“Oh you have to use the powder, the premixed stuff is much more expensive”

That was the swan song of nearly all of Zubin’s “other mothers” when asked about the formula strategy. This seemed like a ludicrous ideal to adhere to in the early weeks when homegirl and I were barely able to see straight. As time passed and the feeding/burping/cleaning got easier (the result of improved technique by parent and infant), we began to consider it. We gave it a shot and I tried to optimize by making a huge vat of formula to keep at the ready. In a rare (maybe not SO rare) failure in my efficiency planning circuit, I didn’t think that making the individual bottles was necessary…idiotic, I know. This was a huge mistake resulting in an entire can of half dissolved Similac and overflowing containers of boiling hot water. Monisha was quickly able to see us back to the path of progress through pre-packaged, single servings.

Anyway getting back to the point here, I was still not happy about this powder measuring, mixing and preparation bit even after we had the process sorted. And on top of that I had a fairly bizarre experience at our local Gristede’s, where they keep the formula locked up behind the counter (big black market for that stuff, ask your nanny). I asked the concierge at the pharmacy desk, how much these cans were being sold for. On expressing my outrage at their predatory pricing, the ambassador of retail replied to me with a Shakespearean delivery: “Are you familiar with the WIC program?”

Alright getting back to the real point here: Back at the lab, we did a bit of analysis on the cost of powder vs. ready-made Similac, and…..3 cents per ounce. That’s the premium at least in Manhattan. Now I know some freak show auntie is going to comeback at me with some nonsense about hauling 52 pound barrels of Similac in her Range Rover and how they “even helped me load my car” in the Costco parking lot. NO! I say NO! We are analyzing with the limit of our locale and that means walking distance and no more than your own child’s weight, so the stroller stays balanced.. I thought better of publicizing our incredibly cheap sources, so you will have to take my word for it, $4.60 per quart and $11.00 for the can that yields 96 oz once mixed.

So some quick math here: The Zooromancer takes roughly 25 ounces a day which means $5.25 a week of added cost for the ready to feed. I think I can dig deep for that. I mean if soft drinks were sold in a powder version for a few cents less…I mean c’mon, would you buy some nondescript powdery substance in a plastic bag labeled coke. I wouldn’t. Really.