So for unexpected medical reasons I have to take some medications that make breastfeeding my 5 week old daughter impossible. I had planned on nursing exclusively so I am very sad about this. On top of that our finances are extremely tight. We did not plan on buying formula and just can't afford it. Are there any groups or organizations who could help my family with this expense? Thanks mamas!
Thank you all so very, very much for this quick help!! We do get WIC but it's the exclusive nursing package and they usually take 4 weeks to make a change. Still, I will call and ask. Also the hospital, churches, and pedi are great ideas I had not thought of. WE do need help asap since it's between pay periods but I completely think cutting those extras like cable is so smart. I've just been so sad/stressed about this I couldn't think of anything. Thank you all so much!!
WIC
They were a LIFE SAVER when it came to buying formula!!! It won't cover all of the formula you will need each month, but it will definitely help!
Go to your local social services office and apply for SNAP or WIC...
Go to your church and let them know you need help, financially as well as with breast feeding/formula feeding.
Go to your pediatrician..they can give you samples of formula.
Go to the laleche league and let them know what is going on...they may be able to direct you to a breast milk bank or help you get through this time and be able to pump and toss the milk and still be able to breast feed when you get off the medication..
Congratulations on your baby girl...
Looks like you got some great suggestions. I also highly agree with the poster that said to pump and dump if you're going to be on the medication for a relatively short time (even up to a month or two, it might still be worth it). That way, when you're off the meds, you can try nursing again. If she takes to it, it'll be great for both of you. If not, at least you will have tried. Pumping will keep your supply up.
First of all did you DOUBLE CHECK the meds with a lactation consultant or a La Leche League Leader????? Doctors and pharmacists are NOTORIOUS for telling people to pump and dump or not nurse withOUT looking up the meds!
You can find a LLL leader at http://www.llli.org/webus.html
You can also look up meds yourself on the National Institutes of Health's Lact- Med database: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT
Are you absolutely sure that the medications you have to take mean you can't breastfeed. Doctors will not always check to see if something is safe and just assume it isn't. You can check your medications at www.infantrisk.com. It is part of the Texas Tech Health Science Center.
"The InfantRisk Center will be dedicated to providing up-to-date evidence-based information on the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Our goal is to provide accurate information regarding the risks of exposure to mothers and their babies. By educating healthcare professionals and the general public alike, we aim to reduce the number of birth defects as well as create healthy breastfeeding relationships. We are now open to answer calls Monday-Friday 8am-5pm central time. Please contact us at ###-###-####."
You may have done all this and still found that you must stop breastfeeding but if not you may find that you can still breastfeed. Good luck.
W.I.C. is for low income families and provides vouchers for formula. Google it for your area and you may be able to apply online. In the meantime, check Craigslist for people selling it.
If you have honestly pared down everything from removing cable, to not having a smart phonr, to not get hair done(dye or fequent haircuts), use sales and coupons, menu planning, don't eat out, don't make unnecessart trips in the car, have pared down your home, don't shop excessively,then check your local food pantry, wic, and formula companies to see what they can do. Also pump and dump to keep supply up in case you can go off meds to continue feeding. Only reason I mention budget cuts is because I helped out a family financially being told they were in crisis could not afford to feed kids or diaper the baby. I do all of the above as our budget is snug and found out I made the sacrifices and they made none. But took the money and donations without batting an eye. may your health improve, finances too and congrats on your little one.
Call the local hospital and they'll point you in the right direction.
added: Yes WIC is good, people, but she needs formula like TONIGHT if her baby isn't getting food. Yes, church would help you too. Search "Angel Ministry" or "food bank" for your area.
Go to your local assistance program to inquire about help.
In the mean time cut your personal expenses, phone, internet, cable etc to be able to budget. Buy what you need and forget about want for now.
You can do this if you put this baby at priority #1
Best wishes
Contact the hospital where you gave birth. They can refer you to resources in your area.
Apply for WIC (Women Infants and Children), the hospital will be able to help you with this.
Definitely go onto WIC, and check out Craigslist and Freecycle. I know several people will sell formula online... Just make SURE that the can is still sealed before you buy it!
If you get really strapped, you can check out food banks or church programs. You could even call a women's shelter, to see if they have any ideas for you. Most people will WANT to help a mother trying to feed her baby, and should point you in the right direction if they can't help you themselves.
I'm sorry that you can't nurse, but don't feel too bad about it! You should be proud that you at least made the effort. :)
Are there some expenses that you could eliminate in order to afford food for your baby?
Cable? Internet? Just asking.
