Does Anyone Here Use Pre-Mixed Formula?

[mhsjax]

I could never justify the cost of pre-mixed formula! I found powdered to be easier anyway - just mix it with warm tap water.

YOu can justifiy it is you have a really sensitive baby with a very sensitive tummy and your pediatrician told you it was best for your child. If you can buy powdered great, we did with one of ours but 2 had to use pre mixed or there was much screaming and spitting up.

 

[merekc]

Another option is to try calling the formula manufacturers to see if they offer any assistance program. Other industries (i.e. drug manufacturers) offer discount programs for people who need assistance.

It is worth a try, they may help her out due to the baby needing it and the other financial burdens.

I'd also ask if they have any discounted units for sale. For example, irregulars (I'm not talking with the formula, I wouldn't do that, but maybe packaging that has changed). They may also have some with close expiration dates. If it is still in date, it's still good and they may be willing to offload it cheaper.

I would also have her contact any nurses she might know. Especially ones who work in pediatric or general practice offices. I know a teenager that had a nurse friend who gave her a box full of full sized samples when she had her baby.

She needs to also ask her doctor and the hospital (if she is still having contact with them) if they have any samples. If it is required and she needs help, I would ask everytime I'm in there.

Also check out online, see i there is anyone that sells it cheaper in bulk. Specifically I'm thinking Amazon and look for ones that are free shipping.

ETA: I would ask every person I thought could help for samples, coupons or places to purchase it cheaper. The worst they can do is say No.

 

[Disneychix]

With my preemie I was never told that I couldn't use powdered formula. He had reflux, was on 3 different meds and we switched him to powdered formula pretty much exactly when we ran out of what the hopsital sent us home with of the pre-mixed kind.
As a PP said, we used to make a whole days worth in a pitcher. I believe you can keep powdered stuff made in the fridge for 20+ hours.

If the OPs friend can switch to powder with no probs from the baby I say go for it.Not much you can do if the baby won't/can't make the switch. Find other ways to cut the budget I guess.

BTW, in the NICU they pretty much gave me 2 chances to breastfeed and DS never caught on in the amount of time I was allowed. I did pump for 6 weeks but eventually could not make enough to supply to DS. With a preemie the most important things are eating and sleeping (sleeping means growing!). Man, I'd like to tell the OPs friends MALE friend a thing or two!!

 

[woodkins]

DD was 3lbs and could not latch on at all, barely could drink from a bottle due to low tone in her mouth. She actually ate in ML' s not even an ounce at a time. We always used powdered formula. I would make a lot at a time and I would mix it in a blender to be sure that it was well mixed.

I also suggest going online and registering for the different formula companies. I know Similac and Enfamil send out tons of samples and coupons. She can also have family and friends sign up and they can share their coupons with her. I had my mother, sister and neighbors all sign up and share their coupons with me.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

This site quotes from 2009, and I haven't had a little one in a long time, so I don't know if 24 ounces is the right amount per day for a baby. Hope this helps. (Just a note, prices have increased a lot since 2009, so you do need to factor that in)

(Costs below are based on approximately 24 ounces of formula consumption per day.)

Pre-Mixed Ready-to-Feed Formula - Cost Per Day - $6.00, Cost Per Month - $180, Cost Per Year - $2,160

Concentrate in Cans (Mix with Water) - Cost Per Day - $4.60, Cost Per Month - $138, Cost Per Year - $1,600

Powdered in Cans (Mix with Water) - Cost Per Day - $3.75, Cost Per Month - $112, Cost Per Year - $1,350



Read more at Suite101: Cost Comparison of Breastfeeding and Formula: How Much Money Can You Save By Nursing Versus Formula Feeding? http://www.suite101.com/content/cost-comparison-of-breastfeeding-and-formula-a128286#ixzz12AusDd8R

A lot of babies are up to about 36 oz before they start solids and level out. So, that would be $270 per month for premixed, add in tax and inflation and the relative isn't that far off. That's assuming that there aren't any other costs being figured in (e.g. special formula for an allergic child).

Powdered is definitely cheaper, but still about $163 by those figures, so not pocket change.

I formula fed for good reason, and while I don't believe in badgering women into breastfeeding or making them feel guilty, I do think that women should be educated about the results of their decision, with the cost of formula being one of them.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

My premix was $7 a day. $49 a week.

