Hi moms! I need your help so bad! My sister delivered a healthy baby boy last Wed. 1/13. On Saturday, 12 hours after being home from the hospital, the baby was having trouble breathing. They raced to the ER, and long story short, the baby's left side of his heart never developed. (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) They just completed 1 of 3 major open heart surgeries. My main point of this request is to help my sister get a breast pump. Her insurance will not cover the one the hospital has given her to use. ---even because of the medical situation. She is pumping so that eventually she can feed her first child through a syringe or tube. She can't nurse and won't be able to because she has to record all of the fluid amounts. Her only option is to pump, and now her insurance won't cover that. Do you know of any organization who helps moms in need, or contests I could apply for that would get her a free pump? With all of the medical bills, the last thing I want her to stress about is paying for something that's going to give her fragile little one the nutrients he needs. ANY help is extremely appreciated!
I can't thank you all enough for your generosity and kind words. I was able to get in touch with a lactation consultant through kellymom.com (thanks to a suggestion from one of you). I was able to get her a discounted pump. The lactation dept at the hospital told her she needs a new pump with a strong motor to keep up with her milk production. She wasn't eligible for WIC and the insurance turned down coverage even when the doctor called!
We also entered the Medela contest, which would have been a great pump for her to have. Unfortunately, we were not selected in January. For her to reapply for Feb doesn't work since she is already home and needed a pump.
Thank you again to all of you who posted or sent messages to my inbox. The kindness and support has been touching. As moms we go the extra mile for our own children, and it was moving to see how much support there was for a baby and a mom that you don't know. Thank you, thank you, and God bless you.
K.
If you can't get in touch with Julie P., drop me a line. I have a Medela Pump in Style that I'm no longer using. It was used for over a year and you'd want to get new tubes, etc., but it's in excellent shape.
I would try WIC, like a previous poster recommended.
I would also try her local La Leche League leader, for support, tips, and other suggestions. www.llli.org
It's terrible that the insurance company won't cover it. A hospital grade pump would be best, especially at the beginning, when she's trying to establish her milk supply.
If she qualifies for WIC she might be able to get one through there. My sister was able to rent one for free with a voucher that they gave her.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. There are other great suggestions but perhaps you can post an add on www.freecycle.org. Put the whole note above on there you put and someone might get it to you for free. You make a password to log on the website, then basically you get to search through people's "posts" to see if there's anything you want for FREE. Everything there is free. You can also make a "Want" item, in which you can post your wish for a breastpump.
Hugs, D.
Dear K. -
While I have no information regarding the breast pump situation, I do have a daughter (now 13) who was a preemie twin with HLHS.
Please private me if your sister would like to talk regarding the 'roller coaster' ride she is on! Please DO tell her I am sending good thoughts and prayers her way! There IS every reason to believe that her precious son will be well. The fact that he was FULL term (and of course that THEY were so diligent in getting them to the ER in such a timely fashion!)
The insurance companies CAN be a nightmare...but I am happy to share my experiences...both from an insurance point of view...as well as a the 'hospitalizations'...and how to keep your sanity point of view!
Take Care
And KUDOS to you for being there for your sis...she will need/appreciate your support!
Michele/cat
I have a Medela Pump In Style that I no longer need. It was only used for about 4 months. You are welcome to have it, but would need to order some replacement parts for it, like the tubing, etc. I have been wondering who to give it to, and would love to help someone in need. Please send me a message if you would like it.
they actually make some cheap breast pumps that are electric and not manual. it's $____@____.com is the link. maybe you and a few friends would be able to chip in and get it for her.
God bless your sister and her baby!
http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Breast-Feeding/Com...
Have they tried to get a pump paid for through the child's insurance?
K.:
Your sister needs to be using a hospital grade pump.... You can contact rental stations and ask if they will do a grant/ She also can push her insurance co to cover it/ the physician can assist on this.
warmly,
P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
I wish I knew an answer, but I also think she should try to get a doctor to recommend the breast pump and try the insurance company again. Is it also possible for her to borrow the one she is using from the hospital and give it back?
you know if your state has a wic program they will give you one if she is nursing
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/Mom-of-the-Month-Pro...
You can enter to win a free Medela hands free pump. With your sister's situation I can't imagine her NOT winning this! You need to write a blurb about how hands-free pumping with Freestyle could change her life. If her story is selected, she will win a Freestyle breastpump ($379.99 value) and be featured as Medela’s Freestyle Mom of the Month! Hopefully this helps!
God bless you, your sister and her precious little one.
