XP: extended BF and nutrition science?

e_b_r

does anyone know of any resources that discuss the role of extended BF in the overall diet? i want some science, not just an endorsement that EBF is good. most of what DD's school staff are familiar with has to do with weaning at 1yr to cow's milk. we're not doing that.

plus, i'd like to be able to balance out all the blasted charts i keep encountering that 'suggest' how much kiddos should eat when, at least in my own head.

GretchenlovesMichael

i have no references to share but i'm interested in this info as well.  hopefully someone will have an answer.

cobaltblue

After reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, I am skeptical of "nutrition science" in general.  I just offer my little one lots of healthy foods and don't worry about it--but I can understand why you want to give your daughter's school staff some solid info to support why you're doing something "different." 

 Here's the link to kellymom.com's extended breastfeeding fact sheet:

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

It cites medical studies.

sunnyday016

Is the daycare not wanting you to send BM in a cup for her?

MrsAmers

I don't have any science, but it just seems intuitive to me.  Breastmilk is a "perfect" food for a newborn and infant - well balanced, calorie dense and full of vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.  Why would it stop having so much nutritional value just because a child hits one year?

My DD nursing past a year got me (mentally) through those days when she just picked at her food.  I saw her breastmilk intake as a nutritional boost to cover any bases she was missing with her solids intake.  Like a high-powered vitamin supplement with immunity benefits, too.  :-)

sunnyday016

MrsAmers:

I don't have any science, but it just seems intuitive to me.  Breastmilk is a "perfect" food for a newborn and infant - well balanced, calorie dense and full of vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.  Why would it stop having so much nutritional value just because a child hits one year?

My DD nursing past a year got me (mentally) through those days when she just picked at her food.  I saw her breastmilk intake as a nutritional boost to cover any bases she was missing with her solids intake.  Like a high-powered vitamin supplement with immunity benefits, too.  :-)

This is exactly how I see it now. Literally in a day my DD eats some cheerios, a few bits of cheese, a few bits of pita, and a few sips of whole milk/water. This is just not enough without the nursing. She would not take in enough calories/liquid without the nursing. She's just not ready to be off of BM completely. DD only goes to daycare part time, so I don't send BM with her anymore, but if she was there longer during the day then I would.

To the OP: I think you have every right to expect the daycare to support you in EBF. If your DD isn't eating enough solids to cover her for the time she's at daycare, do they expect her to go hungry?

WyoGal

I remembered someone mentioning the idea that cow's milk is designed for the growth/development of skeletal structures while human milk supports brain growth/development, reflecting the different needs of each species' young.  Here's a site the references something like that, but I didn't do much more than skim so I'm not certain his credentials.  It makes sense to me that human milk is designed for humans while cow's milk is designed for calves. 

https://www.notmilk.com/kradjian.html

 

e_b_r

our DCP will do whatever we ask them to, and they've been great. i've been going and nursing at lunch every day for nearly 8 months now. they've just never encountered a mama like me, i guess? most of the kids on DD's room started the year with BM bottles, gradually mixed with formula, and now only my girl is still getting exclusively BM in bottles.

she eats well (solids), but is no fan of the spoon. we send mostly finger foods. in some discussions about getting ready for the transition to the next age group (all the kids will 'age up' together soon), i mentioned sippy cups of BM. they were just stunned. no objections, just really surprised. me? i'm surprised that they haven't had women provide BM for their 13 month old kiddos before, but that's me

DD is long and skinny, and they've always been worried about her weight at school. i'm not worried and neither is her pedi, but they consider themselves her grandmas and say it is their job to worry.

the kellymom stuff is a good thought. i'll check through those refs, and check out the notmilk link.

EcoBaby

I don't have any science for you but I'm still sending bm to the babysitter everyday. Its not as much as it used to be, but he doesn't like regular milk.

Angela814

e_b_r:

she eats well (solids), but is no fan of the spoon. we send mostly finger foods. in some discussions about getting ready for the transition to the next age group (all the kids will 'age up' together soon), i mentioned sippy cups of BM. they were just stunned. no objections, just really surprised. me? i'm surprised that they haven't had women provide BM for their 13 month old kiddos before, but that's me

I think that's mostly because we get so sick of pumping at work that we choose to stop at 12 months or close to it.

I stopped pumping at 12 months, let daycare give DD cow's milk in a sippy, but continued to nurse her to 3 years.

Good for you to keep it up! That's a lot of dedication.

I think your best bet is any info telling why breastmilk (designed for human babies) is better than cow's milk (designed for baby cows). I don't think I have any good links anymore. You can try mothering.com too. I think there is some helpful info in the stickys here.

https://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=305