The REAL Cost of Breastfeeding

In the article “Breast vs. Formula: The Financial Bottom Line” by Anne Bulin, the truth behind the REAL cost of breastfeeding is exposed. She draws up two charts, one that shows the cost of everything she had to buy to successfully and comfortably breastfeed her baby for 8 months and the other the cost of 8 months worth of formula.

Cost of breastfeeding my infant for 8 months
Quantity Item Price Total
1 Medela Breastpump $199.00 $199.00
1 Avent Manual Pump $29.99 $29.99
1 Boppy Pillow $19.99 $19.99
5 Nursing Bras $29.20 $146.00
5 Nursing Tops $24.00 (avg) $119.97
1 Lansinoh lanolin ointment $4.99 $4.99
1 MilkMate storage system $10.00 $10.00
2 Platex nurses w/nipples $4.99 $9.98
1 Disposable bottle liners (100) $3.99 $3.99
Total $543.91


Estimated cost of formula-feeding my infant for 8 months
Quantity Item Price Total
23[1] Enfamil 2lb powder $22.99 $506.00
6 Platex nurses w/nipples $4.99 $29.94
14 Disposable bottle liners (100) $3.99 $55.86
Total $591.80

However, she does point out that not ALL of the items she purchased may be necessary for everyone. For example, a woman who did not have to work may not require the $200 breast pump. She also points out that the cost could be even higher if a bottle warmer and sterilizer were purchased(used to feed baby pumped milk). She is not trying to discourage breastfeeding though, and states that her breastfed baby has yet to be sick and recognizes how breast milk can lower the chance on some infections…which can also save money.
I totally agree with Bulin’s point in this article. Breastfeeding is always advertised as being cheap and a money saver, but I also know from experience that it’s not. I have bought everything on her breastfeeding list and THEN some. Since we are not cavewomen any more, items such as the breast pump and bottles are necessary if the woman ever needs or wants to be away from her baby for more than three hours. Nursing bras and tops are also a necessity if you don’t want to undress every time you need to feed your baby. I am glad that someone took the time to add up the cost and write this article because even though I have bought this stuff, I didn’t realize it was this close to the price of formula.
Bulin, Anne. "Breast vs Formula: The Financial Bottom Line." breastfeeding.com. Breastfeeding.com, Inc, 2010. Web. 13 Apr 2010.
http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/financial.html