Infants: Formula vs. Raw Milk

[wohneli]

Thank you all for your support and advice.
We already do most of the things you have suggested (except the oatmeal - yet) and have seen only slow weight gain. She was born 10 pounds 4 ounces so she is still in the middle of the weight/age charts and she is gaining.
We are begining to feel that our daughter is just a slow gainer of weight and as long as she is otherwise healty we should continue what we are doing.

 

[haTHOR]

particularly since she was so large at birth, that can skew one's perception of how big she should be or how fast she should gain. my best advice is to find a pediatrician who is a BIG supporter of breastfeeding--s/he will know best how to ease your mind about slow but normal growth and to assess *all* health characteristics--length, skin tone, alertness, and developmental progress. breastmilk is an amazing gift for your baby that nothing can replace--supporting mama right now to believe in her body's ability and to nurse frequently allows she and the babe to get in sync and trust one another rather than worrying so much.

if baby has 6-8 really wet dipes and one or more bowel movements per day, that's the best indicator that she is getting enough. if she weren't, she would not pee and poop as much.

i know it's tough to "know" things are ok--but most likely, she is more than ok. she is getting the best nutrition available and all the added benefits of feeding at the breast--increased bonding, muscle tone, eye-hand coordination, and many many immune-enhancing properties from mother's milk.

good luck!

(ps--i was a breastfeeding consultant for a decade, and have heard your concerns many times. 99.999% of the time, there was no problem whatsoever.)

 

[Kelly G]

Raw does not = healthy.

There is a reason that when you purchase it that you have to sign that you understand that raw milk is approved for animal consumption only, and is not approved for human consumption (we have to sign with each purchase here in Fl).

Raw = not pasturized. Luis Pastuer was a big hit for saving lives and tummies

Most HEALTHY adults (who get sick from consuming raw milk) will come down with gastric symptoms at worst...but youthful and elderly immune systems cannot handle what raw milk can throw at their not developed/compromised immune systems.

The things above are facts.

Now, my opinion the stuff. Yuck, gross. I grew up on a farm in Wisconsin, and I won't touch the yucky stuff ever again

Shout out & Props to Luis Pasteur!

 

[Kelly G]

...and, by the way, good luck with the breast feeding...it does get easier. You got lots of good advice here!

 

[mom'sfolly]

I'm just going to add to the chorus....you had a big baby that is gaining weight, but too "slowly". Ignore it, if all else is okay. Weight gain charts are averages, and those averages are still based on formula charts. Your lactaction consultant should be able to show you the predicted weight gain for a breast fed baby. The weight gains are on a different curve, and generally happen later. Remember too that averages are just that, to get the average, there has to be high and low numbers, your kiddo is just on the lower end....

About cows milk, especially raw, it will probably cause digestive issues for your child. I also would be concerned about the bacterial load of unprocessed milk. If you have don't have absolute trust in your supplier, don't risk it. There is some evidence that early introduction of cow's milk is more likely to result in a child with milk intolerances and allergies.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

My daughter could not digest even "regular" baby formula when she was an infant. I was told by the pediatrician to totally stay away from milk. She had to have a soy-based formula. It's the only kind that didn't keep her screaming with a stomach ache. Can you call the pediatrician to get advice? Good luck!

 

[Crunchie]

Quote:
Yeah THAT!!

You have gotten some great advice. Good luck.

I have been there, done that--my son was born almost 9 pounds, then dropped to the very bottom (3rd to 5th percentile) for weight, and has mostly remained there (he is nearly 2 now). "mom isn't producing enough" is almost always not true!! It is very rare for a woman to have true low supply. And as a new mom, it is just devastating to hear that you are "not producing enough," I know it made me feel like a huge failure. And that is just not how a new mom needs to feel.

