If you have or are expecting a little one, one of the biggest expenses you will have is formula. In fact, jury’s still out on if diapers or formula gets the #1 spot on baby expenses. I guess it would be diapers if you looked at it from an overall view since they are in diapers longer than they are on formula. But on a week-to-week or month-to-month basis, you might actually be spending more on formula.
I did a blog series on how to save on baby essentials – including on post on all the many ways to save on formula.
I do not want to get into the argument on breast vs. bottle. I nursed my son exclusively for 10 weeks, supplemented for 2 and then he was fully on formula at 12 weeks old because I had to go back to work and I couldn’t nurse anymore. Nursing is best for your baby and I said I would do it for as long as I was able, and I did.
Now, on to formula…
You can read through the link above how to save on formula. Similac, Enfamil, and Nestle all have programs you can sign up for to receive coupons. But, the coupons can be few compared to the amount of formula you purchase. I encourage the use of store brand formula because it is just as nutritionally sound and approved by the FDA as the national brands (and in some cases, made by the same company!)
You can visit the website StoreBrandFormula to get a coupon to try a store brand formula. I found that most store brands mimic Enfamil Lipil. My son did well on Enfamil and when I needed to buy a store brand the switch didn’t bother him. I realize that all babies are different and you need to find what’s best for YOUR baby. But I also don’t want you to NOT use store brand (and save a ton of money!) just because you think that national brands are better. While you’re at StoreBrandFormula you can read about how store brand and national brands compare and what you’re really paying for when you buy a national brand (it’s not better nutrition – you’re paying for marketing, advertising, oh, and all those free samples they give away at the hospital? You’re paying for those with every can you buy!)
Make the choice you feel you need to make – just make sure it’s an informed choice! :)
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