Does breastfeeding scare you? Try one of these tips to save money

When I was budgeting for my first child, I didn’t even think about breast milk as I planned on breastfeeding at the time. And yet, babies have a way of messing up even the best-laid plans.

When I suffered from malnutrition and my daughter was diagnosed with a medical condition, she started taking Nutramigen, a hypoallergenic formula that is getting more expensive.It will open a new window about $46 for a 21-ounce can. She only needed four cans each month as she was also breastfeeding.

Suddenly, I asked myself how to use baby milk in my budget. It’s common for formula to cost $296 a month when a baby is fed formula alone, according to BabyCenter’s first annual Baby Cost Calculator. If your child has allergies or special food intolerances, they can spend up to $500 a month on formula.

There is no denying that the formula is expensive. Although these numbers are difficult to read, they can help you create a cost-effective budget. And sometimes there are ways to save on every pipe – it’s not much, but every dollar helps.

7 safe ways to save money on formula

1. Enter the support program

There are programs designed to help you pay for formula. WIC – also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children – is a government program designed to help women and children under five years of age get food, including milk, says Daniel Ganjian, MD.It will open a new windowboard-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

Through WIC, federal agencies provide specific types of infant formula to families, free of charge. You may be surprised to find out if you qualify for WIC – call your local WIC office or use this screening toolIt will open a new window search.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is another federal program that helps low-income families access food, including milk. Eligibility depends on family size and income – check your eligibility onlineIt will open a new window.

Some food banks and local charities also provide options for families in need, says Dr. Ganjian. There is no shame in using these things if you need them.

2. Ask for examples

Your pediatrician’s office may have free samples, Dr. Ganjian says. When you’re on the go, ask the nurse if she’s available. Just keep in mind that models are often of different colors that can end up costing you more money to buy in the long run.

3. Sign up for brand loyalty and rewards programs

Mary Beth Foster, a mother of two, uses loyalty programs and rebates to save money on formula. She shops at Target with the store’s Red Card, which saves her 5% on everything, including formula.

Formula brands often have their own loyalty programs, which is helpful if your baby likes brand name. For example, Enfamil RewardsIt will open a new window net you 10 points for every $1 spent. Points can go toward discounts, cashback, and more. MySimilac RewardsIt will open a new window is a matching program that allows you to redeem coupon points, among other things.

4. Selling and using coupons

Kate Wehr, a mother of five, found out about the average price of milk her children use. When he sees a can for less than usual, he picks up three.

Target runs promotions that let you get a gift card after spending a certain amount, and that’s where Foster’s will keep the formula. They will use the gift card to purchase other formulas.

You can also print coupons directly from manufacturer websites, or ask a breastfeeding friend if she has any unused coupons from her stationery store.

5. Set up registration

Maintaining a formula subscription not only ensures that you will have a new pipe when you need it, but it can also help you save money. Some online retailers such as Target, Amazon, and Walmart offer discounts when you set up a subscription for certain products.

Amazon’s Subscribe and Save service offers discounts starting at 5% and free shipping, for example.

6. Consider a store brand or generic formula

Although some babies, like mine, develop allergies that require a special formula (more on that below), most can tolerate the lactose formula. If it’s true for you, you don’t have to choose the most expensive one on the shelf.

Dr. “All infant formula sold in the United States is required to meet strict Food & Drug Administration standards,” Ganjian said.

You’ll often find that store-bought generics are cheaper than brand-name formulas. That’s because they don’t spend a lot of money on marketing, sales, and packaging – and that money isn’t passed on to consumers. However, they provide the same nutrition, assures Dr. Ganjian.

If you have decided to change the type of formula, Dr. Ganjian recommends taking it slow. “Start by mixing a small amount of the new product with the old formula, and gradually increase the amount of the new product over several days,” he says.

7. Check if you have insurance

Since my daughter needed a special medication for her allergies, insurance covered the cost of the medication and shipped it directly to our home in bulk. However, it is very rare that health insurance pays for formula, Dr. Ganjian says. This is usually only done in babies who have been diagnosed with congenital malformations, metabolic syndrome, or other serious illnesses.

If your child has a health problem, ask the doctor if he can prescribe a special medicine; then check with your insurance company if it is covered. If it is covered, you should buy your medicine at a pharmacy or health supply store instead of at your local grocery store.

Skip these dangerous cost-cutting mistakes

Saving money is important, especially when you have a new baby. But some cost-cutting measures shouldn’t be compromised. Here’s what you should skip when it comes to your baby’s breast milk.

• Do not accept open cans. Maybe your friend swapped formulas, and gave you an unopened but empty can. As tempting as it may be to take a slightly processed product, harmful bacteria can grow in those open bags. It’s best to accept only unopened cans, says Dr. Ganjian.

• Do not pour the water. The ratio of water to powder is carefully calculated for each type. If you add extra water to make your milk last longer, “this reduces nutrients and can lead to serious health problems,” Dr. Ganjian warns. Remember, babies don’t need water until they are six months old.

• Don’t do it yourself. Babies need special nutrients for proper growth and development. Dr. Ganjian says: