Supplementing Formula - Carol Stream,IL

I went with GoodStart (they don't spend money on advertising, but on research). I'd avoid cow's milk unless it's organic, as there are way too many hormones pumped into cows to produce milk (thus one reason why kids are hitting puperty at a much younger rate these days). Also, stay away from Soy brand formula - as it is packed with hormones too.

Good luck and great job lasting 10 monthes.

I just took my second to his 9 month, and doctor said after 9 months you can start a little cows milk if you have no dairy issues in your family. I agree, formula may not be necessary, but if so, no biggie. My first I was so afraid to go with formula, my second has had both since around 6 months, although mostly breast milk. Try not to stress, and give a little milk or formula, then nurse when you can....one thing I wish I knew the first time, is to be a little more flexible...a stressed mom is not a happy one! You could try formula or milk and just see what your baby likes...each kid is different (they are just little people I always forget!) Try not get hung up on milk, amounts, etc, and think of all the different foods and liquids your baby will get their nutrition from as a whole group....and you will do fine!

I would be concerned as to why your milk is depleting? It shouldn't? Are you drinking enough water? Is she eating cereal and foods regularly? Have you found time to pump mid day to keep your milk production? I would call a local lactation consultant, formula can be expensive. Since at 1 year your child can go on milk It's counter productive to try and find a formula for 2 months. Once your child has adapted you will nolonger need it

Your body knows you and baby better than anyone. Your body is preparing for the 1 year mark when the benefits of breast feeding are less, or no longer needed (and you can get ur life back). Formula to a baby who is exclusively breast fed has to be disgusting..taste and texture. I dont think formula will be accepted by baby.. baby is closer to cow's milk acceptence than formula. I breast fed until 1 year..and the last two months, I was down only to one nite time feeding...and I could tell that she was ready to quit..but was afraid like you of nutrition value. I stuck with it till that one year appointment...then was given the ok to switch over to cow milk.GL

I agree with the posters that keep nursing when you can. Your daughter is probably not needing as much milk as she once did since she's been eating solids. Plus, when you're sick, your supply can drop but it will come right back up so just continue to nurse as you always have. You can supplement with water or juice diluted w/ water. If your illness is more long term, then I would ask your pediatrician if you can start her on whole milk. Good luck and good for you for making it to 10 mos! That's an accomplishment :)

PS- In terms of building up your milk supply, you might want to consult a lactation consultant (make sure they're board certified with IBCLC after their name - try La Leche League). They might have some good advice!

why do you think your supply is dwindling? that would be highly unlikely to happen unless you were having a sudden health issue ( or are you a working mama?). Most likely you think this is happening because your child is either nursing less, you dont fell "full"/ or your child is nursing frequently. You will stop feeling full and let downs any time now, they ususally stop by age 12 months. Also your child may be nursing less because she is far more efficient not, and she is also eating solid foods. If she is nursing frequently most likely she is teething and needs to comfort nurse the pain away. Id start another question explaining why you feel you are loosing your milk or feel free to email me directly! BTW she is most likely not going to drink the formula as she is too old now and knows where the good stuff is at, Unless you had some health issues i promise your milk is just fine! also look at kellymom.com for more great breastfeeding info! also i know of a great breastfeeding group in hoffman estates at St, Alexius on Monday mornings from 10-12. many attend that have not delivered there so please feel free to join if you even if you didnt deliver there! It is run by a great lactation consultant and lots of working moms if you need advice in that department/

I know doctors say to wait until a baby is 12 months to start cows milk but with my first I started giving it to her at 10 months. I like you exclusively breastfed but I wanted to start the weaning process so I could be done by the time she was a year. I didn't want to start formula this last in the game so I just gave her a sippy of whole milk. I figured if it gave her any tummy problems then I would stop and try again when she was a year. But she was fine. I mean I started with just one sippy of cows milk a day and the rest was all breastmilk and a little table food here and there. So you could just try cows milk. I mean it's kinda silly to start formula now and then switch again in two months to cows milk. Again only do this if her tummy is ok with it. Good luck.

I'd agree with checking out your options if you even really need formula at 10 months since you are still nursing some...if food and water otherwise is enough with the occassional nursing or introducing a little whole milk instead as I've heard I think that whole milk can be okay starting at 9 months if I remember correctly...that it's just not recommended until 12 months especially for all the time. But if you do formula, I learned that Nestle's Good Start formula tends to be the most acceptable to the child when starting later after nursing. I guess it tastes better? I started supplementing formula with my second child around 8 months since he just wasn't such a good nurser, while my first did great with nursing. I first of course tried all the Enfamil and Similac samples, then somebody told me about Good Start being an easier transition for an older baby coming off nursing, and that one he ended up taking without a problem at all. Best wishes to you!

Can you hold out a couple more months until you can supplement with cow's milk? Or maybe just supplement with water or an extra jar of food. At 10 months I think you will have a really hard time getting her to accept any kind of formula.

Hi K., Being sick & being a Mom can be so overwhelming!!For me when I was down, I saw so clearly how much they all needed me-hourly! Hang in there... at 10 months you do not need to introduce formula to your daughter. Exclusively breastfed she has had the best possible nutritional start. Perhaps a sippy cup for extra liquid?? Just nurse when you can & feel up to it, if she is on food a couple times a day will be fine. I exclusively breastfed too and I never let down for a pump ever..2 completely different things nursing & a machine. I hope you feel better soon

Wow! Well done on getting to 10 months! Why not just ween now with one or two feedings a day. This happened to me but I didn't switch to formula, I just dwindled down to one feeding a day and my baby got plenty of yogurt and cheese and I started milk a little early cause there were no allergies in my family. I also offered a sippy cup of water often. Formula may not be necessary since you were able to nurse so long.

hi there. I had similar issues. around 10 months I decided enough was enough and started supplementing with some formula. I was tired of feeling so stressed as to if she was Getty enough or not. and I will tell you- I had been so worried about it- that the first time I gave her some formula I actually had a huge sense of relief! I no longer had to worry that I couldn't give her what she needed! we used the nestle/gerber good start gentle plus. it's orange on the bottom. I nursed her and then offered her the formula. just a couple times a day. she drank it no problem! she was hungry! then what I did was start actually giving her formula during her nighttime feedings....and then to wean her I just did the "don't offer don't refuse" plan and she was weaned in about 2 months...just shy of her 1st bday. feel free to email me if you want more info! good luck!!

Baby's Only Organic has more nutrients than regular formulas and is the closest compared to the nutrients in breast milk. Here is their website http://www.naturesone.com/ - it is the best priced there. Whole Foods and other organic stores tend to carry them too. Doesn't taste as gross as the other formulas and not as sweet.