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juststartn Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007 Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1321
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Posted: May 16 2007 at 8:51pm | IP Logged
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The boys are on a special preemie formula...you know, one of those expensive kinds...sigh. I am pumping as much as I can, and getting enough for one boy...but will obviously have to supplement unless and until my supply meets up with demand.
I'm taking fenugreek, and eating oatmeal, and drinking a ton of water. And pumping and pumping and pumping (or so it seems).
But I am hoping some of you ladies out there might be the recipients of those checks that the formula companies send out. If you do, and don't use them, and want--or could--send them to me, I'd appreciate it. They are on Similac, and the dr's want them to stay on that once they get home (esp as they are dealing with reflux issues)...we don't qualify for WIC (altho I did check)....so the cost of the formula is going to be enormous, at least for the foreseeable future.
SIGH. Please, if you have any of those checks and want to send them to me, pm me...and I'll pm you my snail mail address...
Thank you ladies..
Rachel
__________________ Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
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kingvozzo Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2005 Location: Maine
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Posted: May 16 2007 at 10:37pm | IP Logged
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Oh, Rachel,I wish I had Similac coupons for you. I'm getting coupons for Good Start. Hoping lots comes your way!
__________________ Noreen
Wife to Ed
Mom to 4 great kids and 10 sweet ones in Our Lady's arms
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JSchaaf Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 22 2005
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Posted: May 16 2007 at 11:05pm | IP Logged
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Please ask to speak to the formula rep at the hospital. They can often get you a case or two to start you off with at home.
Also, make sure your nurses know of your need. Some formula can be set aside for you.
Jennifer (former NICU nurse)
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amyable Forum All-Star
Joined: March 07 2005
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 6:41am | IP Logged
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I couldn't find a phone number, but definitely go to the Similac Website and join for their coupons and samples, if you haven't already. If I get any in the mail, I'll definitely send them your way!
I don't know if they do this any more, but I used to see these coupons for sale on ebay all the time too. :) You don't save as much that way, but it's better than nothing.
I definitely understand the expensive formula thing - my 3rd DD was on Alimentum ready to feed (the only stuff she tolerated) from the time she was 9 month until she was 2. $$$$$$$!
Praying for you!
__________________ Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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juststartn Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 10:07am | IP Logged
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I signed up at the Similac website last night. Whew. Something is better than nothing, should I have to pay out of pocket. Tricare might pay for it, but then again, maybe not...
I'm going to have to find out one way or the other.
I'll definitely mention this to the nurses at the hospital when I go up tonight. They are a great bunch of ladies up there...
Thanks, ladies.
Rachel
__________________ Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
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Bookswithtea Forum All-Star
Joined: July 07 2005
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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I'll watch and see what comes in the mail (my OB apparently signed me up for all the formula company junkmail when I went in for my first appt. If I see anything Similac, I'll pm you for an address.
__________________ Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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JSchaaf Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 22 2005
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 10:29am | IP Logged
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A couple of questions for you:
Is your hospital a Baby Friendly one, in full compliance with the guidelines?
If yes, the hospital will not accept free formula from the manufacturers and probably will not give you extra formula.
(here's the blurb from the WHO: "What about purchasing formula? Must my hospital purchase all formula used to pass?
Yes. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative supports the World Health Organization Code on the Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes ("WHO Code"). The WHO Code stipulates that health care facilities and professionals neither accept nor offer free or low-cost substitutes for human milk. In keeping with the WHO Code, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative asks facilities to purchase all
infant formula in the same manner as it purchases all other supplies. Additionally, facilities should not give infant formula samples, literature, or other items bearing the name of an infant formula product to breastfeeding mothers")
If no (and most military hospitals fall in this category) the hospital is given all it's formula free from the manufacturer. Even in a military hospital, you are paying a daily room and board rate for the babies. I would ask the nurse if you can take 2-3 bottles of the ready made formula each day. Either that or they can refund the board charge since you are providing breastmilk!!
I don't know if Tricare will cover formula if it's on the shelf at the commissary, walmart, target, etc. Research what's NOT on the shelves (every company makes a preemie formula, some are available on the shelf, some not) and ask for a prescription for the one not readily available. That may be the one Tricare covers.
Please let me know specifically what formula the boys will go home on (22 cal, 24 cal, low iron, lactose free, etc. etc) I still talk with formula reps from my old job and I can see what I can do.
Jennifer (Former active duty Air Force NICU nurse!!)
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juststartn Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 11:37am | IP Logged
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Well, I looked on the Tricare website last night, as far as food/nutritional/supplements and what is covered...and it *appears* that formulas (specialty) are covered--including the one that the boys are on now (a 22 cal Similac Neosure Advance)....I'd just need to get a Rx for it...
However, the boys are not at the military hospital, as we were transfered out due to lack-of-availability (there wasn't any room in the NICU when they wanted to induce me) to the closest level III NICU in the area (which happens to be a 3 min drive from my house). I don't know how that would affect anything...I've had all of my other dc at the on-post facility, and never had to deal with preemies, either, so I'm in a whole new ballpark (not to mention twins, boys, DH leaving while I have two newborns and three other dc for 18mos in a combat zone.....sigh).
I'm just trying to get everything lined up before the boys start coming home. Don't want David to get home and not have a thing for him to eat, iykwim (ok, he'll hopefully take up nursing once he gets home and we can really work on it consistently, but ykwim). I'll still be pumping for John, anyway, so that'll be a time-taker....
Any and all help I can get would be great. They are already taking 2+ oz ea at a feeding, so not too bad. And they are each gaining about an oz a day, so hopefully I will have two five pounders home...soon....
Rachel
__________________ Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
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doris Forum All-Star
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 2:52pm | IP Logged
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I can't help with the formula, but I do know that fennel tea is supposed to help with milk supply -- drink a cup every four hours and try to avoid caffeine too.
HTH.
__________________ Home educating in London, UK with dd (2000) ds (2002), dd (2004), ds (2008) and dd (2011).
Frabjous Days
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Elizabeth Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
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Rachel, PM me your address; I have some Milkmaid Tea that I definitely don't need.
__________________ Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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KC in TX Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2005 Location: Texas
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Posted: May 17 2007 at 10:03pm | IP Logged
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Rachel,
Will the boys have an on-post pediatrician? That usually helps with getting items at the pharmacy (usually, the pharmacy especially at big installations carry things like specialty formulas). You can also get that prescription. I would look into it. Because of they were preemies, would the boys qualify for EFMP? Also, how long do they have to be on this formula?
I know that people who need these specialty formulas can get them through Tricare.
__________________ KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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juststartn Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007 Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1321
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Posted: May 18 2007 at 3:37am | IP Logged
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They will have an on-post pediatrician, once we get released from the hospital. But before then, no. So I'll have to get it prescribed before we even leave (cause the chances of us getting an apptmt with an on-post ped terribly quickly is about 50/50.
I asked about the prescription issue last night, and the off-post dr's will prescribe it--the only question is whether or not the post pharmacy will have it and will fill the Rx.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
Rachel
__________________ Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
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