Naptime Blog

When I first became pregnant, I thought about everything of what was to come. Everything that we had to have to be prepared for this new little one. Making sure we were fully set with clothes, diapers, bottles, wipes, all of it. I wasn’t planning on breastfeeding at first because honestly, I thought I would be a little creeped out. Then around 7 months into my pregnancy, I was determined to breastfeed. I read up on all the benefits and it just can’t be beat. A few weeks before I gave birth, I had the colostrum but nothing major so when I asked my doctor about it, she said that after I give birth and we start to nurse, I will become engorged and produce milk. Well, after Shaughn was born we tried nursing and it pleased him so I was very happy. That was about it with my nursing happiness because I couldn’t produce. The lactation consultant was trying frequently so that I could get my full supply that I have been waiting for and reading about but we didn’t get very far. There was some milk but definitely not enough.

With my hormones racing as it is, I began to think of the failure I already was as a mother because I couldn’t provide milk for my child. The nurse came in with a 2oz bottle of Enfamil  Lipil and I bottle fed him. I still was set on breastfeeding. After talking with the lactation consultant again she suggested Fenugreek capsules to help out. So after we were released from the hospital I went into GNC and bought the biggest bottle they had. The first day I noticed that I did produce much more than I was in the beginning so I thought this was very promising but never could even produce an ounce. I rented the hospitals breast pump to measure how much I was producing into a bottle and was disappointed. I figured my son wasn’t fussy so maybe he was satisfied and I continued to try. Well day 2 of Fenugreek and I swore I was a pancake house! Everything, and trust me girls, I mean EVERYTHING, on my body spelled of maple syrup. Breast milk, sweat, urine… I mean, at least I didn’t smell bad, but I wanted waffles all the time now!

During the first week of my son’s life in the outside world, I became sick with a bad cold. I didn’t want to get him sick so I kept my distance from him and tried to pump so he could still get breast milk. My already low supply quickly lessened and I asked my doctor what to do. She prescribed me Reglan which has a side effect of milk production. That worked little. I gave in to the fact that I just couldn’t do it and started feeding Shaughn Enfamil. When he was 2 months old, I would walk into Walmart every few days and pick up the can of Enfamil for $26 when I finally looked on the shelf above it and saw Parent’s Choice Milk Based formula and their amazing price. I remembered the name and decided to go home and google it before giving it a try because regardless of price, I needed to be sure what I was going to feed my child. After searching all the ingredients and comparing notes, I came across a forum that spoke highly of the brand. I was convinced!

In comparison, Shaughn has been less gassy and seems to really enjoy his mealtime. The formula even has less bubbles at the top after I shake it to mix which I think is pretty neat. I would never do anything just to save money that could put my family or myself at risk but I have truly been impressed with Parent’s Choice. Even though I was saddened by my lack of ability to breastfeed, I didn’t also have to be depressed with an empty wallet because I was saving so much! Current calculations on their website show that I save $719.84 over a year’s time. Hey, I’ll take that bonus ANY day!

-Krystle