Cost to formula feed a baby
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:
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 [email protected] to get expert insight and support.
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 BreakdownTo 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 ScarceThere 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 BetterWhen 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.
FormulaFor 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 FormulaBecause 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 TakeawayFeeding 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.
- 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.
Artificial feeding - Healthy Russia
In some situations, breastfeeding is not available and the baby has to be switched to formula. How to set it up correctly?
Sometimes there are situations in which the mother cannot breastfeed the child and it has to be transferred to artificial feeding. How to properly set up this process?
When to stop breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a completely natural process for every woman.
It provides not only nutrition for the baby, but also his emotional contact with his mother. If a woman is healthy, breastfeeding is easy. But there are cases in which a mother has to refuse breastfeeding: - when taking certain medications, - with prolonged stay in the hospital and surgical operations, - with infectious diseases, - with diseases of the mammary glands, - due to a long trip, - with prolonged absence of lactation.
What to feed
Human breast milk is ideally formulated for the needs of the baby. Therefore, it cannot be fed with whole cow's or even goat's milk. Their composition is very different from human milk and leads not only to indigestion in a child, but also to growth and development problems. special adapted mixtures are intended for artificial feeding of a baby, the composition of which manufacturers try to bring as close as possible to a woman's breast milk. They usually include whey proteins, casein, lactose, a composition of vegetable oils, as well as minerals and vitamins that meet the needs of the child at certain periods of his development.
The specific mixture is selected only by the pediatrician, depending on the health of the baby. Parents should not independently choose adapted mixtures based on their own preferences or financial capabilities without first consulting a specialist.
What to buy
- Purchase pediatric recommended formula . Buy it at a pharmacy or specialty store. When buying, be sure to check the expiration date. Mixtures packaged in metal cans are stored longer than those packed in plastic or foil bags and boxes. - Buy several bottles of in different sizes and several teats so that you have a supply. Soothers choose according to the preference of the child. Many babies have a hard time transitioning to bottle feeding, so it's a good idea to get a pacifier that's best suited to simulate breastfeeding at first. - Stock up necessary accessories for artificial feeding: a bottle brush, a sterilizer, a device for heating and maintaining the temperature of the mixture.
Electrical appliances do not have to be taken new, they can be purchased from hand or taken from relatives and friends. After all, they are rarely used for more than a year and, as a rule, remain in excellent condition.
Important!
- Modern adapted mixes are usually sold dry and require dilution with water. Prepare the mixture, strictly following the instructions on the package. Lack or excess of dry mix can adversely affect the baby's digestion. - If available, infuse mixture gradually, starting with 10 ml once a day. - Carefully monitor the reaction of the baby's body to the mixture. If you experience a allergic reaction to your skin, persistent constipation, diarrhea, or increased gas, contact your pediatrician immediately. - Carefully observe hygiene rules when preparing adapted formula, washing bottles and teats.
How to feed
The amount of food during bottle feeding is usually the same as the amount of breast milk the baby needs.
Before starting the introduction of the mixture, consult with the pediatrician so as not to overfeed the baby. Usually, formula feeding is carried out according to a certain regimen : the number of feedings and the volume of the mixture that the child should eat in each feeding are assigned. Since formula usually lingers in the stomach longer than breast milk, formula feeds fewer feeds. Many kids find it difficult to adapt to this regimen. And, after consulting a doctor, parents can switch to the so-called free artificial feeding, in which the child himself determines the frequency of feeding and the amount eaten. This mode is suitable for experienced parents who are well aware of the needs of their child - when he is really hungry, and when he needs affection and communication with adults. It is important not to overfeed the child - he should eat no more than the recommended amount of the mixture per day.
Do's and Don'ts
1.
Change the mixture without the recommendation of a pediatrician in the first three months of a baby's life. His digestive tract is still very immature at this age and takes a long time to adjust to the new mixture. 2. Try to feed the baby as much formula as possible. 3. Combine several different mixtures in feeding without the recommendation of a doctor. 4. Feed your baby a formula intended for an older age. 5. Refuse to consult a pediatrician if the child is not gaining weight, does not want to eat, or has indigestion.
Most important
If breastfeeding is not possible, the child should be switched to artificial feeding, for which special adapted formulas are intended. Talk to your pediatrician before you start giving formula to your baby - the doctor will help you choose a specific product and tell you how to properly feed your baby.
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is it possible to refuse breastfeeding
These are comments from Community readers.
