The other day, my husband and I were talking about how I'll go about feeding our new baby once he comes out a month from now. I told him that I'll do mixed feeding, meaning I'll breastfeed and bottle feed at the same time. The reason: so it won't be difficult on my part to let baby get used to baby formula feeding once I returned to work. Just practical, I guess. But Daddy said, if he'd be the one to decide, he'd let me do breastfeeding alone because it's not only more nutritious for baby but it will allow us to enjoy more savings too.
I do agree with Daddy. Actually in the United States, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed because breast milk is not only the healthiest option but it is also free, allowing parents to save up to $2,000 for baby formula costs. However, there are some who choose to go on formula feeding rather than breast feeding for whatever reason. So, what the WIC does is that it introduced a new food package to encourage breastfeeding. Now, if a mom chooses the breastfeeeding package, she will no longer receive any infant formula. And if she chooses mixed feeding or total formula feeding, she will receive 13% less formula as compared to what was given last year. With these options, a mom will think otherwise about choosing formula feeding over breastfeeding because she will now have to pay more for buying regular formula on her own.
That's a great idea they got there at WIC. Of course, more mothers will be encouraged to do breastfeeding because less support is now given for infant formula. You know, if I'm not working, I'd be more than willing to do exclusive breastfeeding too. But then again, a few months after giving birth, I need to get back to work, which only means that baby has to settle on formula feeding while I'm away. Anyway, I'm looking at buying a less expesive formula so it won't be too hard on the budget. I tried this baby formula savings calculator to compare the cost of the brand I used to get for the baby in between and the Parent's Choice brand. Guess what? I could save with the latter as much as $56.94 per month. So, now I know what to get for my newbord, there's no doubt about that.
I do agree with Daddy. Actually in the United States, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed because breast milk is not only the healthiest option but it is also free, allowing parents to save up to $2,000 for baby formula costs. However, there are some who choose to go on formula feeding rather than breast feeding for whatever reason. So, what the WIC does is that it introduced a new food package to encourage breastfeeding. Now, if a mom chooses the breastfeeeding package, she will no longer receive any infant formula. And if she chooses mixed feeding or total formula feeding, she will receive 13% less formula as compared to what was given last year. With these options, a mom will think otherwise about choosing formula feeding over breastfeeding because she will now have to pay more for buying regular formula on her own.
That's a great idea they got there at WIC. Of course, more mothers will be encouraged to do breastfeeding because less support is now given for infant formula. You know, if I'm not working, I'd be more than willing to do exclusive breastfeeding too. But then again, a few months after giving birth, I need to get back to work, which only means that baby has to settle on formula feeding while I'm away. Anyway, I'm looking at buying a less expesive formula so it won't be too hard on the budget. I tried this baby formula savings calculator to compare the cost of the brand I used to get for the baby in between and the Parent's Choice brand. Guess what? I could save with the latter as much as $56.94 per month. So, now I know what to get for my newbord, there's no doubt about that.
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7 comments:
Phoebe I used my milk along with baby formula too and it does help tremendously when it's time to go back to work. Since I'm a WIC mom (preemie twins) I had to use Similac since it's the WIC formula in Virginia, but my vouchers ran out at the end of every month and I saved a lot by switching to Parent's Choice Infant Formula when I had to pay for it myself. It costs half as much and the boys liked it. This is a good tip since the new WIC program does not supply as much formula to the moms.
With all 3 of my kids I breast feed the baby then pumped and froze what ever extra breast-milk I produced that day. Once I went back to work, I used the frozen breast-milk. Once that supply was gone I used the Parent Choice formula that is enriched with DHA and ARA; it's really a great brand. When you have to buy the formula yourself; cost is a big issue. I blog about my experiences of mothering 3 small kids.
oh-moma.blogspot.com
Also, I know a lot of mom's who will pump while at work and store the breast milk. So if you are really committed to nursing exclusively you can still do it while working. I'm pretty sure companies are required to give you time to do this as well.
I loved the advent hand pump... easy... quick and portable.
Parent's Choice also makes an organic option. Which is nice.
Avoid all premix formula too risky with the BPA scare.
I also recently had a guest post on all the great cloth diaper options that are currently available and how much money can be saved using that option. I wish I'd read it before my kids were both pretty much done with diapers.
I was late for this opp. This would be something nice to write about sana.
naku momi, if i were you purely breatfeed mo na lang po....you can pump and store the milk naman in the freezer. That was my plan before sana, pero i became so impatient with my milk (kasi konti lang), kaya tuloy partially breastfed lang din bebe ko tapos 3 months ko lang nagawa, sayang lang natuyuan ako agad.... inggit ako dun sa sobra sobra ang gatas- a lot of my colleagues here at work are pumping.
Its much better for the baby.
Just like Darly, I got envious (I seldom get envious!!!) with moms who were blessed with overflowing milk! I wasn't. But if I were to choose, breastmilk is the best for babies, so the slogan after a baby formula ad goes! :)
Wow. I kind of think the WIC program sucks. Since you do need to work, all that it is doing is making you worry about paying for formula... I honestly don't get why they think we're not responsible enough to make our own choices. Why can't they encourage women to breastfeed who want to, but still give financial support so that you can use the best formula possible?
Anyway - great blog! Good luck with your new baby... please don't stress too much about the feeding issue - the studies are not as cut and dry as the media makes them out to be. Breastfeeding is great, but so if formula feeding, and doing mixed feeding is a brilliant way to go - so kudos to you!
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