Get Free Baby Formula

If your infant is on regular formula, there are many ways to get free baby formula. It's not cheap to maintain a regular supply and supplementing it with some free sources can be a great way to help your baby budget stretch further.

Steps

Free samples from the hospital

Many hospitals receive free formula samples from multiple formula manufacturers.* If you're definitely formula-feeding your infant and you know this before you deliver, take advantage of the free formula the hospital has available.

  1. Request a bag of formula samples and coupons. Some hospitals will only distribute formula bags to women who request them, so make it clear that you would appreciate any samples they have, as well as free bottles or coupons.
  2. Ask if any additional samples are available. In some cases, hospitals are able to give a few weeks’ supply of infant formula, or multiple sample bags, to women who need or request the extra samples.
    • Some hospitals don't receive / give out formula samples at the urging of the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends breast feeding for all newborns. If your hospital says they don't have samples, that's probably why.

Samples from your pediatrician

  1. If you have twins, triplets or more multiples, your pediatrician's office can give you formula samples. Just ask at your first visit and at subsequent visits. If you need to change formula types or brands, ask again for new samples. Don't be shy! Formula is expensive, especially when you're buying for two, three or more.

Samples from the manufacturer

Some formula brands offer coupons for free formula on their labels or through their websites. If you like a particular brand and need free formula, contact the manufacturer over the phone or the Internet to request a few coupons for free formula. In many cases, the companies will offer a few coupons for free formula to make sure you remain their customer.

  1. Call the customer service department. If you call the manufacturer to inform them that you want to keep feeding your baby their brand of infant formula but cannot afford it at the moment, they may be happy to send you coupons or samples free of charge.
  2. Sign up for free samples, coupons, or vouchers. Many formula companies offer free samples if you sign up for their email lists or online community.

Formula coupons

Infant formula manufacturers have steep competition and often place coupons and offers for free samples in parenting magazines, online parenting websites, newspapers, and other infant products. Clip and store coupons––doubling or tripling the coupon value when possible––to save money or get the formula for free.

  1. Sign up for a formula discount list. Some parenting groups and infant health websites or clubs offer a wide variety of special offers, discounts, free samples, and promotions for a variety of infant products, including baby formula.
    • General discount lists are particularly useful if you also want discounts on other infant items or if you're comfortable switching your baby’s formula occasionally.
  2. Clip coupons and ask friends to do so, too. Collect coupons from magazines, the newspaper, and special interest publications, as well as the Internet, to get the biggest discounts possible on infant formula.
    • Let friends and family know that you would love coupons or vouchers for free or discounted infant formula if they happen to come across them.
  3. Sign up for free online giveaway sites. Some websites allow networking of parents and community members who list items like baby clothes and unused formula packages as “free for pick-up” if they no longer need them.
    • If you sign up for a local freebie program, always be careful when visiting strangers’ homes, and check the infant formula package for expiration dates and signs of opening or contamination. Only use sealed, fresh packages of infant formula.

Sign up for the Women, Infants, and Children Program

The United States offers a national program for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children up to the age of 5. Provided you meet certain income guidelines, you may be eligible to get free formula for your baby’s first year, as well as nutritious food for some of your older children. If you do not live in the US, many nations offer similar programs through their welfare services.

  1. Call the nearest WIC clinic for an appointment. You will need to bring proof of identification and income for you and your children.
  2. Let them know you need infant formula. In most cases, you can get vouchers or an electronic card to use to purchase infant formula the same day as your first appointment. If you need formula right away, ask for a same-day or walk-in appointment or for local agencies you can call for formula help in the interim.

Visit a food bank or pregnancy clinic

If you're unable to afford the cost of formula, many community centers carry infant formula that they give to families in need. There is no shame in requesting infant formula from a food bank, crisis pregnancy center, family support center, or other community charitable organization. Your child’s well-being comes first, and many of these centers can provide temporary assistance and help point you in the direction of more permanent assistance to feed your baby.

  1. Call ahead to ask if they have infant formula. Many organizations will hold a few packages of formula if you call in advance to let them know you are coming and are badly in need of formula for your child.
  2. Ask about other infant foods or supplies. If your child needs more than just formula, ask the center whether they offer baby foods, clothes, or diapers.

Request infant formula as a present

If the cost of formula is prohibitive or just a cost you would rather avoid, consider requesting infant formula as a gift on holidays and birthdays, for your baby shower, or as baby gifts.

  1. Register for infant formula for your baby shower. If you register for infant formula for your baby shower and make it clear that you would really appreciate gifts of formula, you may be able to get several months’ worth of infant formula without spending a dime.
  2. Request infant formula as baby presents or holiday gifts. If you need free infant formula, ask that your friends and family give you formula on Mother’s Day, your birthday, as a new baby gift, or for whatever gift-giving holiday is coming next.

Buy generic formula

  1. It's not free, but generic baby formula (e.g., Target's Up & Up brand and Walmart's Parent's Choice brand) is significantly cheaper than brand-name formula. And despite all the benefits touted in brand-name formula commercials, ads and packaging, generic is just as good for your baby. By law, it has to be.

Warnings

  • Never use expired infant formula, formula that smells spoiled, formula that looks contaminated, or formula that was opened or damaged before it came into your possession.

Sources and Citations

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