Save over $1500 by Breastfeeding your Baby

Are you going to be a first time stay at home mom and are trying to figure out how to make it a single income? Are you going to breastfeed? These two things may not seem related, but in fact, they are!

Breastfeeding is the healthiest option for your baby. Believe me, as I struggled to get it right with my baby, I searched high and low for someone to tell me that formula is just as good as breast milk for a baby and I failed miserably. Don't get me wrong, formula works, too, but if you can physically do it, breastfeeding is easy way to save tons of money on baby formula. If you do go with formula, buy the organic, Non-GMO stuff.

Here are a few things you save money on by breastfeeding:

• Baby Formula
• Bottles
• Femimine Products (you may forego your period completely while breastfeeding, but it depends on the individual)
• Milk (my baby is 12 months and doesn't drink regular milk - he is still breastfeeding a few times a day!)

So how much can you save?

Just formula, alone can cost from $1000 to over $2000 in the first year! Bottles can cost a few hundred dollars on top of that!

What if you are like me and have a difficult breastfeeding experience? Those first few weeks were a little rough, but it was worth the pain and trouble. While we were going through this, I felt like anyone else would have given up. I saw a lactation consultant at the hospital, bought a breast pump and fed my baby some formula to supplement, but we got on track after a few weeks and it has been so easy, ever since. I'm so glad I fought through it and didn't give up.

You can read about my Breastfeeding Pain and Other Obstacles.

What if you need to go back to work? 

Breastfeeding doesn't have to be an all or nothing thing. Many people pump extra breast milk so their baby can have it while they are working, but it is a personal choice.You can also do a breastfeeding/formula feeding combo. I nursed my son once a day for quite a while. I realized how truly valuable this was when he got sick and would only nurse (not eat or drink). I actually was able to nurse him several times that day!

Do I need anything special?

There are a few nice to have products, like nursing bras and a Boppy or Brest Friend nursing pillow, but you really don't need anything at all!