In California we have WIC, there might be a similar program in Vermont. If not contact some churches.
Our local hospital (which I worked at) had a "mother's milk bank which would get extra milk from nursing mothers who had too much. They usually would pasteurize it or something of that nature to make sure it was safe for another baby to drink.
They may limit recipients to babies who have allergies to formula though.
Otherwise, can you check with a food bank? Perhaps your local church would also have some resources. You can't let your baby starve to death! You're going to have to feed her somehow...even if you have to temporarily borrow the money from family.
Do you qualify for food stamps?
as far as I know WIC does not take 4 weeks to make a change. I am absolutely positive if you call them and let them know what is going on they will help you. Plus I know that you can probably contact your local health department and they WILL give you some resources for free food and formula and diapers!
Another thing - contact a Lactation Consultant about the medicine you must take and breastfeeding. Your doc may not be correct re. the dosage being a problem for breastfeeding.
I got shingles after I had my baby and my Dr. and the Ped said I needed to pump&dump - BUT the lactation consultant, who is specifically educated about pediatric medication and breastfeeding said it was not necessary. It was too late for my supply to not be screwed up before I contacted her. I had to get help to get back on track and nursed till my son was 2.5 years old.
I got a lot of free samples from the hospital and the pediatrician and OBGYN office (like 6 or 7 small cans). Also, you can call the formula companies directly and ask them about free samples to "test" with your baby which they will send while your waiting for your WIC to change. I used to give my son target brand formula which I could get a LARGE can for only 20 dollars which is pretty good and should last a 5 week old a little while. I know that younger babies a lot of time have some difficulty with different brands, but it's a thought if you want a cheaper option.
Call the WIC office Monday morning and explain what is going on. They may be able to help since it's a medical issue. They may not be able to though. I am a foster parent and was placed with a child who's WIC coupons got lost in the shuffle of her being removed from her home. WIC wouldn't reissue them.
I would second contacting a hospital or church and asking for help. Good luck!
Hi J.,
I suggest contacting a milk bank or similar and getting donated breastmilk. Good for your baby and free. You don't have to pay for the milk if you find individual donor through certain sites. At certain milk banks, you do have to pay and it is expensive. So go the other route. The other option is to call the formula company of your choice and ask them for samples--they will send you several cans for free and lots of coupons to use.
If you qualify, you can get assistance with certain food items and formula through WIC. Look it up and they can help you. Good luck!
Sounds like you've gotten great advice below so I won't repeat everyone, except to say that if it were me, I would ask the doctor for an alternative medication or get a second opinion.
I am still nursing my 28 month old toddler, and I have had to fight tooth and nail and times to be doing so. I have kidney stones and when I am hospitalized (which has happened twice in the past year) with them, they insist that I can "just be done" and want to give me the type of narcotics she shouldn't have, instead of giving me the weaker, more appropriate stuff. I fight and win every time! You never have to "just be done" and take some dope, unless it's a life or death situation.
Good luck!
Is there a crisis nursery near you? We have a crisis nursery in town that takes all kinds of dontaions (just like a food bank). We gave them all unused diapers, unopened formula and baby food. When I went there to drop off a donation, there was a young mother there picking up some formula. If you're not sure, you could try asking the hosptial and some local churches. I'm sure they will know who to ask.
Can u pump and dump until u are finished with the medication? I know that doesn't help now with formula needs, but maybe could allow you to bf in the future...I hope things work out for you! :)
The smartest thing to do is decide what you can cut out of your budget what are you paying for that aren't needed and care or your newborn with that money.If you have a Doorstep in your area they might be aboe to help or try the United Way they will have a list of resources.
edit will you be able to nurse after treatment then you may want to rethink about changing your food packs with WIC in the mean time pump and dump so for you won't loose your milk supply.
The ladies below have given great advice. I would also suggest checking with your local freecycle. I know when my daughter went off the formula I gave away what we had left, and someone else might be willing to as well.
I would talk to the doctors who prescribed this and see if there's anything else you can be prescribed. I also found that many doctors will say you can't when the medication isn't listed as a no, just a "well, here's the caution", so I'd call the LC. They have a big book they can look it up in and can discuss the pros and cons with you.
Is this a long term medication or short term? If it's reasonably short, I'd pump and dump. I'd also look into whether or not you can qualify for any insurance benefit (since the medication is prescribed to you- FYI some insurance also covers a pump if you are able to pump and dump for a short term) or WIC or similar. I donated unused formula samples to our local food bank, so I'd contact a food bank and see what they may be able to offer. I'm sorry you have to go through this.
