When breastfeeding gets too expensive... - Page 3

[Ravin]

It is pretty ridiculous that WIC doesn't have substitutes in place for foods that cause allergies. I mean, I told them DD is allergic to eggs and peanuts, so they give us beans instead of peanut butter. But they still give us the eggs. So I eat them or DH eats them, and it offsets our grocery bill to enable us to buy alternatives for DD.

OTOH, I kind of wonder if DD is allergic to peanuts and eggs because I practically lived on them for a while while pg...

[Da WIC Lady]

Originally Posted by khalilsmama

Word up, Mama! I too think they could benefit from a more wholistic set of parameters for doling out the food packages.

Like i got up in the WIC nutritionist's bonnet with my questions 'why are you sending me so much TUNA as a preg/nursing mama if ALL a preg/new mom reads is about how much mercury is in each little can, even in the 'light' tuna that they give us. Of course USDA says it's ok and WIC uses their guidelines but come on, turn the lights on in there! Like did it ever occur to these nutritionists to look beyond the handed down guidelines from agencies headed by revolving door former industry appointees and that tuna is actually a pretty brisk trade in the US (largest % total protein volume consumed or something like that) industry?

http://www.mercurypolicy.org/new/doc...inal061903.pdf

So i say use what you can and hope the rest of it can be used by others.
Thanks,
Megan

They only give BF moms tuna in most states. Here we get 4- 4oz cans of light tuna a month, which is well within the safety guidelines if you're eating one can a week. The article you cite above didn't study light tuna. It studied white albacore tuna which is known to have higher levels of mercury. All of the WIC foods are from our major food commodities subsidized by the government in case nobody noticed. There isn't really any other canned meat or fish out there that is cheap and widely available. I think tuna is supposed to be a protein and iron food. I'm not one of the nutritionists, but you do absorb things after a while.

But, if you don't want something in the food package, then ask for it to be taken off and ask what other foods you can use to get your protein and iron. Like I've said before, WIC is a supplemental food program and won't supply everything you will need (or want) to eat. You don't have to take the foods as it's not just a food program, but also a nutrition education program, and we have pumps and though it varies by location, other nursing supplies. If you aren't happy with the nutrition ed you're getting, by all means complain all the way up the chain. Write your representatives. Complaining on MDC is a good way to hash out your frustrations, but does no real good. You seem to be pretty well up on nutrition issues and should use it to push for change. There seem to be better choices on the horizon if the survey we just conducted at work is any indication.

Anna

[paquerette]

The primary purpose WIC was created is to support the agricultural industry and various food manufacturers who managed to get their fingers into the pie. Any helping of women and children to have better nutrition is a secondary benefit. That's why the foods are what they are, various lobbies in the food industry. That's why they won't custom build packages that are actually more useful for certain people.

It would be nice if WIC were revamped so it's primary goal was to feed hungry people healthy food, but that's not what it is right now, so it's not going to work for everyone.

Have you tried growing squash, OP? Even if you have no yard, you can probably grow one squash plant in a bucket on your back steps or something. It grows pretty easily and tends to be very prolific. And you have a much longer growing season down there.

[Mama Poot]

Have you tried applying for Food Stamps? Even if you are outside of their income guidelines, if you have multiple sources that show you absolutely need help buying these foods because of medical issues, they might make an exception. Are your child's allergies documented? Get all the records and a signed statement from the doctor. No one should have to suffer because they can't afford food they need. Best of luck to you

[Silvercrest79]

Originally Posted by paquerette

The primary purpose WIC was created is to support the agricultural industry and various food manufacturers who managed to get their fingers into the pie. Any helping of women and children to have better nutrition is a secondary benefit. That's why the foods are what they are, various lobbies in the food industry. That's why they won't custom build packages that are actually more useful for certain people.

It would be nice if WIC were revamped so it's primary goal was to feed hungry people healthy food, but that's not what it is right now, so it's not going to work for everyone.

Have you tried growing squash, OP? Even if you have no yard, you can probably grow one squash plant in a bucket on your back steps or something. It grows pretty easily and tends to be very prolific. And you have a much longer growing season down there.

Ever notice how Nestle' Juicy Juice is one of the only juices "allowed". We used to be able to get Northland Cranberry juice, not anymore.

[wannabe]

Originally Posted by elanorh

In terms of mom drinking the elemental formula herself - that IS a thought, I wonder if WIC would let her do that instead? I know I've read of moms online who've resorted to this to try to get through the TED. Every time I've read about it, there's been the caveat to "check with your doctor first!" which I'll add here.

The elemental formulas are not just breastmilk replacement formulas, but complete foods that kids can be sustained on exclusively, so I assume they could help with maintaining calories on a very restricted diet. Although apparently they taste like old potato peels :vomit

[queenbean]

Originally Posted by paquerette

Have you tried growing squash, OP? Even if you have no yard, you can probably grow one squash plant in a bucket on your back steps or something. It grows pretty easily and tends to be very prolific. And you have a much longer growing season down there.

That's an excellent idea!

