Question

Has any one had a baby that has been on special formula? I just found out my 2. 5wk old needs nutramigen which is SOOOO expensive compared to any other formula. Any formula saving tips? Or any fellow moms child that needed this. I could cry.  

Answer 1

My son is on nutramigen. We got on WIC because the 10 cans a month he goes through is like $250! The doctor can write a prescription for it

Comments

@avi5 I wish we qualified for wic

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But from what I’m calculating that’s going to be the monthly cost

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@erme Yep we pay over $250 a month for Similac Alimentum and don’t qualify for WIC, either. Try Amazon! And good luck  

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@avi5 my son was on alimentum and that was about the cost. My daughter was on puriamino and it could only be ordered online and was $50 a can! $500 a month!  

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@gastrulation it’s insane. I wasn’t going to go back to work but now with this I feel like I have to

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@erme I had to and have hated it. We did qualify for WIC though and that has been a godsend!  

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@gastrulation that’s awesome! I’m sure that helps so much!  

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@erme I would maybe see if you qualify for WIC, it’s not gonna hurt to ask. Also my sons doctors office gave us a bunch of sample sized cans

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@avi5 I looked up the income qualifications and we won’t b

Answer 2

Yes my daughter was on that first and then got switched to elacare formula (only sold with a prescription). But when she was on nutramigen I asked for a proscription so it could be ran through my insurance. Also, if you have WIC in your county, they can provide it to you too with a doctors note.  

Answer 3

If there are any JBF sales in your area, they usually have samples.  

Comments

@hierocracy there are! I’ll have to look next one

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Yes, the ones here in MN usually have them. There’s a sale coming up this weekend I’ll check it out to confirm but I know I got one there before

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BTW the pediatrician had recommended this for my second child and tried it but no difference and I went back to giving my daughter the regular kind, problem went away on its own. Turned out she didn’t need it after all.  

Answer 4

Our insurance covered ours. Your doc can write a script for it. We only paid $25 a month and it was delivered to our door!  

Comments

Edited to add: we were not on medicare but had BCBS.  

Answer 5

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but you can get a prescription for it.  

Answer 6

My son is on elecare. It’s prescribed by his GI doctor and supplied by a medical company. All covered by insurance. Every once in awhile we get a bill and then we have to call the insurance company to figure out why they didn’t cover it. They fix the issue every time. So thankful it’s covered since it’s 50$ a can.  

Answer 7

Yes my son was on Nutramigen. It was what he needed so we went without in other areas to make it work.  

Answer 8

Some pediatrician can write you a prescription for the formula and then health insurance will pay for most of the cost.  

Answer 9

Our first pediatrician insisted my little one needed special formula after special formula, as he was allergic to milk. After hundreds of dollars worth of formula that upset his stomach. and a second opinion. she was wrong! I would consider getting a second opinion. I put my baby through hell, and the final straw was when I said “I don’t want to use him as a guinia pig, ” and she said “well sometimes you have to. ” We left that pediatrician and have never looked back. It might be totally legit. Not trying to say it’s not! But I would make sure you agree with the doctor (I never did and always thought I was just “mom” and dismissed my concerns).  

Answer 10

You can sign up for discount coupons on their website!  

Answer 11

My brother is almost 35 and had to have this formula. Back then my parents special ordered it by the case at the pharmacy as it was cheaper but I remember how expensive it was for them in 1985 even!  

Answer 12

I exclusively pumped for a whole year, I found that you need to be on a super bland diet for babys sensitive stomach, I also had to put this milk thickener & it solved his tummy problems  
https://bit.ly/3at37ZN

Answer 13

I’m sure yiu have done this but google nutramigen assistance programs. Sign up for coupons as others have stated. Have you looked into the helping hands for special kids program? See if you qualify?  

Comments

Rxassist. org is the site to find this.? Rxhope. com is a site for your doc to go if you do not have prescription coverage (& don’t qualify for WIC) for it. Might ask them to help.  

Answer 14

My son had a milk protein intolerance. He was on alimentum. (I may be spelling that wrong. ) His pediatrician gave us a lot of samples. I would call every couple weeks and they would give me 3-5 smaller sized cans. We still had to buy a lot, but it did help!  

