With my first child, I stopped nursing at 4 months when he went on a nursing strike. I know now that it was because my supply wasn’t enough to sustain him and he was frustrated at trying to nurse for very little milk. At every pediatrician’s appointment, I’d ask for formula samples, and our ped gave me two or three sample cans each time. I signed up for coupons in my name, in my husband’s name with his work address, and in our parents’ names. I would wait for a sale and combine the coupons and sales. At one point, a “20% more!” can was being discontinued at our local store and was priced at 30% less than the regular size. I used my coupons and bought enough to last through his first birthday, saving quite a bit.

My second child nursed exclusively and on demand until she was 4 months old, when she began to lose weight. Our pediatrician put her on reflux medicine and a high calorie (read: really expensive!) formula so she would gain quickly, which she did, but that didn’t save any money either. She switched to regular formula once she hit her growth curve again, and I stocked up on organic Earth’s Best from Amazon.com. It was on sale for $18 from the normal price of $30 per 25.7 oz. container, and I saved 15% by doing the “subscribe and save” feature (canceling immediately.) That brought the price down to $15 per container. I bought enough to last through her first birthday as well.

If we have another baby, I won’t nurse, even though I know how beneficial it is. For me and my family, it is just too difficult and too expensive, and my supply is low despite all efforts. I could have saved a lot of money, time, and lot of tears (both the baby’s and mine) by going with formula from the start.

As an OB Doc, we always recommended breast milk first. But when that is not possible, I have no problem with the store brands. Just don’t tell the formula salesmen I said so…..

Good to hear you are helping with the feeding. Still a few milk stains on the back of my rocking chair. Remember those days fondly. Stay in the moment, as the time passes in a hurry.

That said, should parents ned to use formula as we did with our 2nd child (due to a medical issue) there is no reason to go with name brand formula. We used store brand formula, since it was half the cost of regular formula.