Formula Feeding with a Dairy Allergy

I want to be very clear: I am not an expert on feeding your baby. If you are struggling with how to feed your child, please reach out to a specialist or Pediatrician.

The birth of our daughter brought on a laundry list of challenges. She was born one month early, she struggled to breathe her first few days, and she struggled to eat. Once she started eating consistently, we noticed she started being sooooo grumpy. She would scream and scream and scream. She would scream because she was hungry, then scream because she ate, then she would fall asleep and soon enough she would wake up screaming. She was never happy. Lucky for us, we have a pediatrician that never gave up on her. Eventually, after some testing, it was determined that our daughter had a Dairy Allergy.

Let me state that we were no stranger to formula costs, as my oldest was also a formula baby, but my gosh are things different when the Dairy Allergy is involved. I'd like to show you some numbers:

Costs of Dairy Formula Options

Enfamil 19.9oz Powder Canister $38

Similac 30.8oz Powder Canister $37

Member's Mark 48oz Powder Canister $43

Costs of Non-Dairy Formula Options

Similac Alimentum 12.1oz Powder Canister $39

Gerber Extensive HA 14.1oz Powder Canister $37

For reference, at four months old, a 14oz Powder Canister lasts us between 3-5 days.

A Dairy Allergy meant we were looking at almost 4x the price of feeding our second child, compared to the first. So, how are we surviving as a single-income family when it costs just under $300 to feed one child alone per month? Three ways: Freebies, Sales, Budgeting.

Freebies

Fun fact, your pediatrician has a plethora of formula samples you're allowed to ask for, anytime you're in the office. For Diary Formula, these are the same size as all those samples you get in the mail. For Non-Diary Formula, the sample size IS the canister size you can find on the store shelf. When I tell you our Pediatrician has helped us feed our daughter for months, I'm not exaggerating. I've learned the power of asking for help, and boy do they provide the help.

Sales

Have you ever been so desperate for something that you asked others to help you shop for it? I have. Thanks to God, we have an amazing village surrounding us. When I needed help, I asked. Part of that village found us a formula sale, three times! We were able to purchase our Non-Dairy Formula at 75% off, all because of finding a sale at the right time. Thank you God for our village (and that Kroger sale).

Budgeting

I'm not going to get into this, you know it's one of my passions. Sometimes saying yes to feeding our daughter comes with budgeting restrictions. Feeding her is more important than that Zoo trip, and sacrifices must be made. But, you're a parent, so you know that already.

Facing a Dairy Allergy with your kiddo? You're not alone. Reach out to me anytime, I'd love to walk alongside you in your journey.

Talk soon!