Answer 15

Mine had to have special formula. The dr sent her home with sample cans. I ended up having more than necessary

Answer 16

Highly HIGHLY suggest the mom trade groups I’m in - people sell it every day there- we trade store pick up for similac/enfamil checks - my daughter is 8 months on ready to feed formula I never pay more than 1$ per bottle! Also make sure baby has a TRUE allergy to milk protein - ALOT of peds are putting babies on this and it not necessary!  

Answer 17

Check with your insurance, it could be covered. Ours was. huge savings!  

Answer 18

Are you eligible through WIC? And maybe bulk stores like Costco or Sam’s Club.  

Answer 19

My first two needed it. I got WIC, check into that. You can get nutramigen with a prescription from them. Also get in touch with enfamil via email and explain the situation. They'll mail you coupons.  

Answer 20

Both of my kids took nutrimagen. So expensive. I received WIC that paid for most of the month.  

Answer 21

I bought it in bulk on Amazon. But every time you go to the doctor, ASK FOR SAMPLES. They are more than happy to give it away!  

Answer 22

Like what others have said ask pediatrician for samples every couple weeks

Answer 23

We needed Nutramigen as well, so sorry this is something you are going through. Hopefully as your little one gets older they will outgrow the intolerance! We got a TON of samples from the Dr. We also reached out to Enfamil and they ended up sending some coupons as well, also try having the pediatrician write a prescription for it as some insurances will cover some of the cost.  

Answer 24

I tried to file through insurance and it was too expensive so I found it for less on EBay and sometimes even Amazon

Answer 25

Both my kids had to use the nutramigen. I use to purchase the liquid from Amazon. I also signed up coupons through the company. Some health insurance companies will pay for it if you can prove it’s medically necessary. Mine did not.  

Answer 26

My son was on the next level above that. 45 a can - for us insurance paid  

Answer 27

My 7 month old is on the same formula and has been since about 3 months old. Get coupons if you can. Have your family sign up to receive coupons and apply for WIC if you meet the qualifications.  

Answer 28

Both of my kids needed it. I lucked out and qualified for WIC and my kids pediatrician also gave me “samples” during their visits.  

Answer 29

Get samples from the doctor every time you go. That’s what helped us. It’s so expensive!  

Answer 30

Our WIC covered that. It was a god send.  

Answer 31

Ask Dr office and manufactures for coupons, write company an email telling them how great their product is

Answer 32

Both my babies were allergic to my breastmilk. and any formula there after so we had to use nutramigen also! Super expensive! At every wellness baby check up ask your clinic if they can provide you with some formula to help alleviate some cost. My clinic also previded me with manufacturers coupons. but i found that Target was the cheapest using my Target redcard because i got 5% back and during the sales would get some giftcards!  

Answer 33

Email the company and ask if they have coupons.  

Answer 34

My daughter had to be on it. Contact your insurance company. Mine covered some of it

Answer 35

Insurance covered half, as well as My drs office called the company and asked for samples. I also called and ask for samples.  

Answer 36

I have some enfamil coupons if youf like. 5$ off. ‍♀️

Comments

@accord are they for this formula or the neuropro? I have some but they can’t be used with this formula so I emailed the company. Hoping for some new ones

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@erme if there’s a buy buy baby near you, they will stack the coupons.  

Answer 37

Same with us. We had no solutions. It was sooo expensive but it worked.  

Answer 38

My son was on Alimentum and my daughter was on Puramino. So expensive! WIC was a lifesaver for us.  

Answer 39

I've heard you can get your ped to write a script for it.  

Answer 40

Buy buy baby stacks the formula checks if you are near one.  

Answer 41

We did soy for our oldest daughter and bought Walmart brand formula to cut the cost when we were told she needed special formula. Good luck!  

Comments

@snub28 unfortunately they don’t make a generic of this kind.  

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@erme I think that's what they wanted my daughter to be on and we opted to try something totally different and went with soy because she was also having trouble with lactose. We just decided we knew our baby the best and we would try what we could afford and make life easier first before we went with their super expensive options.  

Answer 42

I was able to get a ton of free samples from the hospital. You should ask or write to the company and ask them for coupons.  

Answer 43

Sign up for coupons on Enfamil’s website. Our daughter was on it too and we didn’t qualify for WIC. We obviously couldn’t go without. It was super tough but the coupons we received helped a bit. I think they were usually $3-$5. Family members or friends could sign up too to receive them. Just make sure you watch the expiration dates on the coupons so you don’t lose out.  

