Can you use a generic formula? We use Up&Up (Target’s generic) or Parents’ Choice (Walmart generic). A large tub costs about $35 and lasts us 8-10 days, so roughly $150 a month. It’s significantly cheaper than name-brand formulas.
@Nile
Ugh, when I had my first child in 2022, that large tub at Target was $19.99. That’s what keeps me pumping and breastfeeding for this baby. I can’t believe it has almost doubled in just two years.
I’ve spent a ton on pumping supplies. I could have probably gotten 5-10 cans of formula with what I’ve spent on pumping and breastfeeding gear! 
Similac and Enfamil both have rewards programs; I rarely buy formula without a coupon. It’s still pricey, though. Your pediatrician may have some coupons. Pumping was ruining my mental health, so I switched to formula, and I’m glad I did.
If your baby has no allergies, consider generic formulas like Costco’s, which is similar to Similac 360. It’s around 19 cents an ounce—very affordable. Best of luck, no matter what you decide! It’s not easy!
@Harmon
So glad to hear Costco’s is close to Similac 360!
Reagan said:
@Harmon
So glad to hear Costco’s is close to Similac 360!
Yes! I had hoped to use it, but my son has CMPA, so we are stuck with Alimentum. But I have two tubs in my cabinet; hopefully, he’ll grow out of it before he’s off formula! 
@Harmon
Generics are a great option. One advantage is that if one store is out of stock, you can get it at another. The savings are substantial with no drop in quality.
The formula I used had a cost difference of 77 cents/oz versus $1.25/oz at its best price. With coupons and discounts, you can often find even cheaper alternatives.
@Harmon
This! I bought at Costco with a $30 Similac coupon. Many are available at pediatrician offices or local marketplace discounts.
@Harmon
Do you use coupon apps? We haven’t gotten many lately, and a friend who could use them isn’t receiving any. I’d love to hear your tips!
Daryl said:
@Harmon
Do you use coupon apps? We haven’t gotten many lately, and a friend who could use them isn’t receiving any. I’d love to hear your tips!
I can’t speak for Enfamil since I only use Similac, but I recommend scanning lids in stores for bonuses. I email them sometimes for more coupons, and they often send them! Does your friend use Enfamil? I have a few coupons I don’t need that I could send her.
I felt the same way; I pushed through pumping until I hit my breaking point and switched to formula. I’m glad I did. It’s expensive, but you figure out how to manage costs. To me, spending $30 a week on formula is totally worth the reduced stress, better sleep, and increased energy. Plus, it gives me my body back!
@Landyn
You’re right! As a mom, I’ll find a way. This would definitely be better for my mental wellbeing.
If you choose generics, it can still be pretty affordable.
Also, you can enlist family and friends to sign up for rewards programs with Similac or Enfamil to utilize coupons, and samples are often available from pediatricians.
Same here! I feel so frustrated when my 30 minutes of quiet time is wasted on pumping, but I had to do it to save money.
I used Target’s generic version of Similac 360. I think by 9 months we were using about 2 cans a month at $70. At $2.25 a day, it was worth it. I didn’t miss the money at all. It was the only formula she had, but there are definitely cheaper options.
I really hate the mental toll of pumping and breastfeeding. It’s expected of us when the baby is born but is so draining. Nature can be cruel! I barely produce enough milk for one daily bottle. I’m considering quitting altogether. We’ve always combo-fed and are using Kirkland formula. I enjoy prepping his bottles and sterilizing the water; it feels like I’m back in a chemistry lab! Haha.
Therapy would likely cost more, right? No shame in looking for a cheaper formula option!
We EFF, and we use about a large can a week, roughly $35/week. My son drinks 4-6oz bottles, totaling around 28 oz/day. As mentioned, I’ve never bought formula without a coupon. Our church has many moms with kids my age who also share coupons, which has been such a blessing. To me, the only downside of EFF is the cost. Cleaning bottles can be a hassle, but it doesn’t bother me too much.
Initially, I intended to EBF, but my milk didn’t come in quickly enough, and he lost weight at his 2-day-old pediatrician appointment. I thought he was latching well, and the nurses assured me he was; it shattered my confidence. I was pumping until two weeks ago, but I realized that I was only getting an ounce per pump. It took me all day to make one bottle. While I should pump every two hours, it felt pointless when my baby was sleeping for 4-hour stretches.
There are costs associated with formula feeding. But on a positive note, I’ve been thinking about the expense of breastfeeding. It pressures you to solely sustain your baby’s life after carrying them for 10 months. You get the praise when they grow, but any setbacks in their weight gain feel like failures. It’s physically demanding; you need to eat and drink more, which can be hard to manage. Practically, you spend a lot of time attached to your baby, which can be great yet also a huge task you can’t delegate. If you go out, it’s like clockwork—you need to return when the baby is due for a feed. There’s a cost on both ends. If I were EBF, I imagine my postpartum journey would have been drastically different. Formula feeding has granted me autonomy, which I deeply feared losing as a new parent. My husband and I are interchangeable in fulfilling our parenting roles.
Aside from societal pressures, it’s tempting to think exclusively breastfeeding is best. However, your baby also needs a mother who feels strong, stable, and confident. Does the difference between EBF and EFF outweigh the difference in the parent you’d become if you only formula fed?
It looks like other comments guide you, but I want to emphasize—you can’t put a price on your mental health. Your baby needs you to be well more than they need breast milk. Formula may be costly, but it’s worth it to keep your sanity intact. Enfamil has a rewards program that sends out coupons regularly too!
I’m in the same boat—pumping and supplementing. Late-night feeds are the worst; I feed, change, and then pump, and it takes two hours every night. I wish I could go right to sleep afterward, but I’m always up for another hour or so. It’s exhausting. I can’t wait until he starts eating solid foods so I can get a break. My supply is only about 3-4oz per pump, and he eats 3-4oz per feed, so I feel like I’ll eventually rely mostly on formula, which is already making me sad.
Pumping is incredibly exhausting overall. My body works so hard to produce this milk, and I have to stay hydrated constantly. Sleep deprivation affects supply. I genuinely don’t understand how women exclusively breastfeed. My baby had a strong appetite and didn’t fit newborn sizes from day one—he’s been drinking 4oz since week one, and I can’t imagine if I were breastfeeding.