Collected into one material, carefully edited and formatted according to editorial standards.
Julia Konyakhina
studied the opinion of readers
Author profile
According to WHO, only 40% of children under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. The rest are on artificial or mixed feeding.
We asked readers to tell us which way of feeding they have chosen for their children and why. A discussion unfolded in the comments: there were arguments both in defense of artificial mixtures and in favor of breastfeeding. We carefully studied the opinions of readers and chose arguments for switching to mixtures and against.
👍 For: mixtures help out when mom is not around
Evgeny Kulakov
experienced father
In October 2020, when the youngest child was six months old, the wife contracted the coronavirus and was admitted to the hospital for 10 days. And the mixture saved me, if not my life, then my nervous system for sure.
Although the baby was already given complementary foods, he was not yet weaned from the breast. I had to urgently order a mixture, or rather a lot of a mixture. So he got off his chest.
The eldest himself refused breast milk at six months. The doctor recommended that we switch to a mixture to avoid a lack of vitamins.
/papa-mozhet/
How can a man go on maternity leave
As for the pros and cons of formulas for children, no difference was noticed with breast milk. And the family benefited from not breastfeeding. Despite the restrictions during the pandemic, we became more mobile with the younger one: we were able to travel long distances and walk longer in nature.
👎 Against: breast milk is healthier for the baby
Zhenya
fed two
She breastfed two daughters, although both times were not easy. The older one could not be properly attached to the chest. It was very painful, the milk stagnated in the ducts, the child did not gain weight well.
She called breastfeeding specialists to the house: they helped, showed me how to feed properly. She fed her daughter for up to a year and seven months, then she quite easily refused to breastfeed.
I don't regret choosing to breastfeed. My daughter was a little sick, now she also easily tolerates SARS. Initially, she was anxious, and breastfeeding helped her calm down and fall asleep.
There was a lot of milk from the youngest, and I again suffered from severe lactostasis. Again she called a specialist: they strained her chest, albeit through tears. But then everything was perfect, fed up to a year and a half. There was a moment when the child tried to refuse the breast, but we managed to overcome it.
It seems inconvenient to me to feed with mixtures: you need to fiddle with jars, sterilize them, and heat them up. You may be allergic to the mixture. Breastfeeding is much easier: I put on a special apron and fed anywhere. I believe that mixtures are an extreme measure that can be taken only out of hopelessness.
Verunchik Gavrikova
passed the GV course
Initially, she was determined to breastfeed her baby. I read a lot, watched videos on YouTube about the best position to feed, how to properly attach the baby to the breast, what to do in case of lactostasis, mastitis, how to decant in an emergency with your hands. My friends gave me breast pumps, I bought absorbent breast pads.
I chose the GV-friendly maternity hospital, where after giving birth a consultant came to me and showed me how to apply the baby. I also took a special training course: it was not only about feeding, but also about the features of caring for children.
I can’t say that I am a fan of breastfeeding, but I think that this is the best option for a child. Nature has provided that the composition of milk varies depending on the age and needs of the baby. Through milk, he receives antibodies. That is, if a mother gets sick with SARS, the child will be protected.
After all, it's free, it's the bond between mother and child. At night, mom can sleep while the baby eats while sleeping together. As a result, everyone gets enough sleep.
/spi-moya-radost/
How to deal with baby sleep problems
Evgewa
breastfed for 2 years
There was not even a choice how to feed. She knew that there would be only breastfeeding, despite the fact that the child was born prematurely and spent a total of a month on nursing, of which one week was in intensive care.
The neonatologist said that at least a drop, but you need to give breast milk to the child. For several weeks, until it was impossible to go to the ward with him, I pumped every three hours and carried the milk. She did not feed only during the resuscitation period, where the child got two weeks after birth.
After discharge, already at home, feeding was established, which lasted up to two years without a single problem.
I remember this time as the happiest.
👍 For: when there is not enough milk, with a formula the child is more satisfying, and the mother is calmer In my family, all the women had little milk. Therefore, I prepared for the fact that I would have the same. She breastfed the eldest for up to five months, squeezing some miserable drops out of herself, and at the same time supplemented her with formula. I fed the younger one for a month and a half, but then I got tired of lying for hours with a breast in my mouth and no visible effect, so I switched him to a mixture in a week, and everyone felt good and satisfying.