Answer 44

Try WIC the income guidelines are pretty high and also see if your pediatrician can give you samples call the company for coupons also check to see if Walmart has a comparison brand we use gentalese but buy the Walmart brand and it's way cheaper

Answer 45

Dude, formula is outrageous in general. I learned that with my first child after I stopped nursing around 3 months. With the second I nursed to a year and didn’t have to buy any formula ever. Now with the 3rd, he’s 20 months and I feel like it fills in the nutrition gaps because he doesn’t eat much variety. I feel for you. I know that’s tough.  

Comments

@youthen I so badly wanted to breastfeed because of the cost but my pcos made it impossible. Atleast normal formula is literally half the cost of this stuff, if not cheaper ‍♀️ I’m hoping in a few months he’ll be able to tolerate it better. He also was a preemie so I don’t know if this is the cause of it all

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@erme I’m so sorry. I hope you find a way to get through all this. Also, I don’t know if you’re open to it but there are groups for mom to mom milk sharing. I was in one during the early days after this last baby because I had an over supply and he wouldn’t take a bottle. So, I literally didn’t know what to do with all the milk I was having to pump and freeze. I donated to 2 other babes that were allergic to formula, and their moms were just so thankful. Good luck to you.  

Answer 46

Have you asked the Peds if they have coupons for you if you don’t qualify for WIC. My son was in special formula and the offices helped me found coupons and WIC. I didn’t know about WIC until that happened.  

Answer 47

We got a note from the doctor's saying my daughter needed it medically and our insurance covered 80% of the cost. We actually had to be on Similac which is the ready to serve option of Nutramigen because the powder was too hard to digest for her, so more expensive. And she needed it 15 months. I'm seeing in the comments you wanted really badly to nurse, been there momma, I feel you. I was able to nurse my second daughter and ultimately both experiences were beautiful and my girls are both healthy and loved equally <3

Answer 48

See if your health insurance covers it. I thought I heard a while ago some insurances will pay if medically necessary m, but not 100% sure

Comments

Yes! It was covered by my insurance because medically necessary.  

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@recruitment that’s great!  

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@erme definitely speak to your pediatricians office. If medically necessary they can write you an Rx. I used to pick up a month's supply at a time, by the case, from my local pharmacy. Good luck!  

Answer 49

Ask the pediatrician for samples from the reps. I had triplets and they gave me 1-2 cases of formula each visit. call the company and ask for help!  

Answer 50

Do you qualify for WIC?  

Answer 51

Write to the company as well, they will start sending you coupons to use

Answer 52

My child had to have special formula but we qualified for WIC and they bought most of it with a doctors order. Also could get coupons to help.  

Answer 53

Do they sell through CVS? We get our enfamil AR there and use cvs bucks and the checks and get the biggest size for $15.  

Answer 54

That can is expensive why not smilic sensitive or neo sure

Comments

@unready he has a milk & soy allergy. We tried sensitive already

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@erme oh it’s better that than elder care those cans have to be special ordered but on your if u write the company an email you can ask them to send u coupons to help they normally do I did that

Answer 55

Mine last child had to use it. We used a Sam’s brand, Membersmark! It was exactly like it and cheaper. Can’t remember the exact name of it.  

Answer 56

You should be able to get a prescription and be covered partially by your insurance

Answer 57

I was able to get nutramigen covered by my health insurance! I had to buy it up front and submit receipts, but totally worth all the paperwork!  

Answer 58

If your child has to have it via medical reason insurance has to cover it

Answer 59

If insurance doesn’t help maybe contact the company and ask for samples or coupons?  

Answer 60

My mother said I had to be on that but they switched me to goat milk. My kids all were severely lactose intolerant. We bought in bulk with the first two via internet (walmart). And the third I have breast fed for almost a year literally saved thousands.  

Answer 61

Yes mine had similac alimentum, it was like 45 a can! Some times we would buy 2 and the lids would have coupons off so it saved us money eventually and our pediatrician would give us free samples all the time The pediatrician told me to stop breastfeeding cause it may cause his eczema to get worse, so I stopped and found out that wasn’t the cause  

Answer 62

Ask your Pediatrician if they can Give you samples, they get them from the company

Answer 63

Can you get a prescription for it and maybe your insurance will help?  

