Making your own formula

Stargirlb

Raw milk is not inherently dangerous. Not raw cow milk, not raw human milk. They pasteurize donor breast milk in the hospital as well, which destroys many of the living benefits, which is one reason some turn to private donors through groups like Human Milk for Human Babies. How and where the cow is raised, and how and where the milk is collected plays a big roll in its safety. The pasteurized milk of factory-farmed cows is absolutely disgusting when you think about it. The milk is produced and collected in often filty even inhumane conditions, and in order for the milk to me safe for human consumption, it's pasteurized at high temps to kill nasty bacteria, fecal matter, etc. then you get to drink that yummy dead bacteria in your milk. I'll pass.

We purchased raw milk (under the table, it's illegal here,) for the first few years of my daughter's life. I only stopped because we moved at the pickup location was no longer convenient for me. I might start up again though and see if DS can tolerate it. Some people are able to better digest and process raw milk, because unheated milk contains its full complement of enzymes and lactase-producing bacteria needed by our bodies to break down and assimilate the milk sugar lactose. These helpful bacteria are killed in the pasteurization/homogenization process. Fermented milk products like yogurt and kefir are naturally lower in lactose due to various lactic acid-producing bacteria, and are often better tolerated by some.

Good bacteria, probiotics, etc are needed in order to properly colonize our gut flora. Living human breastmilk is obviously the first choice for this, but a formula made with raw grass-fed organic milk is considered a second best alternative. Commercial formulas do not contribute to a healthy gut flora, a shortcoming well known within the industry, and some scientists are trying to find ways to incorporate probiotics into the formulations in an effective way. You can do this by making your own with raw milk. Find a good source, don't buy it blindly. Treat the process with as much care as you would buying human breast milk from someone. We bought a "share" in a cow, and then paid a weekly processing fee to receive the milk or have it processed into butter, yogurt, or ice cream. We could visit our cow on the farm.

motherboy

My friends get unpasteurized milk through their produce & dairy co - op. My husband loves it, he say it tastes so fresh and clean. My UO--all milk is gross and only acceptable in recipes or with cereal.

Latham12

A great article from Raising Natural Children on FB: https://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2013/09/dear-mom-who-tried-to-breastfeed-and-thinks-that-she-failed.html

readyforround2

@motherboy I have to agree with you. I don't like milk at all unless it's in cereal. My husband on the other hand can drink a whole gallon by himself in a couple days. We usually buy two. One for him and one for my cereal and cooking lol

GromMom

If you're going to try breastfeeding first, I would recommend researching galactalogues (sp?) and then stocking up on them, they are things like oatmeal and brewers yeast that are known to increase milk production.  Personally I know that those things helped me.  Also helpful was having other moms to talk to who were able to successfully breastfeed.  They taught me about the supply and demand and not being able to just pump in the day and let dad give a bottle at night.  The #1 thing for me that cemented our breastfeeding relationship was that I decided to bed share after 3 or so weeks.  I was scared of it by the hospital and all of the baby classes I took but in order to truly feed on demand (I am a super heavy sleeper and was not hearing the crying)  I needed my baby next to me.  I barely had to wake to feed him and that really helped me have a good production.

The other misunderstanding I had was that I thought a machine was more efficient so I kept trying the pump...while that can't hurt (It actually can cause overproduction if your'e not careful) the baby can always get more milk if he/she needs it.  I was pumping and thinking I was "all dried out" after an ounce, when my son could happily stay on the breast and get more let downs.  Once someone explained that to me I had a lot of success as well.

Good luck with breastfeeding, I know it doesn't work with everyone but really it is the easiest once it's established, no boiling and mixing etc and it's always available.

4littlebears

GromMom said:

If you're going to try breastfeeding first, I would recommend researching galactalogues (sp?) and then stocking up on them, they are things like oatmeal and brewers yeast that are known to increase milk production.  Personally I know that those things helped me.  Also helpful was having other moms to talk to who were able to successfully breastfeed.  They taught me about the supply and demand and not being able to just pump in the day and let dad give a bottle at night.  The #1 thing for me that cemented our breastfeeding relationship was that I decided to bed share after 3 or so weeks.  I was scared of it by the hospital and all of the baby classes I took but in order to truly feed on demand (I am a super heavy sleeper and was not hearing the crying)  I needed my baby next to me.  I barely had to wake to feed him and that really helped me have a good production.

The other misunderstanding I had was that I thought a machine was more efficient so I kept trying the pump...while that can't hurt (It actually can cause overproduction if your'e not careful) the baby can always get more milk if he/she needs it.  I was pumping and thinking I was "all dried out" after an ounce, when my son could happily stay on the breast and get more let downs.  Once someone explained that to me I had a lot of success as well.

Good luck with breastfeeding, I know it doesn't work with everyone but really it is the easiest once it's established, no boiling and mixing etc and it's always available.

So true about the pump vs. Baby. Babies are WAY more efficient at getting the milk out. I couldn't pump to save my baby's life, but they nursed very successfully. A lot of women think because they aren't getting much with a pump that they aren't producing. But yes, supply issues DO happen. My only goal is to be realistic, and a lot of women who think they had supply issues did not actually have them. Not saying any of the ladies here are any of them, I don't know any of you or your personal situations and even if I did I am not an expert on your life.

I will also clarify that while my kids lost weight, they were not going hungry. They didn't cry after and were always satisfied. They did nurse often in those first days. My pediatrician never threatened me while my kids weren't gaining weight yet. I would have found a new one, and he is a very practical man who reminds me of a younger/nicer version of my dad.

