I breastfed for four months then decided to slow down for my mental health. I started combo feeding, which helped manage formula usage and avoided nonstop pumping. I enjoyed that approach and would’ve continued. Now we’re exclusively formula feeding, and yes, it’s so expensive but worth it to me. I prioritize making sure my baby is fed before considering my own needs.
Beyond the mental toll, consider the cost of pump parts, extra food, and your time. Don’t feel guilty if you decide to stop pumping. You’re a great mom, regardless of how you feed your baby.
I wanted to pump/breastfeed to save money but only managed one day at home. I was nervous about the costs; trying to calculate how long each can lasts has been stressful since family has sent us a lot. We checked Sam’s Club for formula and found their brand is $20 cheaper and more ounces. I still have leftover brand name Enfamil, but I’m going to try the off-brand and see how long it lasts. Right now we use about a 20oz can every 4-7 days, but it seems like we’re wasting a lot as she eats more frequently now.
It’s tough, but your sanity matters too.
Edit: My baby drinks 3-4oz bottles every 3-4 hours. We dropped to 3oz but she’s back to wanting 4oz at feedings.
Curious what your formula cost is? I’m about to buy 8 boxes of Hipp for around $250, which should last nearly two months. We combo-feed, but SO’s supply isn’t enough, so it’s about 90% formula and 10% breastfed.
Switching to formula actually saved us money. We use Costco’s generic formula which lasts about 10 days for a $30 can. I couldn’t manage enough calories while pumping without buying ready-made stuff. Now that I’m not pumping constantly, I have the time and mental energy to cook using cheaper ingredients.
After pumping for six weeks, I would pay anything to get my sanity back!
I’m exclusively pumping and got a bottle holder neck pillow to help me feed my baby while I pump. It saves me time, and I think I’d go crazy without it!
I started breastfeeding but didn’t have much supply, so we’re exclusively formula feeding now, which is about $400 a month. It’s a lot, but I wouldn’t trade it for breastfeeding. This way, I don’t worry about leaving the baby with someone while my husband and I go out, and he gets up during weekend nights, which is immensely helpful for my mental health.
I made sacrifices for my wife’s mental health and I’d do it again.
Call your pediatrician’s office and ask for some samples. They often have extras!
I can relate to the costs—our baby had MSPI, and exclusive formula would have been super expensive. That’s part of why I went dairy-free. I wasn’t sure how to wean and felt I had to decide immediately how I’d feed her after diagnosis. But pumping was tough, especially when my husband worked. My thoughts were consumed by pumping schedules and ensuring I was eating and drinking enough. My sleep got disrupted by night pumping. Eventually, at around 16 weeks, I decided I didn’t want to spend my maternity leave focused on pumping, so I weaned. I had a freezer stash that lasted an additional six weeks.
Formula feeding comes with monetary costs, but I’ve recently been considering breastfeeding costs too. It’s a significant emotional commitment for parents. For every pickup in their weight, you get praise, but any difficulties are taken to heart. It demands a lot of physical energy; you must maintain your diet and hydration to sustain supplies, which can already be a challenge. You end up with less freedom, sidetracked by feeding schedules. My postpartum journey would have drastically differed had I been EBF. Formula feeding gave me the independence I was wary of losing as a new parent. My husband and I share parenting responsibilities equally.
Despite societal pressures, I felt compelled to try EBF for my baby’s benefit. But, it’s crucial for your baby to have a mother who’s happy and confident. Is the difference between EBF and EFF more significant than how you would feel as a parent relying solely on formula?
I can pump effortlessly, yet it’s still incredibly hard. If it were particularly challenging to maintain production, I might have quit already, and I’m only 7 weeks in. The biggest lesson I’ve learned from breastfeeding is how tough it truly is; I wouldn’t judge anyone’s decision.
Check out those buy nothing and free stuff groups. We got a lot of formula for free. It’s worth keeping an eye out.
I can relate! I had to give my little one formula for two weeks to help with tummy issues and was shocked by how pricey hypoallergenic formula was. Pumping has become a burden (I’m now 5 months in), and while formula is costly, I have to consider how it expires 2 hours after opening, which adds pressure because my little one eats more frequently than I’d like!
Why don’t you breastfeed your child directly? It’s much easier than dealing with pumping and bottles!
Corey said:
Why don’t you breastfeed your child directly? It’s much easier than dealing with pumping and bottles!
Are you suggesting moms enjoy pumping for fun rather than necessity?
Corey said:
Why don’t you breastfeed your child directly? It’s much easier than dealing with pumping and bottles!
Insinuating she earns too much for WIC implies she has a job—making it impossible to breastfeed around the clock.
Corey said:
Why don’t you breastfeed your child directly? It’s much easier than dealing with pumping and bottles!
There are various reasons. I work 12-hour shifts, and my baby had a tongue tie. Even after correction, she couldn’t latch properly, even after meeting with a lactation consultant. Not every mother can nurse.
Corey said:
Why don’t you breastfeed your child directly? It’s much easier than dealing with pumping and bottles!
Ew. How ignorant. Any reason for a mother choosing not to nurse is valid. Some simply don’t want to, and that’s fine. Others genuinely can’t, and comments like these only exacerbate their feelings.
Corey said:
Why don’t you breastfeed your child directly? It’s much easier than dealing with pumping and bottles!
That’s incredibly insensitive. Not every mother can nurse.