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Have you spent more trying to breastfeed/pump than you would have if you just switched to formula?  

post #1 of 25
5/4/08 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 
I have.

We get WIC so we would have gotten formula for free. Anything WIC didn't cover would have been covered by medicaid or BCMH. And since she doesn't take a bottle, we would have had zero cost there. It literally would be FREE for us to use formula.

But I pump my arse off. And spend a lot of money to get my baby mama's milk. I've spent money on pumps, pump parts, extra bottles, oodles of storage bags, and herbs to increase my supply. I might be forgetting something. The only thing I haven't spent money on is a LC because my midwife is one and she would never charge me for advice or help.

Some people just don't get it but even though we are broke half the time I wouldn't change a thing!
post #2 of 25
5/4/08 at 2:27pm
Oh yeah - tried evey herb in the book, got dom from canada at a not so cheap price, spent a couple hundred on LC's, 350 on a super duty breast pump...etc...etc...etc.. (i feel like this is transforming into a mastercard commercial)... having a super healthy 3 year old (still breastfeeding), priceless! lol
post #3 of 25
5/4/08 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ErinsJuneBug View Post
Oh yeah - tried evey herb in the book, got dom from canada at a not so cheap price, spent a couple hundred on LC's, 350 on a super duty breast pump...etc...etc...etc.. (i feel like this is transforming into a mastercard commercial)... having a super healthy 3 year old (still breastfeeding), priceless! lol

That would be an excellent mastercard commercial! I wonder if they would be interested...hmmm
post #4 of 25
5/4/08 at 2:34pm
Um, definitely And I've only been at it a week!

It's a good thing my ds is so yummy and squishy. I'd do anything for him
post #5 of 25
5/4/08 at 3:00pm
Well, I have spent a pretty penny thus far. BUT think of the future doctor's bills you are saving on.
post #6 of 25
5/4/08 at 3:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by loraxc View Post
Well, I have spent a pretty penny thus far. BUT think of the future doctor's bills you are saving on.

Actually I could even justify those since she will always be eligible for medicaid (assuming the system stays the way it is now).

Still worth it to me though!
post #7 of 25
5/4/08 at 11:32pm
Oh, we absolutely have, even with twins! Between renting the pumps (about six times before we finally bought one... we thought we were done with it each time), getting tea and herbs to increase supply, all the meds to fight various forms of thrush and mastitis, probably hundreds of bottles of acidophilus, and home visits from an LC, we have spent a whole lot of money on something that was supposed to be free. Not to mention the months of excruciating pain.

Is it worth it? I never even have to ask myself. My tiny, sick preemies have turned into sturdy, chubby, happy boobie boys. If people think I'm crazy, I just show them the nicu pictures and say "this is what they looked like BEFORE breastmilk."
post #8 of 25
5/5/08 at 6:45pm
Not yet, at least in actual cash cost, but my daughter is only 17 days old.

But I wonder about the emotional cost, and the number of times I've tried to nurse her either with or without the SNS and ended up in tears over it. And the amount of time I've spent having to convince myself that I shouldn't just give up and go to formula. Because the emotional cost does weigh heavily on me...both in the stress it causes me about being able to provide everything my daughter needs, in trying to find donor milk for her, in trying to feed her with the SNS attached, and more. It's very, very hard, and I know that no one (except for me) would knock my decision to give up if I did decide to do that...
post #9 of 25
5/5/08 at 6:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ErikaG View Post
Not yet, at least in actual cash cost, but my daughter is only 17 days old.

But I wonder about the emotional cost, and the number of times I've tried to nurse her either with or without the SNS and ended up in tears over it. And the amount of time I've spent having to convince myself that I shouldn't just give up and go to formula. Because the emotional cost does weigh heavily on me...both in the stress it causes me about being able to provide everything my daughter needs, in trying to find donor milk for her, in trying to feed her with the SNS attached, and more. It's very, very hard, and I know that no one (except for me) would knock my decision to give up if I did decide to do that...
I hear you. I to this day wonder whether it was worth it with ds. I lost his first several months and can never have them back. I hated him and resented him and had nothing left for my other kids.

I definitely spent more on nursing that on formula, and then had to buy formula anyway. LC's, pumps, SNS, shields (preemie only allowed bottles in NICU to start), Blessed thistle, brewer's yeast, fenugreek, domperidone, etc....
post #10 of 25
5/5/08 at 7:17pm
I'm just glad dh has a good job. We'd be homeless in attempts to bf otherwise.

pump-50/mo., 2 LC's-100, 2 peds-100, herbs-58/mo., dom-35/week, SNS-40 (used 1 week), 4 shields-6 ea.
not to mention the emotional cost...
and we STILL have to buy/give formula

I'd give anything if my baby would just nurse.
post #11 of 25
5/5/08 at 8:54pm
Yep. In time and money. DH are at it right now about it -

Formula/donor milk would be much easier on my families budget and emotional health - but not mine and I will STILL have to buy formula

Why cant we move on? Especially if we can give some donor milk?

