Tips to save on formula

[TheSecondLaw]

I'm not a big couponer for groceries but I definitely coupon for formula because they coupons are higher in value and I usually stock up when I make a purchase. I had hoped to exclusively breastfeed my baby but I was unable get my supply up enough to meet his needs. Since I found myself using formula to supplement I have found some tricks to getting it and a lower price. I use Similac but the tips would work for other brands as well. Do you have any tips for sharing on formula?

I have yet to find anywhere where formula goes on sale except for Target. Every couple of weeks they have been running a sale where you get target gift cards if you buy a certain number of formula canisters or a certain dollar amount of baby supplies (example $10 gift card wyb 3 canisters or $25 gift card wyb $100 of formula or diapers in the recent past) I notice that the store brand is sometimes on "sale" as well as the name brands of formula.

Target also offers a registry completion discount (15%). You can add items to the registry after baby is born. You bet your bottom I added formula to the registry once I realized we would be using it for the long haul. This coupon can stack with other coupons and discounts.

If you have a preferred brand or brands join the rewards program and they will mail you occasional coupons or rebate checks. Rebate checks are nice because they can stack with manufacturers coupons since it is a rebate, not a coupon.

Other coupons are out there in the $2-3 dollar per canister range. Check cartwheel, target mobile coupons, printables on target's website and online coupon databases. Target coupons can stack with manufacturers coupons. It is worth  a few  minutes to look around if you know you are going to stock up.

[Ceridwen]

I have no specific tips for saving money (sounds like you have lots of great ideas), but I just wanted to add: have you considered switching to generic formula?

DS was on Enfamil because he was an (unexpected) NICU baby and we were so shell-shocked from his health complications and then my inability to exclusively breastfeed, we just took what the hospital gave us and continued with Enfamil because he did well on it.

For DD, I did a lot of research on generic formulas and found that they are pretty much identical to the big name brands, but a fraction of the price.  DD was on Target brand formula (which I believe is the generic of Similac), and then I stocked up on tons of that as Target started closing in Canada (waaaaah, I'm still not over it!).  When that supply ran out, she was on President's Choice brand, which is a Canadian local generic brand.

So that's my $0.02.  Consider generic.

[justajane]

Costco Kirkland brand is by far the cheapest. Sam's Member's Mark is the second cheapest. I imagine Up and Up Target is also pretty cheap compared to Similac or Emfamil. Even with sales and coupons, you will never be able to beat the price of bulk generic. And formula is so highly regulated for safety that there is zero chance that they aren't the same quality as the name brands.

[CheapskateWife]

We also used the Walmart Store brand when my youngest started weaning, and he turned out brilliant. (good genes...not because of the formula)

Don't be afraid of the generic stuff...its just as good and very friendly on the budget!

[LiveLean]

+1 on Costco Kirkland.

We're a decade removed from formula, but that was a godsend.

[jacksonvasey]

We did the same thing with Target, just trying to time purchases with their sales. 
my grandmother signed up with similac strong moms when DW got pregnant, and we did too, so they sent grandma a $20 can of formula, us, too.  And sent free bottles a $5 coupons, periodically.  That made a big difference, plus using the target debit card, 5% is 5%.

That said, it felt damn good at DD's 1 year physical when the doc said to change over to whole milk.

[Alex321]

We used the Target brand with three kids. That's like an automatic 50% coupon right there for what is objectively the exact same thing. Buying the name brands means you're just back-paying for all those "free" samples they hand out to the new, stressed-out, and nervous parents.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Yep, Costco brand all the way. I think they also have good deals on name brands if you have a very sensitive baby. I also used Parent's Choice for my first baby, pre-Costco.

IME the Parent's Choice (Walmart) is a little hard to dissolve and the Kirkland is kind of weirdly foamy--I hear Target brand is less of both those things, but not as cheap--but my kids didn't mind! Sucked that stuff right down and finally started gaining weight.

People talk about how emotional it is to wean your kids from breastfeeding--for me, it was a relief to move on from something that was making us unhappy. But I still miss snuggling Little Brother in the rocking chair, watching Jeopardy! and giving him his bottle. Sigh.

[serpentstooth]

We use Costco brand usually. But for even less than Cosco right now, jet.com is offering Earth's Best Organic Baby Formula for $11.80/can, 20% off with code SURPRISE20. I bought the maximum ten cans allowed. I also ask for free samples every time I'm at the pediatrician and take free baby formula offered on the community list serve. I've also bought cheap formula from people who overbought off the same email list. I've gotten some formula for free as a new costumer offer from Yerdle.com too. I'm lucky, because my daughter eats everything.

[serpentstooth]

Yep, Costco brand all the way. I think they also have good deals on name brands if you have a very sensitive baby. I also used Parent's Choice for my first baby, pre-Costco.

IME the Parent's Choice (Walmart) is a little hard to dissolve and the Kirkland is kind of weirdly foamy--I hear Target brand is less of both those things, but not as cheap--but my kids didn't mind! Sucked that stuff right down and finally started gaining weight.

