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Honestly, if she qualifies for WIC for free formula...she might want to consider skipping breastfeeding in favor of better quality sleep, easier work life and the ability to hand off half the feedings to the boyfriend or other helper.
Once kids reach kindergarten, the breastfed kids are statistically indistinguishable from the formula fed kids (once maternal education and income are taken into account). My doctor told me not to bother breastfeeding because I could use the extra sleep, then she pointed me to recent research that backed it up.
Studies in the Netherlands & Eastern Europe show that breast feeding positive outcomes are mainly limited to less infant ear infections and diarrhea. The supposed IQ boost and immune system stuff is not holding up to scrutiny in the carefully designed studies. Check out the "Skeptical OB" blog for breast feeding study links and or read "Is Breast Best?" by Joan B Wolf.
A mother's college education has more positive impact on a baby's long term development than breastfeeding, per many studies. She's less likely to drop out of school or end of with post-natal depression if she exclusively formula feeds.
When new mothers have problems breastfeeding it can lead to loss of confidence, and that's the last thing she needs. You had that experience yourself, so you know what I'm talking about.
I did! And I can laugh about it now. I went to the doc after the mastitis was gone and asked him to give me a shot to get my milk going again. It doesn't exist!!! Who knew!!!
Not me, that's for sure.
And when the baby is first born a new mom lacks confidence anyway. I plan to take some vacation time to help her the first few days. She doesn't know his but if her plan is to keep it, I will be there for her.
WIC isn't only income based. There has to be a medical reason to qualify too.
"Nutrition Risk" counts as a medical reason, which can be declared when the pregnant woman or mother claims to not be able to afford fresh vegetables and milk due to low income. In other words, the "medical qualification" is essentially poverty.
From the WIC website:
Quote:
Applicants must be seen by a health professional such as a physician, nurse, or nutritionist who must determine whether the individual is at nutrition risk. In many cases, this is done in the WIC clinic at no cost to the applicant. However, this information can be obtained from another health professional such as the applicant's physician.
"Nutrition risk" means that an individual has medical-based or dietary-based conditions. Examples of medical-based conditions include anemia (low blood levels), underweight, or history of poor pregnancy outcome. A dietary-based condition includes, for example, a poor diet.
And when the baby is first born a new mom lacks confidence anyway. I plan to take some vacation time to help her the first few days. She doesn't know his but if her plan is to keep it, I will be there for her.
I'll never forget the day I came home with my first child. I started crying when I realized I didn't know how to make formula. It was premixed in the hospital. After being in the hospital for 5 days with zero sleep, I was in no condition to read the instructions on the formula container. My brain was in a fog. Thankfully, my BIL was waiting at my house. He had all of the bottles sterilized, and he taught me how to mix the formula. I know it sounds pathetic. I was in my late 20s. I thought I planned for everything.
I did! And I can laugh about it now. I went to the doc after the mastitis was gone and asked him to give me a shot to get my milk going again. It doesn't exist!!! Who knew!!!
Not me, that's for sure.
And when the baby is first born a new mom lacks confidence anyway. I plan to take some vacation time to help her the first few days. She doesn't know his but if her plan is to keep it, I will be there for her.
I had problems with post-natal depression after my first pregnancy, and it was rough. I was in my 30s and happily married, I can't imagine being 19 and feeling the same horrible black cloud of anxiety descend over me.
It would have been 10 times worse if I'd have been breastfeeding. Thank God I had a sensitive and compassionate doctor who told me to dump the guilt and do what works for my family!!
"Nutrition Risk" counts as a medical reason, which can be declared when the pregnant woman or mother claims to not be able to afford fresh vegetables and milk due to low income. In other words, the "medical qualification" is essentially poverty.
Not really. Poor diet isn't simply poverty. There has to be evidence of a poor diet in the height/weight, blood work, etc. She won't qualify by simply saying she has a poor diet. Let's be realistic. I'm sure Jersey feeds her daughter a healthy diet.
I'll never forget the day I came home with my first child. I started crying when I realized I didn't know how to make formula. It was premixed in the hospital. After being in the hospital for 5 days with zero sleep, I was in no condition to read the instructions on the formula container. My brain was in a fog. Thankfully, my BIL was waiting at my house. He had all of the bottles sterilized, and he taught me how to mix the formula. I know it sounds pathetic. I was in my late 20s. I thought I planned for everything.
Oh boy, do I remember that!!
My son wizzed when I was holding his legs up wiping a poo on the changing table. Some of the pee squirted into his mouth. I started sobbing hysterically, yelling "What kind of mother lets her son pee in his own mouth?! Whaaaaaaa!!" My husband thought I'd completely lost my mind! He grabbed the baby wipe right out of my hand and said, "Honey, go to bed right now!"
I don't think anyone is ever really ready for a baby when they have their first.
Well, can't you try convincing your daughter to let this boy and/or this boy's parents have primary custody of this child? Is your daughter willing to pay child support for this child whenever necessary (it does appear like she is, but I just want to make sure)?
EDIT: I was just told by another user that your daughter should not let this boy and/or this boy's parents have sole custody, but rather, primary custody. I am not an expert on this topic (seeing as how I am currently childless), but I strongly appreciate this user's advice.
I just wanted to chime in and let you know how important your support is.
I was a teen mom. At 17 I was out living on my own and got pregnant (despite being on Depo). I had no college education, was working for minimum wage and was pregnant by my boyfriend - it was a recipe for disaster, but thankfully I had the emotional support from my mom and my boyfriend's (now husband's) mom.
They didnt help us out financially, but they were there to help us succeed and did occasionally help with hand me downs and babysitting every few weeks for a couple hours.
Thanks to thier support we were able to figure it out. My husband finished college first. He used his GI bill to attend classes online and stayed home with the baby while I worked. After finishing, I enrolled and received my AA. We are still together, have good jobs (pay lots of taxes!) and have a wonderful teenage daughter who is very close to her Grandmas.
Things can go wrong and they probably will. It's not easy, but with your support she can have the best possible chances to succeed - good luck.
Futurist never said he/she knew. It was simply offered as a possible option to explore.
Which is why I asked that .
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I was in my 30s and happily married, I can't imagine being 19 and feeling the same horrible black cloud of anxiety descend over me. 
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