How to support my child?

Question

I have a good job, I make pretty good money, but it very hard for me to support my infant son. When he was born, I was very sick and unable to breastfeed, but now (he is 11 weeks) I am finally off medication and able to breastfeed. I am trying to relactate but it is not going well, and for now he is still on formula. I am trying to get child support, but it may be a while. My question is, how can I bridge the gap? I make $50 too much for WIC, but I need help. I would get another job, but I already work 60 hrs a week and pay $150/week for childcare, plus I don't want my son to be in daycare any more than he already is. Any ideas from mom's who have been there? Please don't say dumb stuff like prostitution, I will report you.

Answer 1

Call a La Leche League Leader. She will help you with your breastfeeding problems for free. See if she can help you get a supplemental nursing system (SNS) that you wear around your neck and tape a little tube by your nipple. Your baby will get formula or pumped milk through that tube while nursing at the breast to help bring your supply back in.

What about baby's dad helping? Is he in the picture somewhere? Can he provide child care? Help pay for stuff? What about one of the grandmas or an aunt or someone helping with childcare?

Are there churches in your area that might help since you are just over the limit for WIC?

Talk to your baby's doc and you might be able to get some "free samples" to help keep costs down too.

Answer 2

well, thats a hard issue... I guess the only suggestion I could give is not to get another job, but start looking for a job with benifits and a good salary (that is what I'm having to do @ 13 weeks pregnant) I f you dont have a college degree or lots of experience in anything, try for a secretary job (they have GREAT benifits and aren't to stressful on the body.) Check local doctors & dentist offices, insurance companies, anything u can think of.
Do you have good credit? Maybe talk to a bank about getting a loan untl you get back on your feet (but make sure this would be a good decision, becuase for me it probably would be nice, but i would never be able to pay it back.)
Can family help? It's never easy when family is poorer too. My family is doing just fine, but doesnt have ALOT alot of money. But when I do need help somehow it seems they have secret funds somewhere. Have you talked to your parents, they may be able to pull a few strings to help you out.
Keep on that child support stuff, keep calling whoever is dealing with it and explain your issue. Money is urgent for you and the baby, they are people too and may be able to help it along quicker, dont letthem get away with "yea... ummm... it's gunna take a few more weeks...." Dont just say ok, put up a fight! The company name is at reputaion and they value your business.... my mother has really taught me that one.
Other than that... if you have a good friend or an elder or even responsible teenager, hire them to babysit a few days instead of daycare which is expensive. They will work for less and sometimes a friend will be happy to help if you provide lunch! :)
Remember that stress is never good, try to work through this and every spare moment try and get the ball rolling with a new income or babysitter, so the money starts coming in soon. Good luck and enjoy your new baby. You will be very proud looking back on yourself and seeing what you did to make life good for your baby. Good for you and keep trying!!!

Answer 3

Did you try to apply for public assistance? If you area single mom you may qualify for food stamp benefits and possibly even childcare expense assistance.
If that doesn't work, your local family assistance office should have a list of referrals including community centers and churchs that may be able to offer help.
Also, if you end up having to pay for formula, go online and get coupons. Sign up for new mother groups on formula websites like Good Start or Enfamil.
If worse comes to worse...maybe you should reduce your hours at work just enough so that you will qualify for WIC.
I know that you are probably really stressed and that this is a diffficult time, but stay strong and don't give up.
Good luck and Congrats on the new baby!

Answer 4

I'm sorry you're going through this. I hate that this has to be the way it is....you do what soceity tells you is the right thing to bring a child in the world, then you have to struggle with the fact that you did. In the grand scheme of things, somehting just isn't right with that picture.,

I admire your strength and courage.

I take it that the child's father isn't being supportive in anyway??Not just financially otherwise is there anyone in his family that could help you babysit?/ Mother, sisters...aunts?

Ok, get child support. You didn't create that baby alone and you shouldn't be expected to support it all by yourself either.