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by Ravin

OTOH, I kind of wonder if DD is allergic to peanuts and eggs because I practically lived on them for a while while pg...

So did I and my dcn are not allergic; nobody knows how this happens.

[RoadWorkAhead]

I swore I was avoiding this thread, but alas, I'm back. I haven't tried growing my own squash as my TED has been soo flippin broken up for testing. This time, I'll be on til Nov. 9ish, at which time we scope for Eosiniphilic disorders so I'd need to be off the diet. We'll manage, actually without food stamps for the moment b/c I'm now getting an extra small source of income that will cover the bare difference. ANd I'm hoping to find some pear sales to start canning now to get me through since canned pears are expensive and have sugar that I don't kow the source on (I only do pure cane).

The thought of drinking neocate is an option. I tasted it and its horrible, but its an option. Don't know the legal ramifications. I guess I could talk to the one good nutritionist at our office to see if its legal. I might talk the Dr. into a script for a flavored version if it didn't bother DD tooo much. OUr reality is that this won't work for me for forever. I have hit my end point and am now comfortab;e with weaning at 1, whether that lowers my crunch meter or not. She's a sick baby, I'll do what I have to to help her. Its negatively impacting my ability to parent and be a partner to my DH.

But I will takes the way earlier tips on how to lobby for change. I don't stand a chance against the formula companies, etc. but darn it, if I don't try, I can't say what would happen.

Oh, and as for the thought that wic is supplemental....Yep, and it doesn't supplement a darned thing for me - Anbd I'm okay with that....If they actually offered choices that would be realistic for women in less serious circumstances as far as EDs go. Even for a non strict ED, beans and carrots are about the only safe things (since juice in any large quantity certainly isn't healthy). Its about time this program actually stood up in support of BFIng. I've never even been offered a hand pump - through 2 kids, one of whom I worked out of home with. In fact, other than a bottle of prenatals I couldn't take (Need hypoallergenic of course ), they really haven't offered much in support of breastfeeding - INcluding information - I get told, wow...why not wean?? This is not about a preference. Its not, oh I dont like milk. Its Oh...My kid doesn't grow and has FTT when I drink milk. ANd yes, its time that WIC really stood up for infants and helped them get what they need not whats easiest, or mosdt effectively fills a company or industry's coffers.

[Ruthla]

I wonder how the elemental formula would taste if you put it in the blender with some ice cubes, sugar, and whatever kind of fruit (or other flavorings) you can tolerate.

[queenbean]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I wonder how the elemental formula would taste if you put it in the blender with some ice cubes, sugar, and whatever kind of fruit (or other flavorings) you can tolerate.

But would those things be compatible with her TED?

[hipmummy]

Ds had problems with eggs and dairy and I just dropped them. The elimination diets are so ridiculous. Babies change so much that you could be a quarter way through and they have grown out it and you are left hungry. Most allergies are protein allergies.
I have never and will never drink any type of milk. You don't need milk to make milk and the calcium from most milks is not the best form the one in the OJ's is much better absorbed. Find ou tif you can get the calcium oj on wic. I just pop a few tums and take a calcium citrate supplement and I eat alot of greens in the summer which are very cheap. I have had zero problems and we have been fine. I go to trader joes to get a lot of singular items like MCanns oatmeal which I do eat every morning because it is so healthy. The key with theses sensitivities is moderation. Just don't eat to much of one item. Keep it seasonal and on sale. There will plenty of variety in your diet and not a lot of repetition. Since I have done this ds has had only one bought of ezcema. Also there is a mast cell test that can be done on the baby. It is a round a thousand dollars some insurance co will pay for it. MOst mams's are shocked to find out that their babe has nor allergies, they are just cranky,coilicky or have a lactose imbalance. If you have a ny quations pm me. I have been down this road and I took the steering wheel and we are driving much straighter now. Sorry if this is an disorganized post. I am on no sleep for the past two days. ds is teething and there is no relief in sight.

[elanorh]

Originally Posted by hipmummy

Ds had problems with eggs and dairy and I just dropped them. The elimination diets are so ridiculous. Babies change so much that you could be a quarter way through and they have grown out it and you are left hungry. Most allergies are protein allergies.
<snip>

The key with theses sensitivities is moderation. Just don't eat to much of one item. Keep it seasonal and on sale. There will plenty of variety in your diet and not a lot of repetition. Since I have done this ds has had only one bought of ezcema. Also there is a mast cell test that can be done on the baby. It is a round a thousand dollars some insurance co will pay for it. MOst mams's are shocked to find out that their babe has nor allergies, they are just cranky,coilicky or have a lactose imbalance. <snip>

I'm glad that this has worked for you. Really, I am.

As a parent of two allergic kiddos, I must respectfully disagree with you though. Unless I'm misinterpreting your post? Because it sounds like you're saying that it's fine to eat the foods, as long as it's in small quantities and in rotation.

