[ally123]

to the bmom? I still have to buy at least 3 cans of formula a month but now visits are being increased and the in-home worker just asked if I would give some formula to bmom. As of right now I don't know how much I will have to buy at the end of this month and even with the increased visits he is a big eater. Is it my responsibility to supply some of the formula for bmom? I talked with the cw today and she was frustrated because bmom was trying to get more food stamps and they refused her. What would you do?

[Forever_family]

I would worry that the baby would be getting watered down formula or regular milk if I didn't give it but that doesn't mean I would agree with this.

Can you ask to be reimbursed if that is possible for out of pocket expense. Are you still getting the regular foster care board even though she will be with the birth mom? Still new to being a foster parent so I'm still learning the ropes. Also if she can't afford to purchase a few cans of formula how can she support a baby? That is a necessity is it not? Food, clothing, shelter those are the basics.

[BlessedByTwo121]

I would be concerned if the birth mother is unable to bring formula. Especially if the child is going home. I would ask for reimbursement also..formula is not cheap stuff!

[bjhv5]

If ** can not feed the baby for visits then how in the beep will she feed him if he is placed back with her? Why dont the cw see this as a problem??? Isnt that part of parenting?

I would bring it up to sw and ask to have what you furnished replaced!

[leaabc123]

Since WIC is being used, then yes I have provided formula for visits in the past but nothing else (diapers, changes of clothing, etc).

[shycar]

I would provide the formula. The thing is b-mom would probably start using wic once the child is back (thats how she will probably feed her baby), she can not use it now becouse you have the child on wic. That formula belongs to the baby so it goes witht the baby.

[bjhv5]

now are you asking about the 1-2 hour visit or over night?

I do send it to the 1 hour visit.

[Rocking Mama]

I only send the amount of formula my fc will need for the duration of the visit. I measure out the precise amount into a small container and write the time/amount of the next feeding. Visit worker has never had a problem with this.

[Kate1129]

Send the formula with the baby. When it comes down to it, the baby is the one who suffers. It's our job as FP to not help make them suffer.


Then make a noise about you buying the extra formula and that you supply formula for bmom. You should be reimbursed because bmom isn't buying it. That's what we have done and the state has paid us back.

[kforkids]

I've sent it in the bottles to be fed during visits. (Both short and longer "transition" visits). I did not provide diapers/ wipes or other things that I purchased and could reuse. I did send clothes.
I would talk with the cw so she knows what you are doing and will agree to purchase more if that becomes an issue.

[MamaTo6]

I provided everything for my son when he had supervised visits with his bmom. Formula, diapers, wipes, clothes bibs etc.
As said by Shycar, mom would have access to these things if she had her child in her care. Our sons bmom was on welfare and was not collecting any monies for baby. She barely received enough money to feed herself. If baby had gone home with her, she would have received more money from welfare and been able to buy some of these things.

I had another reason for sending everything I thought my son would need. I would have used the formula diapers etc if he was with me instead of at a visit so we really weren't out anything. And who cares if we were? I wanted and needed to know that my son was being cared for to the best of my ability. I needed to know he was being fed the right amounts of formula and had a clean diaper.

I would send whatever the child would usually need during that time.

[LadyBugz]

At least with formula, you know that it is being used by the baby. We had a problem with sending food and finding out the bd was eating the toddler's food!

[leaabc123]

Our sons bmom was on welfare and was not collecting any monies for baby. She barely received enough money to feed herself. If baby had gone home with her, she would have received more money from welfare and been able to buy some of these things.

Maybe that is the problem. Why wasn't she working or making an effort not to depend on welfare? We as just foster parents have to prove that we can provide for the children in our care, why aren't bp's held to that same standard?!

[bjhv5]

Oh i agree with sending what baby needs,it just floors me that cw dont seem to have problems sending these kids back to a home where it is obvious that ** can not take care of them or are not prepared to take care of them.
I send the formula S needs diapers ,wipes,change of clothes even though at last visit mom did not even feed S after I told her she just woke up and needed the bottle!

[ally123]

She said she did not want me to send formula with the baby as that is one of the problems with bmom. She expects everyone else to take care of these things and the cw says that if she can't buy a couple of cans of formula (she could use her food stamps for it) she isn't ready to care for the baby. I don't feel that the baby is being neglected or not fed on visits- I think bmom just wants an easy way out and doesn't want to have to be responsible in any way. She did bring him back 1/2 early from his visit today claiming she had an appt she had to be at.

Anyway - thanks for the advice.