Budget Benefits of Breastfeeding

New mothers are considering a relatively new factor in the bottle versus breast debate — the economy. In fact, 88 percent of new moms are weighing the budget benefits of breastfeeding right alongside the health benefits, a recent survey shows.

“My husband figures we have saved around $1,200 in the past year using breast milk rather than formula,” says Cristin Diekmann, a new mother from California. “Plus, the health benefits of breast milk so outweigh formula that for me it seemed wrong to not give my child the best start possible.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months, and then continue to be nursed at least for the first year. While many moms are aware of the health benefits, they may not realize breastfeeding can cut a significant amount of money from their monthly budget.

With the recession making it necessary for most families to cut expenses, breastfeeding can be a healthful way to keep feeding costs down for the newest member of the family.

Depending on the cost of formula, a newborn baby can consume from $43.86 to $194.22 in formula just in the first month, according to Kelly Mom, a popular online breastfeeding resource. By six months, the cost for formula can add up to be $375.34 to $1,662.22. Over one year, a family with one infant could save between $714.42 to $3,163.86 by feeding breast milk rather than incurring the cost of formula. And, in the long run, breastfeeding also helps save on health care costs, as breastfed infants typically need fewer health care visits, prescriptions and hospitalizations.

And while breastfeeding may pose some challenges for working moms, those surveyed agreed that even with the investment in a high-tech, high-quality breast pump, the health and cost benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh any challenges.

“When doing the math regarding formula cost I realized that I could buy a pump for less than the cost of four months worth of formula,” says Nebraska mom Cassidy Peterson. “I have nursed two boys for a total of 30 months with just the same Medela pump. It was very economical for my family. I work full time and suffer from low milk supply. With pumping, my children never had to have formula and we were able to get by with the same pump for both boys. I hope to have another baby and plan to use the pump again.”

“Breastfeeding truly does pay off for moms and babies both in health benefits and cost savings,” says Irene Zoppi, a registered nurse, licensed lactation consultant and clinical education specialist with Medela, Inc. “For moms purchasing a breast pump to aid in providing breast milk to their child, the initial investment may cause a bit of sticker shock. However, when compared to the annual expense of formula, the cost is justified. In addition, there are also rental options through the Breastfeeding National Network for those who do not wish to incur that initial investment.”

To learn more about the cost and health benefits of breastfeeding, visit www.medela.com.