Turned out there was nothing wrong with my supply (despite our pediatrician's attempts to convince me so) and my son is just small. He is growing just fine--my husband was never even on the growth charts at all as a child. Shoot, he was 5' 8" and 130 lbs when we met!! Just a string bean, and so is our son! If your daughter is in the middle of the growth charts, and gaining, and meeting all of her milestones, then she is right where she should be. I'm assuming you mean that she is in the 50th percentile if she is in the middle of the chart?? That is perfectly average! Even a child in the 3rd percentile is still normal--the entire chart just averages "normal." Someone has to be in the bottom and top percentiles! But if she is in the middle, why on earth would the pediatrician have a problem with that??? I think they must get kickbacks from the formula companies.

Nothing is better than breastmilk right now. Absolutely nothing. Introducing anything else at this stage just sets your baby up for allergies later. Babies don't need anything but breastmilk 'till at least 6 months.

Anyway, the best of luck to you. Enjoy that new little one!!

Sorry if my post seems like a rant, it may be a bit of one. I just hate how so many new moms get discouraged from breastfeeding or are alarmed into thinking something is wrong when it isn't, and I just don't understand it. It is the best thing in the world for a growing baby, and it is such a great nurturing, bonding experience for mom & baby. I just wish that moms got more support from the medical community (and society in general) so that more moms could be more successful with it.

 

[yodercountrygirl]

I agree with Crunchie

With my two kids they are night and day when it comes to the percentile chart

My oldest was 5lbs 6 ozs and was always and still is below the 50%; my son was 7lbs 6ozs and is in the 75%, oh and they both were full term babies.
Every baby is different and you just need to go by what baby wants, then every one will be happy at home.

A lot advice is given but in the end Mama knows best even if it is the first time. It is a God given instinct and you all will be fine.

 

[crimsnchic]

seriously, if your little one is gaining, just slowly, and is healthy don't worry about supplementing, just keep with the breastfeeding. I had 2 huge boys at birth and they gained like crazy for the first couple of months and then just kinda found their place at the low end of the charts, but they are healthy and growing, just not at the 95th percentile that they were born into

Once you start to supplement, they may find they won't want to nurse as often, thereby decreasing mom's supply. Good Luck!

 

[waibel zoo]

Quote:
Mom is not producing enough to make her gain the recommended 4oz per week. She is gaining only 2-3oz per week.
We are working with a pediatrician and a lactation counselor. There is no health problem other than slow weight gain.

There are a lot of things you can do to get the supply up. But to start, is your infant acting hungry after feedings? Does she cry afterwards or want to do nothing but eat. Feedings should be given on demand not on a schedule. My son was average at birth and slowly fell off the charts. He is 5 now, smart as a whip and still very small. Some babies are just small/thin. Don't let your doctor stress you out if you feel your child is happy and healthy. The doctors just have averages, they don't know your child. Milk works on a supply/demand thing. The more you nurse the more milk you make. So your wife can feed one side and pump the other at the same time. Also one breast per feeding. Hind milk is where the fat is, it takes 15 minutes or so to get to the hind milk. I say pump and feed because the let down is hard to get if you just pump. Keep the milk she pumps to be used in conjunction with breast feeding. Also you can take fenugreek. This comes in capsule at the health food store. You can take 4 a day. It does help with milk supply.

Make sure mom is eating enough calories. At least 2500 a day. She also needs lots of rest. She NEEDS to sleep when baby sleeps. Preferably she should sleep with baby and feed on demand. To make milk you need lots and lots of fluids. She should also continue to take prenatal vitamins.

I strongly urge you not to give your babe cows milk yet. Also I very strongly urge your wife to continue breast feeding. It is the best.

I also want to add I have breast fed 3 kids, all past a year. Not one of them ever had a bottle. I am small chested and it had nothing to do with my ability to feed. I also co-slept and wore my baby in slings. Attachment parenting is very rewarding.

MY youngest child was the exact opposite of my middle. They are almost 3 years apart and are nearly the same size. So I think my little child just had genetics to be little.