How New Moms Can Save Money on Formula
Baby products expert Sandra Gordon speaks with Better Show Co-Hosts JD Roberto and Audra Lowe on how new moms can save money on baby products like infant formula. From buying the right clothing and infant formula to the right car seat, Sandra offers money saving advice to new moms across the country. Read an excerpt from the televised segment below.
Audra: “Alright switching gears for a second here now. Speaking of Hollywood, there’s a baby boom going on. We were just talking about this. It’s Beyoncé, Jessica Simpson, and Jennifer Garner. It seems like every single day the cover of the tabloids says that someone else is expecting or just had a baby.”
JD: “A baby is like the new accessory. If you’re a Hollywood star, you got to have a baby…everyone has one. But the fact of the matter is not all of us are millionaires with six nannies pulling in tons and tons of money. And those little bundles of joy can be shockingly expensive.
Well, here to show new parents how to save a little bit on what items they can save on and where they should splurge, is national baby products expert, Sandra Gordon.
You were telling us the average parent spends $10,000 on a newborn in the first year.”
Sandra: “That’s right, and that’s just the first year alone. And, it can cost up to $18,000. You know, the more you make, the more you spend. But, you know, that’s $10,000 to $18,000 you weren’t spending before you had your baby.”
Audra: “And it’s not until you look back on all those bills that you realize what you added up all that money. Here’s the question: A lot of people don’t know which items they should splurge on and which items they should save on until after the fact. And people give you all kinds of advice. What they splurged on, you might want to save on. How do you know?”
Sandra: “Well, let’s start with the basics. When it comes to feeding your baby, breast is best. It’s not only good for you; it’s also good for your baby. It’s also is cheap, as in free. But if you want to use infant formula, you should definitely go with the store brand formula. And that’s because it is 50 percent cheaper than the name brand. All infant formula sold in the United States is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration
Audra: “I was just going to ask you about that.”
Sandra: “Yes the FDA regulates all formula brands, so it’s all basically the same product. Advertised national brands and store brand infant formulas have to meet the same nutritional profiles. So you’re not skimping on your baby’s nutrition.”
Audra: “To be quite honest with you, I didn’t know there were store brands of infant formula out there. I mean, you typically see the name brand formulas in the stores.”
Sandra: “There are store brands are everywhere. This is Walmart’s Parent’s Choice Formula for example. And Target has one called Up & Up Formula. But there are store brands in a variety of places. CVS, Walgreens, and Sam’s Club, and more.”
Audra: “Retailers that sell their own store formula brands?”
Sandra: “Yes, that’s correct. Retail stores sell their own store brand infant formulas. And another great way to save is that I tell parents not to spend money on designer baby clothes because their children will blow through the sizes. What’s great, especially this time of year, is going second hand. This is especially great for holiday outfits, because more than likely your baby will only wear them once.