Free. Breast milk doesn't cost a cent, while the cost of formula quickly adds up. And unless you're pumping breast milk and giving it to your baby, there's no need for bottles, nipples, and other supplies that can be costly.

There appears to be a clear winner on that front: The U.S. Surgeon General states that parents can save $1,200 to $1,500 to breastfeed rather than formula feed an infant in the first year of the child’s life. But is breastfeeding inherently cheaper than formula feeding?

In comparison to a year’s supply of formula, which may cost between $760 and $2,280, breastfeeding for one year may cost women more than $10,500.

You can breastfeed almost anywhere and anytime your baby is hungry. You do not need to make formula before feeding, worry about clean water, or carry it with you when you go out or travel. And you save money on formula, which can cost $1,000 or more a year.