baby 3 NutriValio for feeding children over 12 months Read more

Of course, the best food for a baby is mother's milk, because it gives the child a lot of useful and necessary substances for growth and development. The quality of a child's nutrition in early childhood largely determines the state of his health in adulthood. In addition, nutrition is important in the development of the child's central nervous system and affects his intelligence and abilities.

If the child is artificially fed, it is all the more important to consciously approach the issue of his nutrition, carefully choosing the right mixture. Carefully monitor the feeding regime and introduce complementary foods in a timely manner. It is in the power of parents to provide the baby with health for many years.

#PROMO_BLOCK#

It is important to follow a few rules, always remembering that when choosing a diet, consultation with a doctor is required!

1. Give preference only to adapted mixtures, since in their composition they are as close as possible to the composition of breast milk.

2. Take into account the individual characteristics of the body and the state of health of the baby.

3. Take into account the age of the child and select mixtures of the appropriate stage - initial and subsequent. To make it easier for parents to navigate, the formulas are labeled with numbers: 1 (0–6 months), 2 (6–12 months), 3 (from 12 months). The initial (starter) mixture is indicated by the number 1 and is intended for children in the first six months of life. Subsequent formulas have the numbers 2 and 3 on the packaging. They are intended for older babies from 6 months. It is important to remember that in mixtures for each stage, the composition formula changes, taking into account the age-related characteristics of development and the needs of children.

4. Observe the dosage in accordance with the instructions on the packaging. Deviation from these norms can adversely affect the well-being and health of the child. If you take too much dry matter, the mixture will come out with an increased content of nutrients, which can lead to more frequent regurgitation, unstable stools and excessive stress on the kidneys and intestines. If you take the powder less than the specified norm, then the mixture will turn out to be low-calorie and insufficiently nutritious - the baby will remain hungry.

5. Use specially prepared water to dilute the mixture. Only clean and boiled water should be used.

With artificial feeding, it is impossible to abruptly transfer the baby to a qualitatively new food and without the need to change the mixture. It is very important to properly control the amount of feeding. For each age, the daily volume is calculated, which is divided by the number of doses. This is done so that the actual volumes eaten by the baby do not exceed the calculated recommended norms. To calculate the amount of feeding for the baby yourself, you should rely on the following data.

For a child in the first days of life, the volume of feedings (day and night) per day should be 1/5 of the child's body weight. Approximately 600-900
In the first 2 months, the amount of feeding per day should not exceed 1/5-1/6 of the child's body weight. For example, if a child weighs 4 kilograms, then he should eat no more than 800 g of the mixture per day.
For a 2-4 month old baby, the formula is 1/6 body weight (800-1000 g) per day
For a child aged 4-6 months, the maximum daily amount of formula should be 1/7 of body weight (900-1000 g).
After six months and up to 9 months, the baby should eat within the daily volume of the mixture not exceeding 1/8 of his body weight (1000-1100 g).
At the age of 9-12 months, the daily volume of milk formula is already 1/9 of the child's body weight (1100-1200 g).

To calculate the volume of each feeding, it is necessary to divide the calculated daily volume of milk formula by the optimal number of feedings. With artificial feeding of children in the first months of life, as a rule, 6-7 meals a day are recommended after 3 or 3.5 hours with a 6.5 or 6-hour break.

0-2 months - 7-10 feedings per day

2-4 months - 6-7 feedings per day

4-6 months - 5-6 feedings per day

6-12 months - 4-5 feedings per day

If a child has at least some deviations in development, a lag in weight gain, then you should definitely consult with a pediatrician to draw up a baby nutrition plan!

Most doctors and infant nutritionists agree that “free” (on demand) feeding is optimal for a baby. To meet the needs of the child, it is important for parents to listen to the child. However, when a child is bottle-fed, you should pay attention to some nuances. Already in the first days of life, babies show their individual character - one eats in moderation, the other can overeat. Therefore, when feeding with milk formulas, it is recommended to stick to the golden mean and choose a partially limited "free mode", when there are no restrictions on the time and frequency of feeding, but the volume of the mixture eaten is controlled.

From the first days of the transition to artificial feeding, it is important to carefully monitor the reactions of the baby and record them. The best option is to keep a child's food diary, where you need to write down all the nuances associated with feeding: time, amount of food, baby's reactions after feeding. If necessary, such a diary will help you and your baby's pediatrician adjust the schedule and volume of feedings, as well as understand the possible causes of problems with nutrition and growth.

After a year, the time comes to transfer the child to a diet that is closest to what is eaten in the family. And then the question arises of when to give up formula milk. If up to a year a child is breastfed or artificially fed and does not particularly need regular milk, then after a year it becomes an important source of nutrients: calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. But even the best cow's milk in its original form is not suitable for feeding young children. Why?

It's all about the large amount of casein, a protein that is difficult to digest and thereby increases the load on the child's digestive systems, which do not produce enough hydrochloric acid and enzymes to digest casein.

The ideal option for children from the age of one is a special baby milk or milk drink that will provide the child's body with all the necessary nutrients, helping to occur a natural transition and adaptation to the next, adult, stage of nutrition. Valio specialists have developed a special baby milk Valio Baby 3, which can be used with mixed and artificial feeding. It is ideal for children from one year old, who become more mobile and active every day. You can also learn more about the correct complementary foods menu in our blog.