What about consulting the child developemnt or psychology departments of your local college, Perhaps a studentr would be willing to sit with your baby at your house or hers. I know you don't want to put a child in the hand of strangers, but that's what your doing at most daycare places isn't it? Hvae you checked into chuch daycare facilities?

I wish I knew what to tell you. I empathize with your situation. I really do. I think women like you have it more difficult than any other women...you make to much to get assistance (the same assistance that so many others abuse and the system lets them...how unfair!!!) and you don't make enough to fully support your child completely without being fiscally compromised.

I wish you the best.

Answer 5

Sorry to hear about your hard times. Can you take a few hours off of work for a week or two and use those pay stubs for WIC? Can you find a family member to babysit? My mom watches my 2 girls for $50 a week. Also try to buy diapers at Toys R' Us in the box. They are cheaper that way. They also sell their formula a little bit cheaper. Try eBay for clothes and also craiglist. There is also a yahoo group where people give away stuff for free. I hope all works out well.

Answer 6

You make too much for WIC? I thought 95% of single Moms would qualify for that. I have a friend at work that is married and receives it. Hmmm well help with daycare would be ideal, I'm sure you have thought of relatives and friends. Maybe if you let them know it would be temp, until you recieve support someone would be more likely to help out. You can check with your local churches too.

Good luck, does the father know you are in need?

Answer 7

So many people abuse the system these days it hurts individuals such as yourself who really need the help! Congrats to you-it sounds like you are very determined to make it!

I agree with the person who says to check with your doctor about getting free samples, but also ask him about coupons. Most formula companies (I know Similac is included) offer to send you coupons every month if you go to their website and sign up for mailings. I signed up for a friend of mine so that she can get her coupons and I can receive them for her as well.

Also check in your area about daycare alternative. If you start asking around you may find someone who would like to keep your son in their home. This may save you money on childcare. I like the idea of trying to find employment at a daycare, but if you have a really good paying job I wouldn't want to give that up for the few years that your son will be in daycare.

Keep trying to get that child support. While it may not be much, your son's dad is just as repsonsible for taking care of the child as you are, even if it's only financially.
Good luck!

Answer 8

Prior to getting started in my home business, I was a single mom of 2 children under the age of 2, living paycheck to paycheck on a job I hated, juggling debt, with no help or support from their father. I knew there had to be a way that I could be there for my kids and still be able to support them financially. But how?

After 6 years of searching through every type of bogus scam imaginable I found this organization. I plugged into the training and many resources they provide and have never looked back! My life has been completely changed--I'm able to work part-time from home around my children, they're happier, I'm happier. I'm no longer bound by the restraint of stress from debt or not being able to pay my bills or taking the kids for a night out for that matter!

We are currently interviewing for someone who is going to head up an entire organization and will be making selections soon. Depending on experience and skills which are assessed in a preliminary interview, we have a 6 figure position as well as a part-time position for $2,000-3,000 a month.

Call our office if you have any additional questions and for your free, confidential interview.

Have a Blessed Day!

Answer 9

First of all I think Its lame to say you will report someone for how they answer, You are asking for answers, if you dont like the one you get give thumbs down. With that being said....

I have never used wic, or any kind of aid. Im sure somewhere in your budget you could find ways to cut expenses. Like I cut out HBO, and the other movie channels, when i cut down on hours...... How about a family member to babysit, and cut that day care cost in half. I do not get child support fron the father, I have 2 kids, and one on the way. I chose to support them alone , he isnt worth dealing with.

If you feel you need the help of wic......... and your working 60 hours a week , cut down by about 4-5 hours and you would be under. Anything over 40 hours Im sure is time and a half anyway isnt it so you most likely wouldnt have to cut but an hour or 2.

Try pushing the child support a little harder. Tell the judge you cant afford formula.

Check out sams club for diapers/ wipes, they even have formula

Answer 10

I can't help much with the breastfeeding problem, but I can recommend a great resource for you. Check out the book Miserly Moms or go to the website at http://miserlymoms.com. It has tons of ideas to save money and make it all work.

Bless you for working so hard.