There were some startling facts thrown out that shocked many of the moms there today, here are a few. Now I have never bought formula so I'm not really sure how much it cost but after discussing all these number and facts, most of us were wondering how many people afford it and one mom brought up, how much of our tax dollars are going toward paying for formula for babies.
- It cost on average $1000.00 in formula to feed ONE baby from birth to 12 months (that doesn't include bottles and other supplies you need for a formula fed baby)
- It cost the government $33,000,000 each MONTH to provide formula for babies on the WIC program
- By breastfeeding for 6 months a family can save $400.00 in doctor/insurance cost (all those wonderful immune boosting, bacteria killing enzymes!)
- Formula containers, bottles, scoops, and all the things that go with formula feeding cause more trash that has to go into landfills (also think about the cost to create, pack, and store)
- Breast milk is ALWAYS available (When Katrina happened many moms were without clean water to mix bottles so LLL worked with many families to re-lactate mothers during this terrible crisis) I think that is super exciting!
These are just a few of the highlights from our meeting today and the overall costs to families, the government and the impact that breastfeeding has on the world around us is astounding....I was shocked. So I'm grateful to the Lord that I have been able to breastfeed my baby boys, not to mention the money we have saved, the healthy start it has giving them, and the fact that I know no matter where we are, I will always be able to top off their little tanks!
How Thrifty!
I also thank the lord that I've been able to breastfeed my kids. I don't know how people can afford not too. I've never bought formula either, but I've had to pump because my babies were both born so early and with Katelyn I have only bought 1 bottle and it cost me 10 dollars. We have been in shock that a bottle could cost that much and it's not a special bottle or anything it just a Avent one
ReplyDeleteThese are staggering statistics! Formula is about $100 a month. I know this because I was one of the unlucky ones who was unable to exclusively breastfeed my baby even though we tried EVERYTHING. Having to use formula was one of my biggest disappointments in life. Fortunately we were only supplementing with formula so we spent about $40 a month. It was still horribly expensive. That is awesome about how LLL was able to help Katrina moms.
ReplyDeleteYay for breastfeeding! With 2 out of my 3 kids, it was such a challenge. It took me 6 weeks to get them to nurse. It was exhausting. I can totally understand why some people can't devote that amount of energy into making it work. I "gave up" every day and then just decided to try one more time the next day. For 6 weeks. Thankfully, they finally got it and all 3 of my kids nursed for a year.
ReplyDelete