NLIC.org

Marcus Said:

Breast pump and hospital?

We Answered:

When I had my son, my insurance, etc, provided for the hospital giving me the personal pump parts (the tubing, etc), and then the hospital let me use their pump(s) when I was there after a c-section, and because my son was in the NICU, they had a pump room at the hospital after I was released. They had Medela. The lactation consultants helped figure out which style of hospital grade pump worked best for me, and then they gave me a two page list of people/businesses that would rent them to me. It was up to us to try to claim the rental amout from my insurance company. I was able to rent a Medela Symphony (retails runs new at $1500!) pump for something like $40 a month (this was a year ago) - and the agent that rented them out was able to get it to me that day that we called - she personally delivered it to me in the hospital! It was a very good deal for me! It was the only eletric pump that sucked hard enough for me to get any amount of milk out. I wasn't producing that much at all, compared to other people! I was able to return it when I was done with it, too (I eventually gave up trying to pump as I was only producing half an ounce total every couple hours.)

So, I highly recommend hospital grade pumps, and renting them is an excellent option.

Dave Said:

health questions, not very many. I had 60 but i answered 45. Please help?

We Answered:

Thank-you for the brain exercise. These questions are always fun.
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Lena Said:

5 week old swallowing a lot of air while nursing?

We Answered:

It sounds like he just needs to perfect this himself. If this is his first week nursing directly from the breast - then this is still new to him and he just needs to figure this one out.

Use Kellymom.com to look for latching help - they have great articles there, but it sounds to me like he's just a beginner who will figure this out in no time.

Johnnie Said:

Electric breast pump--expense covered by Blue Cross PPO insurance?

We Answered:

Mine didn't and my dd was premature, but I was not with Blue Cross at the time. BUT the benefits to the baby, (perfect food supply, anitbodies, no or lower cost of formula, etc) is worth it in the long run. Not sure what they run today, but the cost of formula has got to be so much more than the pump itself. AND be sure to splurge for the dual pump, uh, to express both at the same time, sooo much quicker, and they usually come with a built in cooler section to store the milk in, if she is pumping away from home.

Debbie Said:

Questions about WIC/Medicade in Illinois?

We Answered:

I will try and answer your questions. I currently have WIC and a breastpump. I am not sure of the guidelines of which they use to give them out. When my son was born he was 6lbs 14 oz and the lactation consultant told me to call our local office and speak with the breast feeding coordinator, bc his weight alone qualified us. The pump is a double electric pump and it is fantastic ( have had it for over a year now). I would suggest calling your local WIC office and speaking with their coordinator and seeing what are the requirements to qualify. Do it well in advance, so you can have time to plan what your wanting to do IF you don't qualify. ((also just in case you do not already know.. you qualify for WIC now. They go on income (how much you get goes on how much money you make) and being pregnant they consider your family size to be 2...))
As for the Medicade.... We have this also. I was 25 and employed when I got pregnant. We qualified because we didn't make enough money to support three people. I suggest with this to apply.. and speak with the local office. They will want to know how much money you make.. how much do your parents help (paying rent to them will require reciepts... you can get a book at wal-mart or similar store.) Public Aid requires reciepts as part of your application process. The age part is the big question.. I can't remember the age that they consider you an "adult" no matter who you live with. It's between 21-23.. sorry don't know the exact age.
I will probably get thumbs down, but I don't care. These programs exist for people who need help. We are not bad "poor" people. Pregnancy does happen while on BC pills.

Hope I have helped you, at least a little bit. Congrats!!

EDIT: i agree with a previous poster.. make sure you state you maintain seperate households.. and that you buy your food seperatly)
Oh and also... i live in Illinois too.