https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 09 Aug 2026 21:39:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option/page/2#post-1063257 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 18:53:18 +0000 immabeetoo 1063257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I agree that "that breastfeeding works best when baby leads the way" but not every mom has the choice to stay at home and feed on demand (and even if she has the choice, the inclination). So I don't think it's fair to say a pump, nursing bras, etc. aren't necessary expenses since I think they are for most WOHMs.</p> <p>I agree that it's a case by case thing. For us, I haven't tracked but I bought a pump, nursing pads, milk storage bags, lanolin, soothies, nursing tanks, and nursing bras. A set of the tanks and bras were a waste of money (poor quality) so I had to buy more. I'm not choosing to BF solely to save money and hope to be able to use everything again with LO#2 - but still, it adds up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option/page/2#post-1063248 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 18:45:31 +0000 Bao 1063248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree it's not cheaper for everyone! In our case though, we got very lucky! My only expense was nursing pads, and bras. I got a pump bit could have done with a cheaper one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option/page/2#post-1063194 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 18:21:56 +0000 heartonastring 1063194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: @Mrs. Pen: WAPF has some good recipes for homemade formula using raw cow's milk or goat milk as the base. That's what I had planned to use (with goat's milk) if BFing hadn't worked out for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option/page/2#post-1063004 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:37:14 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1063004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Navy_Mommy: Totally agree! Don't freak out! This is only the case for *some* of us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option/page/2#post-1062952 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:17:43 +0000 Navy_Mommy 1062952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just want to chime in for anyone who hasn't had a baby yet and is freaking out... this was not our experience at all. I bought a few nursing bras (but would have needed new bras anyway since my boobs tripled in size during pregnancy), two bottles, and breast pads for the first few months. I got a manual pump from the hospital and never wore "nursing clothes." I never needed extra supplements and the tube of lanolin the hospital sent me home with was MORE than enough. For us breastfeeding was free in thesense that I never had to budget for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option/page/2#post-1062937 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:12:49 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1062937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: oh very interesting! I successfully BF but I would have been interested in something like that if I wasn't able to... there is a goat farm about 45 minutes away from me and they raise their goats naturally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1062892 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:54:00 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1062892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: Yeah, I would be the same way with a FTM who really doesn't know how it's going to all work out. However, with my first pregnancy, I did have concerns (because I'd never seen my mom manage a successful nursing relationship due to low supply) and no one listened to me when I asked what I could do to get ready and be as successful as I could be, I just got blown off and told to think positive. And then just to keep trying after the birth, with no other real help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061875 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 10:40:18 +0000 blackbird 1061875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. pen--the formula concoction he suggested was INSANELY EXPENSIVE. But i do have a recipe if anyone is interested. $130 for the powders and I couldn't determine how long it would last (but it was only 20 oz of powder, so i can't imagine very long!). Plus the transport of goats milk was a logistical issue for me (you would have to keep it cold, right?) plus I don't even know where to get it hormone-free, etc etc. And i'm just generally uncomfortable with the idea of making my own formula unless there were serious allergy issues that store bought formula was not helping. Since E drinks store bought no problem, no gas, no etc, it felt too...adventurous, I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061654 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:55:07 +0000 runsyellowlites 1061654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: We looked into a Goats milk route if bf'ing didn't work for us too. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061646 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:52:25 +0000 Boheme 1061646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hear you. We have spent a small fortune at the pediatric ENT, LC, with a private in-home LC, a pump, bottles, so on and so forth. We didn't go crazy on a bunch of accoutrements either. Just support and supplies necessary to get my son to nurse successfully. The end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061642 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:52:03 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1061642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: I don't think most doctors are on board with the idea, but many homeopathic/alternative medicine/chiropractors are more advocates of it. I follow a lot of healthy/natural living blogs and constantly see it encouraged, however many say their doctors don't/won't support it and I read one account where one doctor was so enraged about it he calld CPS on the mom for not properly