Ways to save on baby formula and diapers?

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Ok dis-parents, share your best tips for saving on formula and diapers. We are expecting our first mini-diser in July and know that formula and diapers are expensive!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

And I know breastfeeding is cheaper, but it may not work for our family, at least not exclusively so I'm preparing our budget for formula as well.

 

[Promomx2]

Powder formula is cheaper than the liquid. You can sign up on the similac and enfamili websites and they will send you coupons. But just a word to the wise, both my grandbabies had issues and had to change formula types a few times in the first few weeks. Diapers are just a trial thing. Some mommies like one brand over another. But you can start purchasing them early. Diaper coupons are pretty easy to find online and if you have a redcard with Target you save a extra 5%. Good luck.

 

[ktrask]

Target diapers are great. They fit well and never leaked. If you have a red card you'll save 5% on the price each time too.

We also used formula, and signed up for every free sample under the sun. Family members would also sign up and get the samples...then just pass them onto us. In terms of formula we bought, we bought Berkley and Jensen which is the BJ's brand. Formula is regulated by the FDA, so a generic brand still has everything that was required in it. I compared the BJ's brand right next to Similac, and the only difference was the order of 2 ingredients. Every ingredient was exactly the same. We would get 3lbs of formula powder for $20!

One great tip I got from my sister..and it was great for our DD. Never heat a bottle. That way when you are out and about your child won't need a bottle to be heated. We could take water right out of the fridge and make a bottle...never had an issue with DD taking it based on temp.

 

[ktrask]

I should clarify...when I say Target diapers, I mean their store brand. We loved them...and the price!

 

[minushka72]

Most hospitals (if not all) do not give the formula company diaper bags anymore because of the push towards breastfeeding. I chose to formula feed both my kids so that was a bit of a disappointment when i had my second child. ( I had gotten the bag with my first child. Anyway, my hospital gave the new moms a backpack filled with essentials for the mom (all the sanitary stuff you will need) and my nurses told me to take out all that stuff and fill it with the diapers and formula in my daughters bassinet each day and to make sure to stop by the nursery for extra formula! The hospital use the premixed jar bottles with disposable nipples. These are very expensive but rally handy to keep in the diaper bag. They are great and do not need to be refrigerated.

 

[NYEmomma]

I've had the best luck with diapers at Target. I use a manu coupon, Target coupon & buy when you get a Target GC with purchase. If I can get them for under $.16 per diaper, I'll buy. Only brand I won't buy is Luvs and Walmart's brand. Babies r Us's diapers have been surprisingly good for us -- I buy boatloads at the Black Friday sale when it's $10 per case. Only time I don't like them is overnight... now that the girls are sleeping 10 hours straight, they pee right through them.

I don't have much formula experience since my twins are almost exclusively breastfed, but they do get one bottle before bed to give me a break. The one twin doesn't have any problems so we give her Similac Sensitive. That's commonly sent out as free samples so I've gotten the majority of her formula for free on local FB swap groups. My other twin has reflux and is dairy & soy intolerant so we've tried every formula under the sun. Finally, I tried exclusively breastfeeding her & not giving her ANY formula and she's done GREAT so we ditched formula altogether for her. So my advice re: formula is don't buy in advance and when you DO buy, get one can at a time until you know you've got something your LO will tolerate.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We used Kirkland (Costco) formula, the ingredients were the same as Similac. You could get twice as much of the Kirkland for the same price as Similac.

 

[lvillotta1]

I adopted both of my children from China as infants. The best and cheapest formula is at SAMs and Costco. The huge cans are around $20. Same stuff as Similac/Enfamil. Both my babes had no problem. As far as diapers I had stocked up for years before my kids came home. I only bought from Walgreens beans buy 1 get 1 free. My girls never had any problems with this brand. It was easier for me as I knew about what size they needed. I had enough diapers bought for both girls for their first year home. For me this was the biggest budget item and I never had to worry that I would run out. Many people disagree about brand name formula a diapers. For me it saved me thousands.

 

[GusGus77]

Have you considered cloth diapering? It is a bit more up front, but saves A LOT in the long run. I never thought I would do it, but I have now cloth diapered two children. I know not everyone is willing/wanting/able to do that, though.

 

[Ennazus8810]

Watch sales for diapers. My girls had problems with any diapers others than pampers. check coupons.com the first few days of every month for diaper coupons, they are always one of the first to be gone. Luvs were ok, but didn't seem to hold up well. As for formula, I tried to BF but couldn't for health reasons. Both of my girls ended up on special formula, and their pediatrician was a wonderful help. Not only did they have coupons every time I went in, but also gave me multiple cans when I went in for well check visits. They had the specialized as well as regular.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Great tips so far! I'm going to wait a little to sign up for manufacturers coupons. Don't want to get them now and have them expire before the baby gets here in July! I thought about cloth diapering, but baby will be in daycare 5 days a week and I know a lot of daycares won't allow cloth diapers.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Babies R Us has a VIB (Very Important Baby) Card that is a gift card that you add money to & can put it on your registry so family & friends can too. Whatever gets added BRU adds an additional 10% and then the money can be used for diapers, wipes, food & formula. You can use manufactures coupons with it. Really easy to use & stretches your $ further! If you're gonna spend the money, you might as well get a bit extra?!

