My son is 9 months old and has been exclusivly breastfed until about a month ago. My supply has always dipped at this age when the children become so easily distracted and nursing isn't their main interest. I have pumped, done mothers milk tea, drink lots of water, oatmeal...anyway, decided to start some formula during the day. Now he nurses when he wakes (I do not feel full at all, have a little bit of let down feeling, but I'm not sure how much he's getting) He eats breakfast (8:30) (whole milk yogurt, fruit, some type of grain) 11:30 lunch (fruit, pasta, cheese, veggies, chicken or other protein)), a bottle or nursing in the afternoon (2-4) supper (same variety as lunch)I give hime formula in his cup (total of 4-6 oz during the day) and sometimes he'll nurse or take 2-4 oz of formula before bed. He's sleeping great and is generally a happy boy, but I'm just concerned with the low amount of breastmilk/formuala as the dr recommended 24 oz a day. Anyone have opinions? Thank you!!
Thank you to EVERYONE who sent the wonderful words of encouragement and advice. I am so used to feeling really full and even engorged, and when that feeling went away, I assume I don't have milk. He is growing well and such a good eater that I need to try to stop worrying. I may also drop supplementing with formula and dr said I could start introducing cows milk (small amounts, I'll use whole organic). He is sleeping great also, so I'll take that as another sign that he's content and getting what he needs. Thanks again!! Mamasource is so awesome.
Hi, I grew up near CR. Anyway, I would add more formula with his sippy cup or if you are really worried about it you can give him baby vitamins. I actually switched my daughter to whole milk a week ago cause we ran out of formula and she is 11 months. I breastfed both my girls but for some reason I ran out at 3 1/2 months with my 1st, and 5 months with my 2nd. Good luck with everything, good for you to breastfeed this long. Great job:-)
please dont worry about breastmilk amounts. hospitols are given lots of money to push formula, so i dont trust the advice of doctors who tell you that your milk isnt good enough.
AWESOME JOB for exclusivly breastfeeding until 8 months!! that is fantastic!! i am so proud that there are mothers out there still willing to take the time.
your son is getting enough liquids as long as he still has a normal amout of wet diapers a day, doesnt get dry skin, and that soft spot doesnt get really.. hollow. dont worry about amounts, theres no way to measure breastmilk, however, it does supply the right amount your child needs. trust it!
you are doing a fantastic job. sometimes its hard, but we must follow our instincts instead of doctor's orders. you are doing just fine, and i wouldnt add any formula to your son's diet. its unnecessary and actually can screw up a very good internal system your son has developed by making him constipated. formula babies need more liquids like water and juice to keep from being plugged up! im not saying you cant feed formula if you want to do so, just dont feel pressured into doing it because 'you dont have enough milk' or something. cuz you do! trust it!
find and join the la leche league in your area! they are fantastic resources for support and helP!
Formula is really just sweetened, vitamin-enhanced, processed milk H.. It is not necessary to give a baby formula at all, even if the baby stops nursing early. Formula was developed originally as a simple food for babies who failed to thrive on their mother's milk. It became popular, giving women an "out" from breast feeding as white culture became more affluent. When water sanitation became widespread, breast feeding all-but disappeared.
Because formula contains corn syrup solids, GMOs and/or isolated soy protein, babies consistently develop allergic reactions, allergies and colon problems that would otherwise not occur.
My advice as a breast feeding advocate: leave off adding formula and go with a high-quality, organic milk, rice milk or even just water. If you are concerned about vitamins, give him a children's chewable.
Also, add beer to your diet. It may help to improve your supply.
My daughter has just will be 9 months soon. I will not give up or nor would I use formula. you may want to talk to a lactation specialist. I nurse my other two children well after 18 months. Right now my supply is down. my question to you is how would you know if he is not getting enough? There is no way to measure. I am a true believe God gave us the breast for a reason and baby is healthy than baby is fine. We have to learn not to sweat the small things. You are a mother is there is any concern you will know. Trust yourself
D.
How do you know your supply dips at this age? Is it because of pumping? That is not an accurate indicator, I have never been able to pump more than 3-4 oz with both breasts at a time & I have kids who are in the 90th & 100th percentiles. Why don't you drop the formula & just relax & nurse when your child wants to nurse. Your body will make as much milk as you need & your supply can go back up too. It is not something that is permanent once it goes down it is gone. You just have to have faith nature knows what it is doing. Just stop stressing about it because that will lower your supply. Your child is not going to starve because they are eating plenty of food too!
