ST. LOUIS — Motherhood to a baby means tracking lifesaving formula ounces, keeping time on when the baby ate, and now, it also means tracking the nickels and dimes.
“We paid $18.99 for six, 8-ounce bottles, which is about $1.50 per feeding,” said Brandie Kramer, mom of two. “That's a lot of money that adds up if you're doing that consistently.”
Kramer only needed formula in the beginning, but she will likely have to return to relying on formula once she goes back into the labor force. Between the short time of having her second child, formula prices have skyrocketed this time around.
From January 2023 to January 2024, the price of formula rose 8.7 percent, and that’s just one piece of the pie. Kramer said she and her husband did the math on childcare for two children, and it will cost more than the family’s mortgage.
“That was rough to hear,” she said.
Kramer said she’s making it work, but it’s difficult. Experts said it’s often too difficult for many parents.
Jessica Sampson with the St. Louis Crisis Nursery said parents are coming by asking for free formula. She said she sees their desperation.
“Sometimes some of our parents are resorting to putting juice in the formula because they don't have the proper water or they don't have the right amount of formula,” said Sampson. “Of course, that's really detrimental and concerning because our children need the proper nutrients.”
The crisis nursery has a pantry on hand with a comparison chart to help parents swap out more expensive brands for cheaper ones. It also keeps specialty formulas on its shelves, which can sometimes be difficult for parents to afford or find altogether.
There are some other ways to save: buy generics, ask your doctor for samples or coupons, buy powdered formula, or even use cashback credit cards or programs.
“I signed up for Ibotta,” said Kramer. The app gives consumers a rebate on select purchases. “Every time I go to the grocery store, I look through my receipt and see what qualifies for a rebate."
Kramer said it's never more than a few dollars at a time, but in a world where every cent counts, it certainly helps her make ends meet.
If your baby needs specialty formula, the costs are even more expensive. You may want to consider formula swap groups on social media or if you live in St. Louis, you can visit the Metro Market, which is a nonprofit mobile grocery store that has formula and other groceries at significantly lower prices.
In the meantime, some US lawmakers are pushing to encourage smaller manufacturers with tax incentives to get into the formula market. As it stands today, about three companies make up roughly 84% of the formula market in the US which has proven to be devastating in times of recalls, shortages, and other supply chain issues.