Answer 64

Look on amazon or Costco or even Sams club for a deal. I’m so sorry! One of my babies had to use that and it was expensive.  

Answer 65

My twins were on Nutramigen for about 6 months, I feel your pain! Go to Nutramigens website and signup for the coupons. They aren’t much but they are something. If you have a local moms group, ask if anyone has any coupons or samples. And if you can, fight your insurance. Our pediatrician filled out forms and everything the insurance asked for to prove that this was a necessity to their health, like a prescription. We eventually were able to switch to Enfamil Gentle Ease which is very similar. Hope this helps!  

Answer 66

My son was on special formula, $50 for the smaller can. And we went through a few a week. Insurance did not cover it. They barely wanted to cover his meds. Unfortunately we just had to suck it up and buy it. There were a few times family helped out.  

Answer 67

We bought in bulk and it ended up saving us $ in the end!  

Answer 68

Samples, insurance, WIC. Food stamps, see if there’s a generic version, but in bulk during sales.  

Comments

@vittle there’s not a generic version unfortunately.  

Answer 69

So I fought with my insurance company and they ended up paying for it after the doctor worked with me and wrote letters saying it was medically necessary and that he HAD to have this type. Please PM if you want to talk.  

Answer 70

Also- target has a large can for $50 and you can use the coupons that you get from the manufacturer plus your red card to have additional savings.  

Answer 71

So BOTH of my babies are on this! For the longest time I was just getting it at Target when they had their gift card deals but I found a group on FB where mommas sell specialty formulas! I’ve bought from two separate people on there and haven’t been like scammed or anything. If you’re interested I can try and add you to it

Comments

Yes please!  

Answer 72

Insurance will pay for it. You just have to go through your medical insurance not your prescription plan. Get your doctor to write a script. Then you have to get it from a medical supply company. My daughter needed Alimentum.  

Answer 73

Follow up question: if we didn't know this was an option until 2 years in. Will insurance reimburse for 2yrs worth of it?  

Comments

@northway I’m not sure but most likely not since it’s not like they are giving cash for you to go purchase yourself. They are just providing it at no cost to you. Doesn’t hurt to ask though

Answer 74

Go through Insurance. Your doctor needs to fill out a medical necessity form to send in to your insurance company and they will cover it. I know Masshealth will have it shipped every month right to your house.  

Answer 75

My son used that too . Enfamil wil Send coupons , also ask your ped for samples and see if you can find a sale at the grocery

Answer 76

Wic will help! My daughter had to have nutramigen and it made a world of difference for her! Also I’ve known of 2 different friends who had prescriptions for it and their insurance covered it.  

Answer 77

You should be able to get a prescription for it. My nephew needs to be on nutramigen and my sister got a prescription for it, although he was on it for awhile before she got the prescription

Answer 78

See if you pediatrician will write a letter for you to get assistance for the formula. Usually have to go to your health department or through state assistance but help is help.  

Answer 79

Yep, we were on similac alimentum from 2 months-12 months. So expensive but our insurance actually covered a little of it

Answer 80

I know for sure If you have Medicaid You need to go get a CMN a certificate of medical necessity from your child’s dr and have them send that and an rx over to a home medical pharmacy. Medicaid pays for 8-10 cans a months and as they get older they lessen the amount but only by the amount that the child is drinking so you won’t ever have less than you need all 3 of my kids were on similac alimentum

Answer 81

See if her doctor can write you a prescription for it that way some insurance companies with take care of some of it

Answer 82

My first child did! It was expensive! Sometimes u can get full size samples from the manufacturer.  

Answer 83

And while you’re waiting for the prescription and insurance, ask the less office if they have samples!  

Answer 84

Wic should help with a prescription from the doctor

Answer 85

Contact the manufacturer and ask for coupons saying you need it but can’t afford it. Often they help out

Answer 86

27 years ago, I had to use this formula for my baby girl. I used to pay over 7 dollars for a can. Insurance didn't cover it, my pediatrician gave me coupons and samples. what was worse than the price, it was watching my baby cry in pain because of intolerance to breast milk, soy formula, etc. this was the only thing she could have, for about 6 months. Good luck!