What do you do to decrease the costs of formula?

[happysmileylady]

My little guy is on Enfamil Gentlease and I sat today and calculated how much we are going to need to be buying each week. He's only been straight formula for the last 3 weeks or so, so we are just now settling into a routine that allowed me to predict costs somewhat.

We are looking at like $55 a week. *sigh* That's a lot. I am a heavy couponer, and know how to work the coupons and checks and such, it's just that it's hard to get a hold of enough of them to really make a dent.

What are some of the tips and tricks you use to bring the costs down?

[luvsviola]

Buy Costco brand. It's cheaper than name brand. Walmart brand is good too. The nutrition content is federally controlled so they all give the name nutrients.

[qsefthuko]

post an in search of for formula coupons.

[EmmaGM]

Have you applied for WIC?

[EmmaGM]

Originally Posted by RealMommyLife I breastfeed, its FREE.

Very helpful. Thank you for your insight.

[ofthemoonsglow]

You can buy formula checks on ebay. Like buy $20 worth for $10. Itll save a little bit.

[Fashionably Green Baby]

Originally Posted by RealMommyLife I breastfeed, its FREE.

This is the formula feeding support section. Just try to keep that in mind. This mama was breastfeeding before and I would make an educated guess that there is probably a reason she stopped.

I, too, breastfeed so I am not anti-BF or anything but this isn't the place.

Kim,
I would post an ISO for the coupons/checks on here. I know other people do it.

[happysmileylady]

I was breastfeeding for the cost as well. Unfortunately, my little one spent 5 days in Riley Children's hospital because he lost 3lbs in 2 months because my supply was too low. With 4 kids, I was unable to really pump enough to maintain enough of a supply to be able pump enough to make a difference.

Also, because of his weight gain issues and we had some constipation problems when we tired to switch, neither the doctor nor I am really comfortable switching him off the Gentlease just yet. Once we are sure his weight gain is steady and he has come back up onto ANY growth curve, I can hopefully switch to generic.

WIC-we are borderline as to whether or not we would qualify. But the other problem there is that our WIC doesn't offer the Enfamil Gentlease. So, I dunno if I am comfortable with that.

[Fashionably Green Baby]

For WIC you *should* be able to get the gentlease with a note from your ped. Especially with the documented weight issue. I had WIC formula with my oldest because she was not breastfed the entire first year and she had nutramigen. I just had to get a note from her ped.

Also on the weight issue. My DS was FTT and although I made it 11 months BF and my supply was not an issue it was seriously stressful and he ended up on elecare (special formula) from 11 months until like almost 2. He had food intolerances that we were not aware of until almost a year old.

[makclair]

Originally Posted by Fashionably Green Baby For WIC you *should* be able to get the gentlease with a note from your ped. Especially with the documented weight issue. I had WIC formula with my oldest because she was not breastfed the entire first year and she had nutramigen. I just had to get a note from her ped. Also on the weight issue. My DS was FTT and although I made it 11 months BF and my supply was not an issue it was seriously stressful and he ended up on elecare (special formula) from 11 months until like almost 2. He had food intolerances that we were not aware of until almost a year old.

Some states will only cover certain formulas even w a script. Here in sc they will only do goodstart formulas on the formulary. With a prescription they won't do any similar or enfamil but nutramigen/nutramigen/neosure