What would you do - BFing

meggers102

I have BF my DD for all of her 10 months.  However, in the past few months my supply has slowly been dropping.  Now as my freezer stash is dwindling and I simply am not making enough to satisfy her I have to do something different.  My goal was to make it 12 months plus but that doesn't look like it will be the case.  I am a bit heart broken about it.

I have a few options, would love to hear what you think and what option you would choose if you were me.

1.  Supplement with WCM and when my freezer stash is depleted just continue with only WCM.  I didn't plan on introducing WCM until she was 1 but we are 55 days away.

 2. Supplement with formula.  Then change again in a month an a half to WCM.

3. Supplement with BM from a dear friend whose supply is incredible.  My DH is creeped out by this option.  Not sure if it is because it is one of our close friends or if it is just simply another woman's milk.

I am going to call my pedi in the morning to see his recommendation too. Thanks for your thoughts ladies!

 

kacelle

1.  55 days is a long time in terms of baby's development.  I would not introduce WCM this soon.

2.  It might be a pain to supplement with formula only to switch to WCM in a couple of months.  However, we started supplementing with formula at 9.5 months and switched entirely at ~10 months and are now giving WCM (as of a week before DD's first birthday) and the transitions were really smooth for us.

3.  I would absolutely use a friend's BM.  That's a fantastic option for you to have available!  I doubt that a pedi would recommend it due to liability, but that'd 100% be my decision.  

katie4253

Personally, even if pedi gave me the okay for WCM, I would use formula and then transition to wcm.  Formula is cow milk based, so the transition should be easy. 

ETA: I would have no issue supplementing with another mom's milk as long as I knew it was healthy.  

Sacagawea

Go for your friend's milk, it will be easier for your LO to digest.

clineak

I'd go with option #3 since she's your friend and you know her background.

StefandTodd

The fact you have donor human milk from a reliable source so readily available is huge!  I'd do that.  Hands down.

I'm in a similar situation, but my LO is only 9 months and my supply is tanking due to pregnancy.  I have about 55 oz left in the freezer, and then I'll be asking my pedi what he recommends I supplement with.  I imagine we'll supplement with formula until 12 months.  Good luck  

babyAutumn

The recommendations here are start WCM in sippy cup from 9 months on.  By the time my LOs were 10 months old they had a varied diet and by 11 months DD had completely weaned herself off formula and was only drinking WCM and she never had a problem.  She got all of her nutrients in other ways.  I BF DD until she was 5 months, DS#1 until he was almost 6 months and this time around I've managed to keep up with it and am still BFing.  If I have a sudden drop in BM I would supplement with formula but around that 10-11 month mark I would start transitioning to WCM without a second thought...providing LO is intaking his nutrients elsewhere.  I would speak to your pedi about your options before making a decision.  FWIW I agree with you DH...it would be too creepy to give my friend's BM.

Atalanta0214

I was in the same boat.  We've been mixing BM with 1/3 formula each day for her daycare bottles.  At night, I breast feed her until I can tell that she is not getting as much milk out and then I switch to formula for the last ounce.  I feel that way she is getting mostly BM with some formula.  Hopefully she is getting the BM benefits still while getting the rest from formula.  You've made it this far, you should be proud.  Just do what is necessary for your child at this point to be healthy.  Some people don't make it this far and their kids are just fine.

sheryn2

Congrats on 10 months!

Because I still have free formula in my closet that I got in the mail, #2 without a thought.  I would have to think about #1 or #3 - consult dr, lactation consultant.

At 7 mos I started using 2 oz of formula a day in her cereal. I felt bad about it then (being a perfectionist and all), but now I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.  It was no big deal.  I thought it was the "beginning of the end" but here I am 2 mos later and still going.  At 8 mos, after the bedtime nursing, I offered as much formula as she needed - typically none, but sometimes 2 to 4 oz.  I was preparing to offer her formula after every bottle of BM, but she decreased her consumption (and/or is reverse cycle).  Now at 9 mos we are back to formula only after her bedtime nursing on occasion --- and if she wakes before 4:00 am on DH's nights.

Congrats!  Easier said than done, but move forward with your next plan proudly and happily!

~S

arevans31

My dd turns 1 on Wednesday. I'm still breast feeding and supplement with formula. I personally would not switch to wcm yet. I have been supplementing for a while mainly when I'm at work since I work full time. I really would like to wean her soon. I personally find it kind of weird to use someone else's milk but that's just me! 

MLF135

I would not introduce WCM that early.  Personally i would use my friends BM if you trust her and know she is healthy.

meggers102

Thanks for all of your input ladies.  It really is so helpful to hear your opinions.  I talked with my DH about it again and he said that he is ok with using our friend's milk as it is best for our DD. (I know he is still weirded out by it, but he will get used to it   So option #3 it is!  I am so relieved as I have been stressing about this for awhile and am now glad to to have just made a decision.  Thanks again for all your thoughts!

Michellie7

I vote option #3 by a landslide

DenverBride2005

no other advice to give since it sounds like you made up your mind to go with #3, but just wanted to say I am in the same boat and I am glad to hear that I am not the only one trying to make it to a year BF-ing but with a dwindling supply.  We are having to go with option #2, supplmenting with formula for one bottle a day, and I pump at that time and freeze it so we have enough to make bottles for daycare--I figure as long as he is getting mostly BM for as long as possible, we're in good shape.

emilys629

I just want to throw out a question, are you sure your supply is dwindling and your DD just doesn't need less? How much is she getting? At this age 16-20 oz a day is normal. How short are you?

I would chose either option 1 or 3. I would not bother with formula at this point. 

LMBecky11

I think that's awesome that your friend would be willing to help you out. I would use a friend's milk if I was in your situation.... Or I would do formula. I have given my LO WCM a few times, but that was just to taste. I think BM or formula have what a growing baby needs more than WCM would have. BUT, I know of some older people who said their baby switched to WCM at 6 months old... and honestly, their kids are long since grown, but they turned out fine. So if the friend's milk turns out not to work, or your baby won't take formula, then going with WCM won't be the worst thing in the world, especially since she is nearing a year old.