People talk about how emotional it is to wean your kids from breastfeeding--for me, it was a relief to move on from something that was making us unhappy. But I still miss snuggling Little Brother in the rocking chair, watching Jeopardy! and giving him his bottle. Sigh.

I had such a hideous experience attempting to nurse tiny, immature, absolutely miserable Babytooth that I was thrilled when my best friend gently suggested that I give it up. But giving a bottle to Babytooth as she snuggles to sleep? Best feeling ever.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Yep, Costco brand all the way. I think they also have good deals on name brands if you have a very sensitive baby. I also used Parent's Choice for my first baby, pre-Costco.

IME the Parent's Choice (Walmart) is a little hard to dissolve and the Kirkland is kind of weirdly foamy--I hear Target brand is less of both those things, but not as cheap--but my kids didn't mind! Sucked that stuff right down and finally started gaining weight.

People talk about how emotional it is to wean your kids from breastfeeding--for me, it was a relief to move on from something that was making us unhappy. But I still miss snuggling Little Brother in the rocking chair, watching Jeopardy! and giving him his bottle. Sigh.

I had such a hideous experience attempting to nurse tiny, immature, absolutely miserable Babytooth that I was thrilled when my best friend gently suggested that I give it up. But giving a bottle to Babytooth as she snuggles to sleep? Best feeling ever.

Yes! I did well at first, not so much later for a variety of medical, hormonal, and logistical reasons. My sister had breastfed her older two kids for twenty months each (my mom and mother-in-law also both breastfed), but then with baby #3, things were different and she had started him on formula (he was about 5 months older than Big Brother). It's like that gave me permission, when the time came, to give up.

Like anything else, though, you have to choose your moment and your wording carefully--if someone really wants breastfeeding to work, they might find, "you could just quit" to be supremely unhelpful :-).

[startingsmall]

If you join thebump.com , there is a whole community of ladies who trade formula coupons. If you sign up for coupons from all three of the brand-name companies, you can go online and trade the ones you don't use for the brand you need. That was a huge help for us!!

[Sailor Sam]

If you know which store is reliably cheaper, you could get discounted gift cards. It's a pretty enjoyable feeling to use discounted gift cards with coupons, too. I like giftcardgranny.com. The Target cards generally 6.5% discount, and you can buy in bulk.

[TheSecondLaw]

I'm surprised to see how many folks are using generic. I don't know anyone in real life who uses generic but the positive reviews here have me convinced to try it. We don't have a Costco membership but now I'm considering asking for one for Christmas.

Re breastfeeding being terribly difficult: YES! For some ladies/babies it is! I am so happy no one made a snarky comment about breastfeeding being cheaper. For some of us it is easy ,for others it simply isn't possible. When my OB shared that she did everything she could and still had to supplement with her first baby and that formula is perfectly acceptable it made me feel so much better!

[Ceridwen]

I'm surprised to see how many folks are using generic. I don't know anyone in real life who uses generic but the positive reviews here have me convinced to try it. We don't have a Costco membership but now I'm considering asking for one for Christmas.

Re breastfeeding being terribly difficult: YES! For some ladies/babies it is! I am so happy no one made a snarky comment about breastfeeding being cheaper. For some of us it is easy ,for others it simply isn't possible. When my OB shared that she did everything she could and still had to supplement with her first baby and that formula is perfectly acceptable it made me feel so much better!

Glad to hear you're going to consider generic.

I was on domperidone to try to boost my supply (this is apparently a very common thing in Canada but not the US - it's a drug whose unintended side effect is increased lactation).  Anyway, when my GP found out I was on domperidone (prescribed by a lactation consultant/MD) he was FURIOUS.  He could not believe that I was taking a drug I did not need just for the side effect.  He told me "breast milk is overrated", and at the time I was kind of upset but then years later I was like damn, you're so right.

If you're having any formula related guilt or apprehension, I highly recommend you check out www.fearlessforumulafeeder.com

[Jesstache]

I'll join the others in my agreement to Costco formula being the cheapest, even when factoring in coupons.  It might even pay off to get the executive membership to get the 2% cash back if you buy a lot of other groceries/diapers there as well.  My second choice for cheap generic was target formula.  It seemed to sometimes be cheaper than Costco with my first when you'd factor in promotions but by the time my second came around the cans seemed to have shrunk in size some (but still WAY cheaper than brand name). 

[Gone Fishing]

Hate to admit it but the first thought that went through my head was, "Add more water?", not that I would ever do such a thing!

[NextTime]

Add more water, and then you will just be feeding them more often. 

[justajane]

I'll join the others in my agreement to Costco formula being the cheapest, even when factoring in coupons.  It might even pay off to get the executive membership to get the 2% cash back if you buy a lot of other groceries/diapers there as well.  My second choice for cheap generic was target formula.  It seemed to sometimes be cheaper than Costco with my first when you'd factor in promotions but by the time my second came around the cans seemed to have shrunk in size some (but still WAY cheaper than brand name).

