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February 2011 Moms
EBF'ers please come in...BM stash & solids question
I have 2 seperate questions...I'm really just looking for opinions here. Maybe even what you have done.
First question. When is it time to put the pump away? I EBF and faithfully pump and freeze 4 ounces every day. So, I have about 300 ounces in my deep freezer right now. I started thinking...am I really going to use this? I'm a SAHM, so I never have to go into my stash and if I go out with MH, we're never gone for more than 2 feedings. So, it's about time to stop pumping every day, right? TIA.
Next... Our Pedi told us we could start cereal then fruits and vegetables, 3 times a day, at our 4 month appointment yesterday. M is completely satisfied with just BM right now, so I do not feel the need to rush into solids. The Dr said it was fine to wait another month or two if I wanted and that a lot of nursing Moms choose to wait until 6 months. If she starts to seem hungry before 6 months, like she needs more than just BM, of course I will start solids at that point. What are your thoughts? Anyone else decide to wait?
Thanks again!
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Re: EBF'ers please come in...BM stash & solids question
I ep but if I've learned anything after being hospitalized is that anything could happen. I had to pump/dump or a week.
We were told cereal with his last feeding then fruits. He's not taking to the spoon so we're waiting on fruits until then. we still try cereal each night
Here's my thought on the stash. Are you planning to BF until your DD is a year and can drink cow's milk? What if she self-weans before then? I have a friend who is a SAHM and her daughter just turned 9 months and is starting to prefer the bottle/sippy over the breast. Wouldn't you want as much stashed as possible so you can keep giving her BM and not have to use formula at all? At 30 ounces per day, you'd go through your stash in 10 days if she decides to wean earlier than a year. I would LOVE a huge stash that would allow me to keep giving BM even after DD weans. Especially if you have a deep freezer that allows you to keep the milk for up to 12 months. So, personally, I would keep up the pumping even though it's annoying to pump all the time.
As for starting solids, I'm with you, I don't think there is any reason to push them early. I'm planning to hold off until Audrey gives us signs she's interested in eating solids: when she starts to watch us eat, when she opens her mouth for a spoon. I don't see anything magical about 4 months that means they're automatically ready. But, I don't want to hold her back either. If she's curious about it, I'll let her taste the new foods.
You make a very good point. I hadn't even thought about if she self-weaned or would prefer a cup! With that in mind, I will continue pumping. I don't find it annoying at all, just wanted to make sure it hasn't just become a routine and I will be left with a freezer full of milk.
Yes, I'm definitely waiting for that curiousity factor too.
Very true.
I'm not helpful on the milk thing, but MAN am I jealous of your stash!
My pedi suggested not starting anything til 4 months if we WANTED to start asap, but recommended 6 months, as did the wonderful ladies at the local WIC dept. They're all pro bf-ing around here.
That's awesome that you get 4 oz a day! I pump once a day and usually get 1 oz. I would keep pumping if I were you. I'd rather have too much than not enough if your schedule changed for some reason.
My pedi also said we could start solids now if we wanted to. She didn't express any need to start now, however, and said it would be perfectly fine if we wait until 6 mo. Like others have said, I will wait until DD show signs of interest in eating solids. I EBF right now and I have no desire to introduce solids until she needs them (that costs extra $!). My pedi told us to do cereal then veggis then fruit. She said if we do fruit first they might not eat the veggis as well because fruits are so sweet!
Here's what I'm doing: I have 288oz of BM stored in my freezer. I don't have a deep freezer, so I'm donating 200 of it to a mom here who needs it. (via Human Milk For Human Babies CA) I pump at least 3-6oz per pumping, and I pump 2x at night. So, my stash is replenishable. I'm going to keep storing up, and at 6 months I'll start keeping whatever I store for the future. It's good for baby rice, mixing with baby food to make it a little less thick for baby's tummy, and it's excellent for date nights when you leave the bambina with a sitter! For now though, I'm going to donate what I can to whoever needs it.
Bonus: The lady I'm giving my milk to is bringing me a box of milk storage bags in return for the milk! Woot woot!
Edit: Derr, the solids thing. My ped told me today at her 4 mo check up that I should start with solids at 5 1/2 months, just some baby rice at dinner. If she likes it, great. If not, wait another 2 wks. She said by 6 mo, they like to have baby on 2 solids a day- a veggie at lunch, and rice at dinner. After a week of that, I'll should start giving her 3 solids a day.
(Not quite sure how well that'll pan out... my last child didn't even like solids til she was 7 months!)
I read a study, given to me by my OB (course now I have thrown it out) that talked about a seriously reduced risk of allergies/asthma to infants who were EBF, no solids, until six months. DH is allergic to damn near everything so that is the plan. Though we do bring LO with us to all meals now and sometimes he gets little tastes of stuff put on his lip thanks to his Dad and Grampy (mashed potatoes and brussel sprout juice is what he got to taste last night). However, we are planning on doing Baby Led Weaning, so we won't be doing the whole jarred food cereal thing so it may not be totally valid to you.
I also agree with PP, keep the stash, its better than having to pay for formula god forbid anything happen.
I plan to keep pumping for 12 months. My stash is usually 200-300 ounces, and I don't have a deep freeze, so I am donating some of my stash through Human Milk 4 Human Babies NY so I can continue to freeze for DD. I get 8-10 ounces per pump and pump 1x in the morning every day and 3x at work on the days that I am there all week. I usually use my morning pump and a little frozen for her supply for the sitter and freeze all of what I get at work, so my stash builds quickly, but I like to have it, just in case I need it. I would kill for a deep freeze so I could store more without having to donate it, but at least there's someone local who can use it!
My pedi wanted us to start solids at 4 months (she'll be next week) but she seems satisfied right now and I don't plan to start solids until she seems too hungry or hits 6 months.