Among the myriad financial burdens parents face when growing their families, misconceptions persist regarding the expenses associated with feeding infants.
If you have ever scanned a comment thread where a mother asserts that “breastfeeding is free” or only slightly costly, you might have felt like expressing frustration. This assertion is misleading; it overlooks the numerous economic and racial disparities in breastfeeding. Moreover, it fails to consider the challenges many breastfeeding parents encounter along the way.
We conducted an inquiry to determine, with clarity, whether breastfeeding or formula feeding incurs greater costs. The results may be surprising.
From the outset, it’s important to clarify that this is a judgement-free discussion; we aren’t debating whether formula or breastfeeding is superior—each family’s situation is distinct, and ultimately, the principle remains that the priority is to ensure the child is fed. Another undeniable fact: Raising a child is financially demanding, with many parents depending on multiple income sources merely to get by.
Dr. Laurie Jones, chief medical officer for Willow, supports this view. “Modern parenting has significant costs regardless of how you choose to feed your infant since most parents must return to work,” she notes. Often, this return happens merely weeks after a baby is born, complicating round-the-clock feeding duties.
“The common belief is that breastfeeding is less expensive; however, that holds true only if everything goes smoothly from the outset in a country with sufficient maternity leave,” she adds. Considering that the U.S. stands as the only affluent nation lacking guaranteed paid parental leave, even those who can exclusively breastfeed must balance feeding with a swift return to work.
Jones points to the various tools breastfeeding parents may need as contributing factors. These can include:
Nursing brasBreast pump and replacement or extra partsNursing-friendly apparelConsultations with a lactation expertNursing padsNipple cream/ointment and/or silverettesNursing pillowNipple shieldsMilk collectors and/or storage bagsHealthcare visit costs related to issues that may arise (such as mastitis or nipple thrush), as well as prescriptionsIncreased grocery bills to accommodate the higher caloric needs of the breastfeeding parent
While not every breastfeeding parent will require all these items, claiming that breastfeeding incurs no costs is a significant oversimplification, in any case.
On the other hand, infant formula can also be far from budget-friendly, particularly if you need to experiment with different types to find one suitable for your baby. Specialty formulas (like soy-based or hypoallergenic) tend to be even pricier—taking, for instance, a 13-ounce can of Enfamil’s infant formula at $4.97, which is $2 cheaper at Walmart than its soy-based alternative. Plus, when you factor in expenses related to bottles, sterilizers, warmers, and additional components, the total can add up quickly.
Research on this subject remains limited, but a recent 2023 study published in the Journal of Perinatology assessed the costs related to breastfeeding compared to a year’s supply of formula and supplementary items. The formula expenditure ranged from $760 to $2,280, while breastfeeding could potentially exceed $10,500 over the course of a year.
“The primary opportunity cost of breastfeeding is the parent’s time,” Jones explains. Caregiving roles are often undervalued—feeding parents typically receive little to no financial aid, dedicating numerous hours each day to pumping or breastfeeding. Furthermore, there’s time and effort involved in cleaning and maintaining equipment. Parents utilizing both methods will likely incur costs from each.
“Additionally, the societal expenses of formula feeding have been thoroughly examined, contributing to higher healthcare costs and health burdens for both infants and women,” Jones adds. “The Mother’s Milk Tool quantifies the worth of human milk produced by breastfeeding parents globally. An online calculator is also available to illustrate the national impact of suboptimal breastfeeding—where families intend to breastfeed but face hurdles necessitating formula use.
Regardless of the chosen method, infant feeding represents a significant financial strain, disproportionately affecting low-income and marginalized families in the U.S. Fortunately, Jones offers effective suggestions for reducing feeding-related expenses.
“Firstly, check your insurance benefits,” she advises. “According to the Affordable Care Act, certain lactation consultant services and breast pumps may be fully covered or have minimal out-of-pocket costs, which can often be paid for using FSA/HSA funds. It’s crucial to do thorough research as the insurance process can be intricate, ensuring you know what services and products are covered along with their reimbursement rates.”
“Also, consider opting for generic alternatives to expensive formula brands, which could save thousands,” she adds. “Purchasing large bottles and multiple bottle nipples with different opening levels may be unnecessary and can lead to infants consuming too quickly, interfering with their fullness cues. An intuitive-paced feeding of either expressed breast milk or formula will typically remain around the same volume from month 1 to month 6.”
Jones also highlights several no-cost resources available that can assist without further burdening your finances.
“Numerous free services and events are accessible for moms, such as breastfeeding peer support at local WIC offices, hospital breastfeeding support groups, and national and state breast-feeding hotlines and community gatherings,” she explains. “An organization like ‘Fourth Trimester Arizona‘ hosts events to support all families in their feeding choices.”
Lastly, Jones stresses, “never underestimate the power of online parenting groups,” noting, “Many members trade and sell items such as breastfeeding pillows and pump accessories. Just be sure that the items can be properly sterilized.”
Unfortunately, unless there are changes in state and federal policies designed to provide adequate support and savings to feeding parents, it remains impossible to entirely remove the costs associated with either formula or breastfeeding. New parents deserve far more, especially as inflation rises and wages stagnate across the nation. In a prosperous country like ours, no parent should have to make a choice between feeding their child and other necessities—a failure of policy that far too many face.
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