nourishing her child :( made me so sad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061630 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:47:41 +0000 Pink Champagne 1061630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: thanks for explaining. I didn't want you to worry so much about something if it hasn't happened yet. I didn't realize you had already had a diagnosis. I hope that maybe third time is the charm for you. And I applaud your commitment :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061621 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:45:04 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1061621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@googly-eyes: I know! we don't use FF/BF anymore as LO is 18 months but it's been a significant jump in our monthly grocery bill - almost an extra $200/month since having him! </p> <p>I still find BF to be cheaper, in general. Obviously in your case and others who need supplementation, etc it does cost more. But for myself personally it cost less than $100 to BF for 16 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061618 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:44:17 +0000 blackbird 1061618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my chiropractor totally suggested goat's milk (hormone free, yadda yadda, like you probably get on your farm) with some vitamin powder supplements, etc, when he found out i was giving my LO "nasty formula"....and my dr *freaked out* about the idea :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061612 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:42:31 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1061612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Yeah, like I said, this is *my* thing, I supplement the goats milk with vitamins, etc., but it's not for everyone or something a lot of people feel comfortable with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061574 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:34:09 +0000 Silva 1061574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: not to thread jack, but just in case others are thinking about goat milk it would be best to talk to your doctor. There are some risks associated with its use as sole nutrition for under one <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/4/e973.full" rel="nofollow">http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/4/e973.full</a></p> <p>I'm sure that @FarmWifeGina: is on top of it, I just wanted to chime in case others were curious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061555 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:29:54 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1061555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: No, haven't had my baby yet, but this is my third attempt at breastfeeding and my first since I've learned about chronic low supply and Insufficient Glandular Tissue (of which I display many of the markers for). So far the only supplements I've bought this time around are for use during pregnancy, in an attempt to grow some more mammary tissue (puberty and pregnancy are when normal people grow mammary tissue). This isn't even counting the lactation supplements I want to have on hand after birth, just in case I need them because I live in the middle of nowhere and I don't want to wait for any potential helps to be delivered (this was a major stumbling block last time).<br /> The goat thing is my own thing that probably isn't very popular, but I prefer some kind of "living" milk to soy-laden formula, if I can't manage to make enough milk myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061502 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:17:27 +0000 Pink Champagne 1061502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wait, so you haven't had your baby yet? And you assume you'll need supplements? Lets not put the cart before the horse (goat?) here....<br /> My pump was covered by insurance. I bought one nursing bra. I bought two nursing tanks but quickly discovered it was easier to just lift my top up. We bought 3 bottles. So maybe $100 total spent, when you factor in bags for storage and a few other accessories. If you don't turn into a crazy person and buy a bunch of stuff you don't need, it's still wayyyyyyyy cheaper.</p> <p>PS- I wasn't aware that doctors recommended goat milk as a sub for breast milk or formula- that is really interesting! Maybe you could tell us more about that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061460 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:09:12 +0000 JerricaBenton 1061460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting. Definitely not my experience, I've been lucky to have a pretty easy go of it. I don't pump or use bottles, eat pretty much the same as I would if I weren't breastfeeding, and don't take any supplements. </p> <p>I have so much respect for women who face difficulties breastfeeding and still go to great lengths and spend money to breastfeed their child. I think a lot of you who have don't realize how awesome you are! So many of the women I know IRL who've had issues just quit right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061453 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:06:28 +0000 looch 1061453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, really nothing in this world is free, even if you don't pay for something directly, it doesn't mean the cost is 0. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061448 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:04:59 +0000 heartonastring 1061448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very true. I paid $200 for my pump and spend $45 for a three week supply of fenugreek and blessed thistle. I don't know how much formula costs, so I'm not sure how this stacks up, but it certainly isn't free for me to BF.</p> <p>ETA : I didn't even stop to consider the cost of my nursing bras, nursing tanks, nipple cream, breast pads, LC appointments, boppies and all the other nursing paraphernalia I purchased! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061445 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:03:24 +0000 runsyellowlites 1061445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely not free here but still WAAAAAAY cheaper than it would've been for formula. We almost doubled our grocery bill a month so <b>I</b> could eat dairy, soy, wheat, egg, &amp; nut free but the formula we would've needed is close to 60 bucks a can so adding that up our $250 increase a month was still pennies comparatively!</p> <p>The pump, disposable pads, nursing attire (which really was only a nursing bra), teas, etc weren't ever really <i>needed</i> so I don't count those in my cost </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061416 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 08:55:43 +0000 yin 1061416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first I was unable to breastfeed directly and became an exclusive pumper on day #2. I couldn't convince myself that there was a right time to stop pumping for my sanity because of the expense I put into breastfeeding and pumping. The cost of formula would have probably equaled the amount spent on pumping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061339 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 08:30:17 +0000 mediagirl 1061339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree. My pump, plus parts, plus extra parts when I forgot some at work, plus pumping bottles, plus formula to supplement. Probably all evened out in the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061336 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 08:29:31 +0000 JamieLee 1061336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a very timely post for me. My son is 3 weeks old and has only successfully nursed two or three times since birth. He just refuses to stay latched so I'm pumping and supplementing, but trying to find the time to pump 8 times a day while caring for a fussy baby is impossible, so my supply is suffering. I've spent money on lots of BF accessories, formula feeding accessories, LCs, and I'm going shopping today for the herbal supplements...which ones, I don't know. Whatever I can find in my small town. Add in the cost to my sanity and BF is definitely not free... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061320 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 08:22:58 +0000 blackbird 1061320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe it's free (NOW, with Obamacare) if you don't need supplements, your insurance buys your pump or you don't pump, and you don't buy nursing clothes...pretty rare, I'd say. </p> <p>I tallied up what I've spent FF in the past 5 months and so far it's about $400, including bottles....*shrug*. </p> <p>I spent a TON of money in the beginning on nursing pads and creams and bags to freeze milk in, etc, since I was an exclusive pumper. And because I got to a point where I was pumping SEVEN OUNCES a day, it wasn't worth it, and one of my big thoughts was, "ugh i spent all that money and it's not even getting used"....thank goodness the $400 pump was paid for by insurance, sheeeet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061295 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 08:04:30 +0000 mamimami 1061295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While breastfeeding is not FREE I actually get mad about the industry that has been built up around it because for many, many women, all those breastfeeding accoutrements are NOT necessary. </p> <p>While as a WOHM, I lived and died by my double-electric pump, I STILL have a bunch of potions and creams and whatnot that people gave me that I never needed. So it definitely goes both ways. I am absolutely certain that the pump, pumping bra and bags I have bought have been less expensive than it would have been to formula feed my two babes.</p> <p>So... all the stuff is nice to have if you need it, but there are also a lot of companies preying on us moms who feel insecure if we don't acquire absolutely every supply known to man! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061233 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 07:32:23 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1061233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.cookie: Yeah, as far as I know my other two babies didn't have any kind of latch issues, so I'm not really thinking about it being an issue for us, but I've heard so many horror stories about them that if it were to happen this time, I think I'd just cry, cry, cry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061229 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 07:29:54 +0000 mrs.cookie 1061229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: try not to worry ahead of time about latch - it's uncommon for it to be that bad!! My LOs anatomically have a hard time latching due to unusually high "bubble" domes in their hard palates. Add tongue ties (un diagnosed for my son) and supply issues and reflux and allergies and ... You get the picture. You absolutely can succeed with the right support/expert help. If anyone had known what the issue was with my LOs I think we could've fixed the latch massively much earlier. </p> <p>You'll be the best mama to your baby no matter how you end up feeding, just the fact that you're researching this and working out solutions tells me you're an amazing mom. Try not to stress too much - easier said than done I know! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-not-always-the-cheapest-option#post-1061216 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 07:25:23 +0000 Charm54 1061216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally agree - I had a breast reduction a few years ago so am expecting some supply issues. As a result I've spent $$ on preparing both for breast feeding and formula feeding (pump, nursing pads, nursing cream, boppy, bottles, drying rack, formula, microwave bottle cage...)</p> <p>..I'm trying to hold off on non-essentials (breast milk storage bags, more bottles and nipples, bottle warmer, etc) until I see what kind of feeding system works best for baby and me, but my LC made it sound like if I didn't have a double electric right from the start it could affect ability to BF long term. </p>