Brekka
I just went through this with my youngest (she's 7mo.) He may only be taking 2-4oz of milk at a time because that's all he's used to getting from the breast. I noticed with both of my girls (nursed my 1st for 9 mo and just stopped w/my 2nd) when I started weaning and giving them bottles all the time they would only eat about 2-4oz at a time. I'm positive its because that's what they were used to getting from me when nursing. It took about 2 weeks and they were both taking 6-8oz at a feeding. It can take alittle bit to get their tummies used to holding more milk but he really should be eating more than he is. I noticed right away with my girls that they were fuller longer and was able to spread out their meals to match the rest of the family and they also slept longer at night and overall were happier and more content (which I think was due to getting more nutrients, not necessarily having a full tummy)
According to what my doctor told me, they need only the nutrients from breastmilk/formula for the first year. I know they do need vitiman D and iron (that they get from the cereal after the 1st 6 months). They really just need to try different foods for expierence. It sounds to me like he's eating so much food that there's not much left for the milk. I would try and cut back a little on the meal time food. Maybe just give him a grain cereal for breakfast, fruit at lunch and a veggie for dinner. And just vary that daily, by adding in protiens, yogurt, cheese ect. Best of luck with his feeding. I know it is sometimes challenging when they give you a recommended amount since every child is so different.
Sounds like your little boy is getting plenty and is a good eater. My 9-month old daughter has recently reduced her intake of formula and if we're lucky she gets about 20 ounces a day. This is her choice - she just won't take any more than that. Not sure why she just doesn't want it. Unless he is losing weight it probably isn't a problem. You may want to ask your doctor about vitamin supplements if you think he isn't getting adequate nutrition.
you are probably doing great- some kids love food and don't then need as much nursing. congratulations.
I just finished nursing my two year old and I can honestly say that after the first 6 months or so I never felt full nor felt the let down while he was nursing. I think your body gets so used to that feeling that it isn't as noticable as when you first start.
When the doctor recommended the 24 oz, did s/he know how much solid food your son was eating? He sounds like he is a very healthy boy who just wants real food more than milk.
Hi! My baby is 10 months old and I do not nurse her anymore. I stopped about 8 months or so because she was getting way to busy to stop and nurse, and because my milk supply dropped some. She now only gets between 12-18oz of formula a day. I know she is totally fine, getting what she needs. With the other healthy foods and such that you are giving your baby, he is fine. I would not be worried at all! But I do know how you feel! I hope I can give you a little encouragment.
He seems to be eating very well for a 9 month old--my kids were/are both pretty good eaters too, and kinda weaned themselves when they hit a wide variety of solids. My thought would be that he's probably getting enough breastmilk unless he seems dissatisfied, so if you wanted to continue, you probably could. But, if it eases your mind and you're ready to be done, it doesn't seem to me that giving a smaller amount of formula would be awful--especially if he's eating a well rounded diet and getting the nutrients the formula provides--iron, for one.
Your supply has not dropped. At 9 months, your body is expert at making only waht your baby needs, and it won't produce a massive letdown, nor will you feel full. Also at this age, since he is nursingless, you body is only making the higher fat milk and much much less of the foremilk that made you feel so full before.
Basically right now, if he nurses for only 10 minutes, he is getting all the fat, nutrients, antibodies, etc that he needs from your milk. The less he nurses, hte more concentrated it becomes. Just keep nursing him.
I agree with Annette, that intro'ing formula right now is not necessary at all. Your milk supply is fine, its just more concentrated and your body knows what its doing now perfectly.
What you pump is not an indication of what your supply is, your baby can nurse out at least 2oz more than what you are pumping!
So keep nursing him, he sounds like he's right on track. At 9 months both my boys were eating table foods and nursing 3-4times a day. Don't owrry about how long or how much he's eating, if he's hungry he'll let you know. Again your milk supply is not low, its more concentrated now, heavier and fattier all at once so that is why you aren't feeling full. Your body isn't making a huge excess anymore, and your letdown has controlled to his taking.