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Stargirlb

There is nothing magical in factory formula that you cannot replicate at home. At least not that I'm aware of. I am wondering what specific aspects of factory formula you are worried are inherently lacking in home made ones? In fact, it's clear to me that homemade formulas could theoretically be better-- because you can use raw milk and other high quality perishables that for practical reasons are either not in infant formulas, or do to the highly processed nature of factory formulas, are rendered useless or unable to be fully absorbed by the body.

It's like the ol vitamin vs natural food source debate. Your body can absorb and process nutrients far more efficiently from foods in their natural living forms better than from factory-made vitamins. There is a time and place for the factory option-- but I'm not seeing the evidence that it's superior to naturally sourced nutrients. 

Yes, it will require a lot of work and research to make sure you are getting the formula right, but there is a ton of crap in many commercial formulas that you do not need. Corn syrups, carageenan, calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide... the list goes on, and you don't know where the ingredients even CAME from or how they were processed! Yes, they have to contain a full list of 'essential' vitamins, but they are not necessarily in absorbable form. Like Calcium carbonate, which is glorified chalk. This is not the same form of calcium found in natural milk. I have many issues with Carageenan, and I avoid all food products that contain this. 

I one perused the formula aisle, and was shocked that I could not find a single. can. that did not contain something that I knew from my research had no place in an infant formula. This is true of ALL PROCESSSED FOODS, so why would factory-made formula be any different?? Even the 'natural' branded ones. It was upsetting for me. This is why I don't think we should poo-poo the idea of making our own if it comes to that. 

Obviously it's never "ideal" to feed the baby something other than breastmilk, but when it just isn't available, your baby will be okay if you do a good job researching and compiling a well rounded formula. 

Stargirlb

If someone decides to trust ME over themselves or their doctor or whatever, I could care less. That's not my problem or my concern. I am sharing information and my opinion, and I put a lot of time and effort into researching these things. That research continues. I've challenged someone to come up with something that is in an infant formula that is innately superior to something you could make yourself. That you might incidentally contaminate your formula is true-- that's true of all food you grow, make, prepare yourself. 

Now, I've encountered many people whose 'life's work' is to give medical advice, and they still gave me SHIT advice. I can think for myself, and encourage others to do the same. Expert opinion is most certainly valuable, but it does not exist in a vacuum. I can still dissect it. Going to medical school is not the only way to become an expert in anything related to infant formula/breastfeeding, blah blah blah. I get why the "recommendation" is to use something processed from a can. Because we believe most people are stupid and negligent and can't be trusted to feed their babies. That may even be true. But taking the advice meant for the lowest common denominator is not something that remotely appeals to me.

mommytoomany

Karyo syrup can cause botulism read up

Cbeanz

For moms who haven't seen a Similac label yet, I encourage you to read one.

98% Comprised of Corn Syrup, Sugar, Cow Milk Protein, Safflower/Soy/Coconut oils, and Oligosaccharides (non-digestable sugars which feed gut flora).  The remaining laundry list is basically a multivitamin.

As far as we know, babies will get "all" the nutrition they need from this formula, but keep in mind, nutritionists are constantly learning and reformulating when we discover new essential micronutrients.

I don't advocate feeding a newborn random concoctions from your kitchen, but I don't believe there's anything magical about commercial formula, either.

BookitBoo

@Mamasaurus15‌ it's difficult to describe. While pumping I managed to produce 1 oz of milk a day. The most I ever produced in a day was 2 1/2 oz. That doesn't include whatever he managed to suckle (which I doubt he got any). That was alternating between breastfeeding and pumping every 3 hours. Never experienced let down and, after breast feeding, DS would cry and be inconsolable until he got a bottle. I attempted to breastfeed and pump for 3 months before deciding it wasn't working for our family. It took 4 days before I decided to supplement and as soon as the milk touched his lips I saw his eyes light up. It was a really emotional moment for me, realizing that he was literally starving.

We left the hospital and I had been EBF. He had lost 11% of his body weight, maybe? I don't remember the exact percentage. The pediatrician was concerned which is why we were scheduled to come back 2 days later.
My doctor 'milked' me when I spoke to him the next week and agreed that there was no milk.

I had planned to EBF so I didn't have a pump and I had a two pack of unopened Dr. browns I had intended to return to the store or donate. The formula he got the first night was actually a premade bottle that a doctors office (or maybe the hospital?) had sent home with us that I had intended to drop off at church. He only got it because he had been screaming for hours and would latch, suck, and pull away screaming some more.

I tried all the tricks (fenugreek being the most memorable. And crying over a beer). and it didn't increase my supply.

My entire family had been unsuccessful in breastfeeding so I just hoped that it would skip me. It's not just matter of willpower or know how, and ultimately feeding your child trumps all other dogmas and plans.


I hope you are able to breastfeed with no trouble whatsoever

ghostof5letters

BookitBoo

I did forget that, but DS was getting jaundiced when we went to his 2 day check up. I assumed it was because of a seperate issue and not because of not getting enough milk, but that makes sense now.

Thank you!

readyforround2

Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing as breastfeeding jaundice. Thank you both for sharing.

longcat07

kmfreema said:

Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing as breastfeeding jaundice. Thank you both for sharing.

it's a bit of a misnomer...it isn't so much jaundice caused by breastfeeding as much as it's just that the baby can't get enough food from breastfeeding alone to get the biliruben out of his/her system because of supply issues or whatever else.  DS had this problem too.