The cost of formula is an amazing expense that few parents are aware of when
deciding how to feed their baby. Most health care providers have no idea that
parents will be shelling out so much money for their apathy to breastfeeding.
I constructed a formula inventory in NABA's new publication on the results of
the Code monitoring project in the US. In "Selling Out Mothers and Babies" I
looked at formula prices in a large supermarket and on the Internet. There
are a variety of packaging options for formula, each with differing amounts
and prices. I used Wellstart's estimates of formula consumption for the first
year of 9,344 ounces. Ross's estimates are upwards of 14,000 ounces. I guess
they want mothers to buy lots of their product! Anyone can do the same thing
where they live. Prices vary around the country as well as the location of
where the formula is purchased.

My calculations came out to 292 cans of 32oz ready to feed formula at $4.49
per can, costing $1311.08; 359 cans of 13oz concentrated formula at $3.19 per
can totaling $1145.21; and 80 can of powdered formula 16oz size at $11.69 per
can costing $1280.00. Powdered formula now comes in very large cans at the
discount stores. Soy formulas and special formulas are even more expensive.
That's why the companies push mothers and health care providers into defining
gas as a treatable medical condition and hawk lactose free formulas to cure a
normal behavior! This translates into a lot more money in the bank if mothers
and health workers can be persuaded to use these special formulas. Babies who
spit up are diagnosed with a medical condition that needs anti-reflux formula
which is $5.14 per 32oz ready to feed can. Babies with diarrhea need a
special formula with rice in it at $5.25 for a 32oz ready to feed can.

Formula companies construct diseases out of normal conditions, then make a
formula that will cure the disease. It is easier to sell a cure than engage
in the preventive behavior of breastfeeding.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

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