The key to children outgrowing allergies, is COMPLETE removal of the food in all forms from their diet/intake. SJ is allergic to cow's milk. It's cut completely from my diet. She developed eczema again a couple months ago and I figured out that the new body wash I was using had cow's milk in it. That's it. It was enough. Quit using it, the eczema is gone. And I know it was the body wash, because it disappeared during the three week trip we'd recently taken (when I wasn't using the body wash, either), prior to my "aha!" moment with the body wash.

I do think that far too much emphasis and credence is put on the "sensitivities" for breastfed infants - blaming "gassy vegetables" or "spicy foods" on an infant's colicky behavior. I think it even scares some moms away from breastfeeding because they think they have to give up all the foods they love. So if that's what you meant, then I agree with you. But if an infant has a food allergy, the only solution is for that food to be completely removed from his/her diet (and from mom's since mom is breastfeeding).

Probiotics (free of the allergen in question) are also helpful, per our allergist's advice.

Elimination dieting literally saved my oldest dd's life - she was hospitalized with FTT at about 3 months of age and 7 1/2 pounds; and if I hadn't been able to make my diet work, she'd have had to be on elemental formula until she was nearly 2 years of age. I'm sorry you find them "ridiculous." Done properly, in the proper circumstances, they can be a Godsend!

[Satori]

To the OP, if your a member of the POFAK board I highly recommend you check out my post here I've had 2 kids with food allergies from hell and finally found relief with #2

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I wonder how the elemental formula would taste if you put it in the blender with some ice cubes, sugar, and whatever kind of fruit (or other flavorings) you can tolerate.

Neocate is nasty no matter what you do to it. We do Elecare Vanilla here and its fine, kids love it actually (smells like Vanilla cake mix and we add cane sugar and dutch processed cocoa to it to make it chocolate flavor though the Nestle choc syrup is totally artificial and is often fine for allergic kids I didn't want dd getting all the colors and crap). There are a number of elemental formulas you can try, Elecare, Vivonex Pediatric,Pediatric EO28, Neocate Jr, Neocate 1+, off the top of my head. You can get flavor packets for the formulas too. I know Neocate just came out with a chocolate version but we thought it was pretty nasty. The trick is to get the flavored formulas and not the unflavored which are made for g-tube feeding but thats often what parents get given. We've been at the formula thing off and on for 6 years and have tried them all I think. So far Elecare Vanilla wins hands down.


I know its hard to accept formula feeding but were not talking about "oh its more convenient" or some lame excuse, this is for medical reasons. I have heard time and time again moms trying everything and finally agreeing to formula trials when the child needed the elemental stuff and most wish they had done it sooner. Look up USAmama's journey with formula and her dd, she was totally torn but is now happy with the decision becasue her dd is not just growing but thriving and before she was a pretty miserable child. I know it seems like the end of the world but there are some times when bf is not best and when your child is FTT and miserable on moms milk and nothing is working its time to try the formula.

[Equuskia]

Is it possible for mama to drink these flavored formulas? Mom gets a complete nutrition and baby gets the benefits of nursing? I guess it could be something to try before introducing formula to the baby. Although I do agree with you Satori, this is one of those extreme cases that formula was originally meant for.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Equuskia

Is it possible for mama to drink these flavored formulas? Mom gets a complete nutrition and baby gets the benefits of nursing? I guess it could be something to try before introducing formula to the baby. Although I do agree with you Satori, this is one of those extreme cases that formula was originally meant for.

yes mom can drink the formula but she would have to drink a lot of it and at $33 a can that gets $ fast. I'm guessing she would need a can a day. I know my 6 yr old will go though 1/2 a can a day and still ask for more. There could be a problem with mom though that no matter what she eats her milk is going to cause problems. My milk is like that due to a defect in my own body. I have to take strong prescription enzymes to be able to BF my dd. If I didn't take them I would have to wean her immediately becasue my milk is like poison to her its so hard on her body. (she gets colitis from my milk due to the defect)

[ruthieroo]

Best of luck with whatever you have to do! I was just wondering about the WIC thing...are there farmer's markets in your area that accept WIC vouchers? When I was growing up my family sold produce at a market and many of the vendors were registered with the farmer's market nutrition program so they could accept and redeem WIC coupons. Like I said, I was a kid so I don't know too much about it but it seemed like a good thing for a lot of families.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by ruthieroo

Best of luck with whatever you have to do! I was just wondering about the WIC thing...are there farmer's markets in your area that accept WIC vouchers? When I was growing up my family sold produce at a market and many of the vendors were registered with the farmer's market nutrition program so they could accept and redeem WIC coupons. Like I said, I was a kid so I don't know too much about it but it seemed like a good thing for a lot of families.

Thats only in the summer time. They give you $20 in vouchers and your lucky if you get any. I didn't the past 2 summers becasue they ran out before my appt came up.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by Satori

Thats only in the summer time. They give you $20 in vouchers and your lucky if you get any. I didn't the past 2 summers becasue they ran out before my appt came up.

Ours gives them out. I got $15 worth for the summer. Which would be nice, but I would spend that on gas to get there, and dh would have to take a day off work.