Free baby food. Yup, that’s one of the things that I loved the most about breastfeeding both of my kids. For the six months they were exclusively breastfed, I spent a big fat goose egg–or $0–on food for them. If I’d bought six months worth of formula during that time, I would have spent anywhere from $350 to $1,000 per kid to feed them.

Since August is National Breastfeeding Awareness month, I figured I’d give a shout out to a breastfeeding incentive plan that Independence Blue Cross (IBC) in the Philadelphia area is offering its members and which is designed to save money.

Through IBC’s Baby BluePrints program, members can receive up to $50 back for taking a childbirth or breastfeeding class, $50 back on the purchase of a breast pump, and $100 towards support from a lactation consultant.

I realize that not every mother can or chooses to breastfeed. But if you’re on the fence–and on a budget–consider these facts about breastfeeding before making your final decision. Breastfeeding can:

• Develop a bond of closeness and trust between mother and infant
• Reduce cases of ear infections, diarrhea, bacterial meningitis, allergies, and obesity in infants
• Lower risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer for mothers
• Help mothers to their pre-pregnancy weight faster
• Decrease costs for programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• Lower annual health care costs by $3.6 billion in the U.S. if every new mother attempted to breastfeed their baby.

OK, so I did incur some costs from breastfeeding, including buying a breast pump and supplies for it, and nursing pads and bras. But I’d like to think that in the long run, we saved more money, and helped to set our daughters up for healthy, happy lives. As teens they may tell you differently, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.