Supplementing with Formula…Update & Thanks
Last week I wrote about
Supplementing with Formula and was overwhelmed by the amount of support, information and advice I received. I wanted to take the time to say thank-you to everyone who read my post and especially to those that took the time to comment.
Thankfully, I haven’t had much need for breastfeeding support outside of my little mom’s group. However, when I have had a question I just hash tag breastfeeding on Twitter and have received a ton of support and advice without leaving the comfort of my home. I am very grateful for these ladies who are so passionate about breastfeeding that they take time from their own busy schedules to offer support and non-judgmental advice to complete strangers. To you I say Thank-You!
Of course, I must also send out a big thanks to my friends who have been there to support me and offer suggestions throughout my breastfeeding journey. I’m so glad to have you on my support team.
As for the update, Parker and I are still breastfeeding. He just turned 10 months old. He is up to three meals of solid food now and is enjoying feeding himself finger foods. Parker has several food sensitivities including cow’s milk protein, so we are both on strict diets. He usually breastfeeds about 6 times a day; four times during the day and twice at night. He is still gaining weight and growing taller everyday.
I did decide to try out the formula (Alimentum Hypoallergenic). I chose the hypoallergenic for two reasons. First because Parker does have a sensitivity to soy. Although he has been fine when I eat soy products, I didn’t want to chance giving it to him directly. Secondly, I am not convinced that soy products are a safe alternative to milk for babies. From what I’ve read, soy products usually contain high levels of estrogen and have been linked to increase incidents of breast/ovarian cancer in girls. It can also cause blotting, gas and make children feel full resulting in them consuming less solid foods.
I certainly didn’t want the formula feeding to replace breastfeeding. I received some information that it may decrease my own milk supply so as of right now, Parker receives one 4 ounce bottle on the days I’m away. I still pump and have started to build up my freezer stash again. I feel that this way I am relieving the pressure I was feeling about pumping and still being able to continue breastfeeding. Apparently Parker doesn’t want the formula feeding to replace breastfeeding either. He will happily take the formula when I’m away but will have no part of it if I’m in the house (insert heartwarming smile here).
Parker breastfeeding at six months, I still felt in control here and breastfeeding could be done fairly modestly still.
Parker drinking his bottle of pumped breast milk at his grandmothers.
Parker breastfeeding at 10 months, seems like he is in control now. Sometimes, like in this picture, he likes to sit up while feeding and pulls off often to look around. Any chance of breastfeeding in modesty is out the window. There is no chance he'll stay under a cover, either.
Thanks again for all your support and advice. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without you.
~Sarah
Labels: Boobs, Breast feeding, formula, pumping, Sarah
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