 

[newddmommie]

We used pre-mixed liquid formula when i went back to work with dd. I will say to tell her to shop around for good prices. Our target was expensive and 1 can of Enfamil was $11. Dd went through one can a day so for a month it was about $300.

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

Premixed is very expensive when compared to powdered. Also, is the baby on a higher calorie formula due to being preemie? If so, that is a little more expensive also.

It is a great idea to sign up for different formula companies, but preemies should NOT be switched around on formulas between different companies...there are subtle differences that can cause some feeding intolerances and you can't switch up between preemie formula and regular formula due to the differences in the calcium and minerals that preemies need.

She needs to talk to her peds about all this too. If the baby is going home on regular formula, she can gradually start changing over to a cheaper version (a lot of people I know use the Walmart brand which is comparable to Enfamil) and I had to use Carnation Good Start with my daughter when she threw up everything else when I started supplementing my nursing.

Oh and nurses don't get free samples anymore...we used to get our formulas for free and then the companies stopped that.

 

[Green Tea]

I think infant formulas are just about the most tightly regulated item in grocery stores. I think I read recently that the store brand will be exactly as nutritious and safe as the name brand. She should do some research.

 

[jordansmomma]

I buy Similac Soy it is $14.89 a can. DD is only 3 wks old, I just bought my second can. But I also pump. My clinic always has coupons for formula on the counter.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

This site quotes from 2009, and I haven't had a little one in a long time, so I don't know if 24 ounces is the right amount per day for a baby. Hope this helps. (Just a note, prices have increased a lot since 2009, so you do need to factor that in)

(Costs below are based on approximately 24 ounces of formula consumption per day.)

Pre-Mixed Ready-to-Feed Formula - Cost Per Day - $6.00, Cost Per Month - $180, Cost Per Year - $2,160

Concentrate in Cans (Mix with Water) - Cost Per Day - $4.60, Cost Per Month - $138, Cost Per Year - $1,600

Powdered in Cans (Mix with Water) - Cost Per Day - $3.75, Cost Per Month - $112, Cost Per Year - $1,350



Read more at Suite101: Cost Comparison of Breastfeeding and Formula: How Much Money Can You Save By Nursing Versus Formula Feeding? http://www.suite101.com/content/cost-comparison-of-breastfeeding-and-formula-a128286#ixzz12AusDd8R

This sounds about right. Also, when the baby gets older she can switch to powder which will get less expensive.

My heart goes out to her. Having a preemie is hard enough, and then to get flack from * anyone* especially a man... Ugh.

Anywho... aren't babies worth it? Seriously? Even if formula was $50 a can, I'd still buy it, because having a new baby is priceless.

 

[wilderness01]

Preemies can't have the less expensive powder or concentrate stuff because their little systems can't handle the swings in concentrations, it could cause liver & kidney failure if I remember correctly. When I brought my DD home they made a huge deal about making no changes in her diet of any kind and inexpensive formulas were stressed to be avoided. Actually, I wasn't even allowed to breast feed her either. They had to keep track of my DD's input so I had to use a pump. But the stress made things bad and I didn't make enough milk so I ended up using the bottle formula and supplementing with breast milk at each feeding for the first 6 months of her life for the whole antibodies thing. When my DD came home from the hospital she was only drinking 2 ounces per feeding, but she had to be fed every 2 hours around the clock for a while. She gradually grew to need more and more but i couldn't switch to powder, even when we were away from home, for a long time.... maybe 6 -8 months. I seem to remember there being restrictions on how long to formula could be used after the can was opened.

I hate to say it but having raised a preemie myself the relative is being truthful Formula is very expensive... very very expensive. My DH had a good job and we didn't have the stresses you mention but still we went through A LOT of money. Especially considering that preemies are slower to come off the bottle than term babies. I am sorry this young girl is being made to feel bad about the situation but the relative may well be speaking in the Mom's best interests even if the advice isn't what she wants to hear.

FYI, I'm not part of La lecce or anything, those people made me feel like garbage that I couldn't breast feed so I'd never do that to anyone else. I'm just saying if cost is an issue formula is going to be a big issue. FYI we used Enfamil, check out their website for prices.

I really wish i could tell you this was an affordable option but I'd be lying if i did. i do think checking into getting insurance to cover it is worth the effort because formula is prescribed by the Dr's and with preemies there is no room for error.

Nice post.

Most preemies go home on Neosure. OP please tell your friend do not change the formula until ok'd by the pediatrician and follow up Neonatology Clinic. Standards are put in place for a reason and they should be followed.