I breastfed my twins. It is one of my greatest accomplishments. But, it was no easy task.

At first I was told I shouldn’t introduce any formula, bottles, or pacifiers, because then my kids wouldn’t breastfeed. Unfortunately, I had two preemie babies that needed food, and I wasn’t producing enough. I pumped and pumped, I took fenugreek… I couldn’t produce enough. I started getting stressed, which made my milk go down.

I finally saw the most wonderful lactation consultant in the world! She was so supportive, told me I was Super Woman, and best of all, she told me not to stress. She said, “Only do as much as you can. Don’t worry about what you can’t do.” I learned, that breast feeding does NOT have to be an “all or nothing” thing. So, I started with trying to get them to the breast at least once a day, and I tried to pump at least 3 times a day. Sounds easy enough, but it wasn’t! I had two tiny infants that had no idea what day/night was, much less, what staying on a similar schedule meant!

Eventually, I worked my way up to doing most feedings by breast during the day. Yet, I never was able to exclusively breast feed. But, that was OK with me. Why?! Because I was doing what I could for my babies, and that was what was best for us.

I do think breast milk is the best and most nutritious food for infants. I breast fed Zane for 19 months and Bree for about 16. However, like in my situation, it isn’t always feasible for a mom to provide ONLY breastmilk… and some may not be able to at all. For at least the first year, I didn’t breast feed both at night. I was so exhausted all the time. So, Brett would feed one formula while I fed the other breast milk or a bottle of formula. The next feeding, we would switch. That is what worked for us.

So, this leads me to my first giveaway!!!!!! Yes, a giveaway!!!!! This is sponsored by Parents Choice. This is a brand that can be found at Walmart. It has the same nutrition as some of the leading brands, but at a fraction of the price! Here are some notes from Parent’s Choice:

Raising Healthy Babies without Skimping on Nutrition

There is good news for families with small babies who are looking for big savings without compromising nutrition.

Experts agree that mother’s milk is best and the least expensive option for infant feeding. If parents choose to supplement breastfeeding with infant formula or to formula-feed exclusively, they can turn to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers for store brands that offer the same safe, high quality, affordable infant nutrition.

Although all U.S. infant formulas must adhere to the same stringent FDA guidelines, they are not priced the same, as many leading store-brand formulas cost up to 50% less than national brands. In fact, parents can save up to $600 a year ($1200 for twins) by choosing a retailer’s store brand infant formula.

“A new parent today is met with a dizzying array of marketing messages when it comes to doing what is best for their babies,” said Dr. Barbara Levine, Associate Professor of Nutrition in Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. “Nowhere is this truer than in the area of infant formulas. Thanks to strict government regulation, the fact is that there is very little, if any, differentiation in the nutritional values touted by the various national brands on the market, and in this economy, doctors are advising parents to switch their babies to a store brand formula so they can save money.”

FDA, in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, establishes strict guidelines concerning the ingredients and their levels in infant formula; all U.S. manufacturers must conform to these rules. In addition, all infant formulas must demonstrate growth, development, and mineral absorption equal to mother’s milk before they may be sold in the United States.

In light of a recent press report of a parent diluting baby formula with water in this difficult economy, Dr. Levine urges parents to read and strictly follow the directions on the labels of their formulas of choice.

In addition to switching to store brand formulas, parents can save money on infant feeding by:

* Contacting their local service and religious organizations – state WIC agencies, local food banks, and churches may be able to offer additional assistance.
* Look for coupons on the Internet and save money on items such as baby formula and diapers.

“It is critical that parents refrain from diluting baby formula with extra water during these tough economic times,” added Dr. Levine. “If parents choose to feed babies infant formula, they must remember it is an infant’s sole source of nutrition.”

The Parent’s Choice Infant Formula Web site – www.parentschoiceformula.com offers:

* Free baby formula samples http://www.parentschoiceformula.com/baby-formula-samples.aspx
* A savings calculator http://www.parentschoiceformula.com/baby-formula-savings-calculator.aspx
* A formula finder http://www.parentschoiceformula.com/parents-choice-formula-finder.aspx

In addition, we have a facebook fan site http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parents-Choice-Infant-Formula/31916575476, complete with an application that allows fans to give one another free formula http://apps.facebook.com/parent_choice/

Since Parent’s Choice also offers an array of baby and toddler foods, we also have a product site http://www.parentschoicefoods.com/ and a facebook site:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parents-Choice-Foods/23879928961.

NOW, for the giveaway!!!! Parent’s choice is giving away a $100 gift card to Walmart!!!!!! All you have to do, is go to one of the Parent’s Choice product sites (above) and check it out. Then come back here and post something you learned from the site. You can also get entries from posting about my contest on twitter, on facebook, or by subscribing to my site. For each way, please come back and post a comment telling me what you have done. A winner will be chosen at random. The contest will close at midnight on July 3rd. I will post the winner on INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!