Weird question re: breastmilk

Laura0575

So, if you had 2 under 2 and an over supply of milk for #2, wold you give expressed milk to your toddler even if he/she was on regular cows milk?

CTri17

yep, I'd def consider it, or I'd build up my freezer stash

bingham101

You could always donate too.

hoping4sticky

If she was sick definitely. Not sure on a regular basis

Asquared

I spiked my older dd's milk w/ it if she was getting sick- worked like a charm! I didn't give it to her straight though.

Kaiterz

I guess if I had it on hand and she was sick, I never thought about it though...  But not as a regular practice. 

sapgirl76

Yes, but I'm planning to tandem nurse anyway.

badrobotbaby

If organic milk prices keep going up I'd consider it.

thefarmchick

I did last time and I'll probably do it again this time too.

kmpls

Sure but I would probably just freeze for LO for when I was out of the house for H or sitters to use.

Mrs.Teddy

I never thought about this, I'm hesitant to build a huge freezer stash because L wouldn't drink defrosted milk well, it had to be fresh or just a few days in the fridge (picky kid!). I'll freeze some but it killed me to throw away the end of my stash! I would defiently do it especially if he was getting sick, and he has asthma so this happens quite often.

On a similar note, if LO#1 is weaned but asks to try to nurse what will you say? I've read/heard (even as an LC at conferences) you should let them, that if its forbidden or special for baby it can add to jealousy etc. "They" also say that once weaned "suckling" isn't natural so once you let them try once they are over it and don't typically ask again. I am fairly confident L will ask, he has already in fact (we've been talking about mama milk). I'm on the fence, I don't think too many peope in my real life would be understanding of this, however its my life in private and I don't have to actually discuss it with them I suppose. I doubt he would go back to wanting it all the time. I guess I'll cross that bridge when the time comes, if it does.

FWIW I did the don't offer weaning technique at 12 months and he was done within a few weeks. He was hospitalized and ill with pnuemonia and dehydration a month alter, I tried to get him to nurse (still had milk) and he wouldn't.

Still free to be me

Since DD is still nursing, I won't hesitate to give her the newborn milk...

mamabear0813

I've thought about it, but honestly, because it is much sweeter I don't know if I will on a regular basis. I'd probably opt to building a good freezer stash for DD instead of giving it to DS because he already doesn't LOVE his milk and I don't want him to get the taste for the sweet stuff again! LOL

I definitely wouldn't full out substitute it for the Whole Cows Milk we give him now. Breast milk, especially for a newborn, has a different level of fat and nutrients especially for newborns and as a baby grows and breastfeeds the composition of the breast milk changes to suit her needs. If we had been nursing the whole time that would be a different story, but since we've been weaned for so long I don't think he'd benefit as much from it as we would benefit from having a good stash. With having a good stash built I would be able to take a break from breastfeeding and have DH feed DD while I spent one on one time with DS. And it's super important to me to make sure he still is feelin' the love from mama.

pamis626

Never thought of this. Great advice!