Milk

Bottles

Support

Breast Pump

Other Costs

The boob, the whole boob, nothing but the boob

Free

None

Free through La Leche League (optional)

None

Nursing bras, breast pads, Boppy (all optional)

$0-100

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0-100

The boob, at all costs

Free

About a dozen bottles, plus storage bags for freezing milk

Several consultations with expert lactation consultants, at $60-85 per hour

$200-$350 for Medela Pump In Style, up to $1,000 for hospital-grade pump (can be rented for $1-3 per day)

Nursing bras, breast pads, Boppy or My Brest Friend, nipple shields, Hooter Hider, medicinal herbs, medication

$410-2,000

$0

$50-100

$60-400

$200-1,000

$100-500

Formula, Bargain Basement

Target-brand powdered formula to make the 11,520 ounces of formula needed for the baby's first year

About a dozen bottles, from newborn to toddler sizes

None

None

None

$1,167.44-1,217.44

$1,117.44

$50-100

$0

$0

$0

Formula, Platinum

Similac alimentum or similar to make the approx. 11,520 ounces needed for baby's first year

A dozen or more bottles, from newborn to toddler sizes, made of glass or PBA-free plastic, bottle drying rack, bottle warmer, Mabel's Labels for daycare

None

None

None

$2,735.60-3,035.60

$2,685.60

$50-350

$0

$0

$0

Working Mother, Nursing Mother

Formula, ranging from Target brand to Similac Alimentum, to provide approximately half the baby's liquid nutrition from months 7-12

A dozen or more bottles, from newborn to toddler sizes, made of glass or PBA-free plastic, Mabel's Labels for daycare

May consult with a lactation consultant, especially about pumping issues

$200-$350 for Medela Pump In Style, up to $1,000 for hospital-grade pump (can be rented for $1-3 per day)

Nursing bras, breast pads, Boppy or My Brest Friend

$629.36-2,411.40

$279.36-671.40

$50-200

$0-240

$200-1,000

$100-300

©2008 Kate Tuttle and Nerve Media