Formula Milk

renowen

Hi there

I was just wondering if anyone knows of any money saving ways to cut the cost of formula mlk?

My youngest is 10 weeks old and current breastfed but I would like to ween her soon. However it never fails to shock me how expensive formula milk is! (Probably because her milk has been free so far lol)

Im not entitled to Healthy Start vouchers as I get WTC (therefore I must have lots of money ) but is there any other way of saving money?

I do get slightly irked when I get vouchers through my door offering money of Follow on milk and not first milk - I realise this is due to the whole 'not allowed to advertise formula' issue but it really doesnt help people like me who have breastfed but not for the full 6 months! In fact I think its a bit irrisponsible as some parents could be feeding there under 6 month old follow on milk because its cheaper! But thats another thead lol

Im not expecting much joy - but if anyone does know of any ways to cut the cost ill be glad to hear them
Many Thanks

Molly41

Are you putting her on formula because you going back to work or are you just fed up of breastfeeding? You can express breast milk and store it/ freeze it if its convenience ready for someone else to feed it. They should make provision for you to express / store milk at work.

JBD

I think it's illegal to run special offers on formula. So if you choose/have to use it then you have to pay the full price, although shops do seem to vary slightly in prices so I would shop around a little.

ticklepenny_2

I found that Lidl did the cheapest Heinz First milk in our area. Although if you are able to express and store it would make it alot cheaper for you. I ended up mix feeding, so some feeds were formula and other were breastmilk.
Hope that helps.

fernliebee

Maybe you could start mixed feeding instead, ie express some milk or carry on feeding her once or twice a day, then give formula for other feeds. This would save you money on formula compared to if you were fully formula fed. Other than that you just have to pay the money for the milk, it is unfortunate (especially for people who have big problems/ can't breastfeed at all) but it is the way it is, one of the expenses of having a baby.

Glamazon

ticklepenny wrote: »

I found that Lidl did the cheapest Heinz First milk in our area. Although if you are able to express and store it would make it alot cheaper for you. I ended up mix feeding, so some feeds were formula and other were breastmilk.
Hope that helps.

I've got a feeling they are discontinuing the Heinz milk soon.

Tub of formula = £7-8
Child Benefit = £20

You get Child Benefit towards the cost of formula & nappies & stuff so it shouldn't be seen as an added expense as you get money to cover it. You've been saving that as you've been breastfeeding.

Babies will go through about a tub in 5-07 days until you start weaning, my boy is 7 months & now just has 3-4 bottles a day so a carton last over 2 weeks.

bylromarha

There was a thread about this a couple of months ago - hopefully the prices haven't fluctuated too wildly since then.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2262799&highlight=formula+money+saving

lauren_1

Is there a reason why you are wanting to wean your baby? work? wanting time away from baby?

You have bf'd for 10 weeks which is fantastic, you have saved so much by that already. would you consider mix feeding to start with or expressing your milk?

Many of the decent breast pumps could cancel out the savings of breastfeeding though, its a tough choice. I breastfed both of mine (i cant say i loved it because i didnt, i hated every minute of it, but did try bottles and found it too faffy especially at night, by the end of the day all i wanted to do was sleep and not wash umpteen bottles out/sterlise/remake bottles)

Persevere with the breastfeeding...just for a few more weeks but from today research the cost of tins, work out how many you baby would need then stash the money away and see if your budget can sustain it? if your happy to do it then you already have the money in lieu

pinkclouds

If cost is an issue and you need to wean because of a temporary reason (e.g. taking medication) then you could "pump and dump" your breastmilk until you are able to resume breastfeeding. That way you would only need to buy formula for a short period of time. You don't need to buy a breastpump - you can hire one or you can express by hand (it does get easier with practice).

The only other suggestion I can think of is to check the wholesale "cash and carry" retailers like Costco and see if they do anything cheaper than the regular supermarkets. They definitely stock nappies but not sure about milk.

Evansangel

We're using Aptamil for my 6week old.

She has 6 6oz bottles a day and a tub lasts us around 5-6 days.

Asda is cheapest at £8.47. But for Aptamil your looking at £8.40-£8.90.

They sell it in bulk at Bookers but it still doesn't work out any cheaper

I think Aptamil is the most expensive one though. But i chose it as SMA is yellowish and smells yeasty and made her sick. Also Aptamil is meant to be closest to Breast Milk i hear

nickyhutch

If you think formula is expensive, how are you going to manage when she's eating properly, needs new clothes/shoes, school trips etc etc etc?