We buy a lot of stuff at Costco and have still been unable to exceed the executive membership in rewards. We keep on doing it because #1 they refund the difference if you don't make back the extra amount and #2 on the off chance that one year we make a larger purchase at Costco like a computer or an appliance.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Add more water, and then you will just be feeding them more often.

It's dangerous for little babies. They should never have water beyond what's on the formula package (none at all for little breastfed babies. By a similar token, I've heard of people mixing formula powder into expressed breastmilk to keep baby's tummy full longer, and that is SUPER dangerous because the baby can get dehydrated.

[tofuchampion]

My daughter has done really well with the Target brand formula. We tried Costco, but it gave her really bad diarrhea, which led to the diaper rash from hell, so back to Target! Too bad, because Costco was so damn cheap.

We got a bunch last month when they had the "spend $100, get $25 gift card" promo, and should be set till she turns 1 next month and transitions to cow's milk. Using that kind of promo, plus the Cartwheel app, definitely saved us some money.

She's still partially breastfed, too. Keep in mind that breastfeeding doesn't have to be all or nothing, if you're struggling. Both my kids started out 100% breastfed, then with my son, not being able to pump at work for a while made me lose most of my supply, and with my daughter, I intentionally cut down because she would NOT stop pinching and biting me while feeding. So if you can and want to keep breastfeeding part time, that can save you a little cash. :)

[Alex321]

I'm surprised to see how many folks are using generic. I don't know anyone in real life who uses generic but the positive reviews here have me convinced to try it.

Just keep in mind that anything sold as formula in the United States is extremely, heavily regulated to have exactly what it needs to have in the exact quantities. So it's fine. Save the money.

--signed, of course, three healthy kids who had Target formula, and I'm on this blog so that means we have tons and tons of extra money and could have bought any brand we wanted...

[Ceridwen]

NEVER water down the formula.  NO.

[mm1970]

I'm surprised to see how many folks are using generic. I don't know anyone in real life who uses generic but the positive reviews here have me convinced to try it. We don't have a Costco membership but now I'm considering asking for one for Christmas.

Re breastfeeding being terribly difficult: YES! For some ladies/babies it is! I am so happy no one made a snarky comment about breastfeeding being cheaper. For some of us it is easy ,for others it simply isn't possible. When my OB shared that she did everything she could and still had to supplement with her first baby and that formula is perfectly acceptable it made me feel so much better!

Breastfeeding = totally cheaper, true.  But man, not easy.  I thought #2 would be easier because I knew what I was doing right?  Um. No.  I nursed #1 for 13.5 months, no formula.  With #2, when he was 8.5 months - after 6 or so straight weeks of plugged ducts, and a call to the doctor on a Friday morning (nobody could see me until MONDAY), I just said screw it.  Sunday I sent my  husband for formula.  I stopped pumping that day.

He weaned himself 6 weeks later.

Score #1 for the Costco brand formula.  I did use Enfamil when traveling- the single serving packets were great for that.  But we bought the big Costco buckets otherwise.

[sol]

Not that I necessarily condone this option, but there is a significant grey market for formula on places like craigslist.

Some government subsidy programs offer cheap or even free formula to poor families, and some of those families would rather have cash to pay their rent than extra free formula, so they resell it online at amazingly discounted prices.  The ethics of this little piece of capitalism are debatable, but the market doth provide heavily discounted formula (and diapers) for those who really want to go there.

[serpentstooth]

Not that I necessarily condone this option, but there is a significant grey market for formula on places like craigslist.

Some government subsidy programs offer cheap or even free formula to poor families, and some of those families would rather have cash to pay their rent than extra free formula, so they resell it online at amazingly discounted prices.  The ethics of this little piece of capitalism are debatable, but the market doth provide heavily discounted formula (and diapers) for those who really want to go there.

Oddly in NYC, formula is not that discounted on Craigslist. I do have good luck on the community list serve. Given the apartment buildings I'm picking up formula from, I do believe these folks when they say these are extra cans that their kid outgrew or that didn't agree with their child. It turns out some people who rather just sell them off at a discount than bother with a return.

[Gone Fishing]

Not that I necessarily condone this option, but there is a significant grey market for formula on places like craigslist.

Some government subsidy programs offer cheap or even free formula to poor families, and some of those families would rather have cash to pay their rent than extra free formula, so they resell it online at amazingly discounted prices.  The ethics of this little piece of capitalism are debatable, but the market doth provide heavily discounted formula (and diapers) for those who really want to go there.

Oddly in NYC, formula is not that discounted on Craigslist. I do have good luck on the community list serve. Given the apartment buildings I'm picking up formula from, I do believe these folks when they say these are extra cans that their kid outgrew or that didn't agree with their child. It turns out some people who rather just sell them off at a discount than bother with a return.

We got a large free sample in the mail that we didn't need.  We tried to give it away on craigslist and the posting was flagged and removed.  I simply assumed it was against craigslist rules and moved on but maybe it is not?