This is a strong statement and Im not trying to step one anyones toes at all but it almost reminds me of abuse. "If I could only (insert behavior ) more then he/she wouldnt (insert abusive thing here) anymore" The emotions are much the same. I keep thinking I have control over this and I dont.

Why I feel like if I dont pump, take herbs, use devices, take medicine, etc I feel like a failure as a mom - Im not sure.
post #12 of 25
5/5/08 at 8:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by salt_phoenix View Post
I'm just glad dh has a good job. We'd be homeless in attempts to bf otherwise.

pump-50/mo., 2 LC's-100, 2 peds-100, herbs-58/mo., dom-35/week, SNS-40 (used 1 week), 4 shields-6 ea.
not to mention the emotional cost...
and we STILL have to buy/give formula

I'd give anything if my baby would just nurse.
Oh no she still isn’t nursing? I remember that you had some trouble after coming home, but i figured it would work out. I'm sorry mama! Is she latching on at all?

It was really nice for me once DD was eating solids because suddenly my inadequate supply was enough for her!
post #13 of 25
5/5/08 at 9:19pm
Yes
post #14 of 25
5/5/08 at 9:30pm
Yep- after pump rental, herbal supplements, SNS, nipple shields, storage bottles, etc and I still have to buy formula and bottles to feed her.
post #15 of 25
5/5/08 at 10:53pm
Just wanted to give you all a
post #16 of 25
5/5/08 at 11:55pm
We definitely spent a lot of money, and are already spending a lot of money in the hope that I'll be able to nurse this baby. Goat's Rue by itself is $50 a month, then there's the shatavari, fenugreek, teas, oatmeal (gag), etc. It's crazy.

Having been through low supply issues (due to IGT/PCOS) twice, I've set some limits for myself otherwise I don't think I'd be able to face nursing again. For one, I'm not going to pump at all--it never helped anyway. I'm going to try all the various herbs (though probably not dom-family hx of heart issues and I'm overweight; nor Reglan, strong family hx of depression) for 6 weeks, and if I don't have a good supply, I'll stop. The one thing I'd like to keep going for the longterm is the Lact-Aid, assuming the baby takes to it easily enough--I figure if I stop buying the galactogogues, I'll be able to afford several sets of tubing which will make it a lot easier.

Both times when I gave up nursing the boys, I felt such relief, though it was definitely mixed half-and-half with the guilt and grief. But if it's interfering with your ability to bond and be a good mother, then that's the time to switch.
post #17 of 25
5/6/08 at 11:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michelle Renee View Post
"If I could only (insert behavior ) more then he/she wouldnt (insert abusive thing here) anymore" The emotions are much the same. I keep thinking I have control over this and I dont.

Why I feel like if I dont pump, take herbs, use devices, take medicine, etc I feel like a failure as a mom - Im not sure.
: That's it exactly, and it's excruciating. I hate it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ErinsJuneBug View Post
Oh no she still isn’t nursing? I remember that you had some trouble after coming home, but i figured it would work out. I'm sorry mama! Is she latching on at all?

It was really nice for me once DD was eating solids because suddenly my inadequate supply was enough for her!
She latches quite well, actually... it's my supply and her non-transferral of milk that keeps us on the emotional rollercoaster.
post #18 of 25
5/6/08 at 10:39pm
Yes!!! Pump rental, herbal supplements, domperidone, mothers milk, nanny- due to all the pumping-45-60 minutes a time, tried renting a different pump thinking that was the issue..., nipple shields and still have to buy formula/bottles etc. I make only 12-16 ounces/day. I've been EP'ing ever since my LO had poor weight gain..though he latched wonderfully!

Now going through the guilt of weaning from the pump at 5 months I need my sanity and to enjoy my DS. This is such emotional turmoil----knowing I want to give my DS breastmilk but I also want to enjoy him and not be so tired(((((
This is so hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
post #19 of 25
5/7/08 at 2:43pm
Ack, yes. I'm going through the same stuff right now. With a piteously low supply, we're trying the SNS now, which is working well for LO - but I have serious doubts that my supply will ever be enough anyway, which leads me to think every morning at 3 AM "if I just gave up, I could sleep more and enjoy my baby more." Pumping is just an exercise in futility, yet I try again...
post #20 of 25
5/7/08 at 3:58pm
::

Oh my gosh!!! SNS's (yes multiple so I could have some at the ready in the fridge...), surgical tape for the SNS, Lact-Aid, Domperidone, Reglan, herbs, herbs, and more herbs, teas, more herbs, nipple shields, more herbs, bottles and formula and yes...more herbs. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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