Elena Goncharova
switched to the mixture and does not regret
I fed my son formula. It didn't work out for me with breastfeeding. I don’t know how it really is, but it felt like there wasn’t enough milk in the first week. I drank and lactation pills, and tea with milk, and ate often, but my chest quickly became empty, my son hung on it for an hour and a half and, as it seemed to me, did not eat enough.
I expressed some crumbs, got nervous, cried that I couldn't feed my son. It still hurt. Although it seemed like she tried to apply, as they taught in the maternity hospital. In the end, looking at my suffering, my sister said a very correct phrase: “Your task is to feed the child. And what is a secondary question. So we switched to a mixture. I don't regret.
We fed our son together with her husband: sometimes he, sometimes me. Walked longer, slept better. Until almost two years old, the child did not get sick with anything, constipation, and did not suffer from allergies. The only negative was only the price of the mixture. It turned out that a good one is not cheap.
/baby-cost-calc/
Calculator: How much will you spend per child in the first year
Perhaps with the second child I will immediately begin to feed the mixture, or maybe I will try breastfeeding again. But this will be my personal decision, I will not listen to anyone else on this issue.
👎 Against: contact with a child is priceless
Olga Rulich
had no problems with breastfeeding
It turned out to be difficult for me to wean the children from the breast. With the first child, this happened at two years and two months, with the second - at one year and eight months.
The process of establishing feeding and feeding itself was problem-free. I did not take medicines, there were no force majeure. Contact with the baby during feeding is invaluable.
👍 Pros: formula feeding is more convenient
Polina Kalmykova
weighed all the pros and cons and chose the mixture
Both children spent the first weeks after birth in the hospital. In order not to lose breastfeeding, I had to work hard: first, around the clock every three hours, go to the intensive care unit and express into the syringe, then sit in the hospital in the breast pumping room with ten more of the same mothers and prepare food.
All this was bleak: they don’t even give a child in their arms, after giving birth emotions rage, and here you are sitting - either you cry, or a neighbor.
After the hospital, my son did not want to breastfeed, she still suffered with breastplates: I remember, to be honest, all this with a shudder. As a result, I breastfed him for up to a year, and my daughter refused at four months: I was forced to switch to treatment that was incompatible with breastfeeding, and after a bottle, my daughter stopped breastfeeding. Probably, it was possible to find a consultant, try to fix something, but I had no particular desire.
A month before, a gastroenterologist from a polyclinic put me on the most rigid diet literally without anything, because my daughter had reflux. I decided it would be best for everyone to switch to a special blend. Later, however, it turned out that reflux absolutely fit into the physiological norm and there was no need to torment me like that.
Community 06/22/21
How to eat properly while breastfeeding?
Now my daughter is already a year old and I can compare breastfeeding and formula.
Brief conclusion: the mixture is much more convenient. My daughter very quickly switched to a full night's sleep. Sometimes, of course, he wakes up at night, but this cannot be compared with how his son slept on GV: he woke up three to five times during the night. It is also easier to put to bed: the daughter easily falls asleep with a bottle, and the son's connection "HV - sleep" quickly ceased.
Weaning our son from GV was also stressful for us: I tried to turn it all over for more than a month. With my daughter, there are no problems with weaning from the bottle. My children and I often go to different public places, and, of course, bottle feeding there is much easier than breastfeeding: you don’t have to look for feeding rooms, wrap yourself in snoods, or prepare for public censure. I am no longer ready to pump into a bottle after weeks in the hospital. Well, in general, it’s more comfortable for me to live when there is no milk in my breast: nothing presses, nothing swells, nothing leaks.
True, I also noticed the disadvantages. It seems that breastfeeding really has a better effect on the child's immunity: the son did not get sick at all in the first year, the daughter fell ill several times, once she even ended up in the hospital with bronchitis. Another point is cost. We used a can of 600 g of not the most expensive mixture in a few days, a month it turned out from 10,000 R and more. GV, of course, is much more economical.
👎 Against: breastfeeding is more physiological and cheaper0006
She breastfed both daughters. At first there were difficulties, but I struggled with them. Thanks to perseverance, she overcame all problems.
Feed each for over a year. I believe that this process is inherent in us by nature, and it is better not to interfere in the affairs of nature. I did not feel any inconvenience or deprivation due to breastfeeding. Thanks to small adjustments in nutrition, after two months I had a slim figure.
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How much does breastfeeding cost
From a financial point of view, GW is even more economical.