 

[AZMermaid]

Both of my babies needed sensitive formula that we couldn't get at Costco (one needed Alimentium until 4 months which is 2x the cost of regular formula- yikes!). We also tried the Target generic with no luck. My son had colic and both kids had reflux issues. So, if the generic stuff can work for you, awesome! But, don't bank on it. I pumped for my son for 3 months (he would not latch, not even for the Lactation Consultants) so that was free at least, but then his colic got so crazy and he was awake more, so I had to stop for my own sanity.

We cloth diaper and when my son started daycare at 11 months, they did accept them. It got to be too much for me to take care of the diapers every night, so I stopped (which I think they were happy about) but they were willing to do so. Both kids are still CD on the weekends and at night.

 

[ilovefh]

I second what everyone else has said....sign up with the formula companies.

DS was on Enfamil and we would regularly get coupons from them. Some were $10 off. Then check all your local stores for sales before you buy any. Couple the coupon with the sale for a great deal! I got great deals at CVS a few times and Publix a few times. I NEVER bought formula from Babies R Us because they were just so much more expensive than every where else.

Also, check coupons.com. Sometimes they have formula coupons.

Same for diapers.

Just be prepared for change. DS started on infant Enfamil and then had to go to Gentlease. He also can't wear Luvs diapers because they give him a rash. Because of this I wouldn't but too many diapers or too much formula up front because you just don't know what the baby will end up using.

 

[Jimsig]

If your baby does need special formula check and see if your insurance will cover it. A guy I worked with had twins and both needed the special formula. He didn't know our insurance covered it until I told him. Same with my niece. Told my SIL to check her insurance and sure enough it covered it.

 

[stargazer2892]

Sams club has been our life saver. They have Pampers, Huggies, Luvs, and their brand. Other clubs only have for example their brand and Huggies. So if your LO fits better in Pampers then your stuck. We also use their Gentle Formula for 3 LBS its 23$ which lasts about a week/week and a half. So in a month we spend 70$ a month on formula for DS, if we used Enfamil Gentlease it would cost $145. It really helps out. We also buy wipes there and when little one gets bigger we bought a lot of the fruits and vegetables there for his food. Which I also highly recommend doing when he/she gets bigger its super easy and so much cheaper.
They also have a few other baby odds and ends like an activity center for about 20$ off what we paid at Target for it and a convertible Safety 1st car seat for 100$.
Also, Congratulations!

 

[jillily]

I used Similac with both my girls because that is what our hospital started us on. Definately sign up for whatever formula company you decide on. THEN have your parents, inlaws, friends or who ever sign up as well What they send you is actually a check NOT a coupon. They are usually $5, and you have to sign the back. Sellers will sell them in packs of about 10 coupons for a few dollars.

THEN go on ebay and seach for formula coupons. Look at the pictures of the items to make sure you a bidding on a magazine type coupon. These are also usually $5. You can use 1 check and 1 coupon for each can of formula you buy. Thats $10 savings to start.

Now if you know anyone who works at CVS, they have a friends and family discount a few times a year. Its a 30% coupon for regular priced items. So as long as formula isnt on sale you can use that as well. I would buy 12 containers at once, regular price was about $26 each and I paid about $7.50

 

[cristen72]

We've had great luck with the Kirkland brand of diapers at Costco . Every couple of months they have coupons for $6 off per box and that makes it even better.

Also their Kirkland wipes are the best I've ever used! Great price and so much softer than any I've found. I have all my friends with kids totally hooked on them .

 

[crl]

Watch sales for diapers. My girls had problems with any diapers others than pampers. check coupons.com the first few days of every month for diaper coupons, they are always one of the first to be gone. Luvs were ok, but didn't seem to hold up well. As for formula, I tried to BF but couldn't for health reasons. Both of my girls ended up on special formula, and their pediatrician was a wonderful help. Not only did they have coupons every time I went in, but also gave me multiple cans when I went in for well check visits. They had the specialized as well as regular.

I agree with this.
We don't like Luvs, but most others fit at some point in time.
My DD is also on the really expensive formula due to some issues. Which kills me since I know breastfeeding would help, but I've had cancer surgeries so it's not an option. Our doctors office has been great. One of the nurses contacted the rep from our formula company and now he brings a few cans just for us and the nurse calls to let us know to stop by.