Just called pedi, about the hungerstrike, got in touch with nurse. She said that there were no know benefits to bfing after 6 months???? Is this right?
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Wow, I am trying to find an article on the WHO website. Of course it has benefits, but most organizations (WHO included) recommend BF exclusively for 6 months. I know that some of the immunitiies and things start to be not as effective after 6 months.
Everything I've read stresses the benefits of BFing for up to one year, recommended for two. However, most articles also say that the 6 month foundation is most important. You've made it. In any case...6 months, 1 year, Newborn...To me it doesn't matter. You do what you have to do to keep a heathy child...That includes FFing if BFing doesn't work out!
I always feel weird posting about BF issues as we did not (was forced to FF because I never got milk). Anway, from my understanding of things there isn't "Not" a benefit. That's a double negative, I know. The point is, there are still benefits to BF but the initial benefits and building up their immune system, antibodies, etc., I think that happens within the first 6 months. But to say it's not beneficial, would be to say FF isn't beneficial after 6 months and just give them all food and nothing else. Maybe she meant that the major benefits of BF are up to 6 months and that if you were to switch to FF then he's not missing the major things. Maybe? I know you're struggling right now, and can't imagine what you're going through, so I'm grasping at straws as to what she might have meant.
I always feel weird posting about BF issues as we did not (was forced to FF because I never got milk). Anway, from my understanding of things there isn't "Not" a benefit. That's a double negative, I know. The point is, there are still benefits to BF but the initial benefits and building up their immune system, antibodies, etc., I think that happens within the first 6 months. But to say it's not beneficial, would be to say FF isn't beneficial after 6 months and just give them all food and nothing else. Maybe she meant that the major benefits of BF are up to 6 months and that if you were to switch to FF then he's not missing the major things. Maybe? I know you're struggling right now, and can't imagine what you're going through, so I'm grasping at straws as to what she might have meant.
This is what I was thinking, too. Obviously you have to feed your baby, but the difference between formula and BM reduces after six months, I'm guessing.
This makes me feel better, actually. My milk is drying up without my permission and I've been kind of sad about it!
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Breastmilk is beneficial to baby/toddler for as long as you want to breastfeed. Studies show that the longer kids are exposed to breastmilk, the lower the incidence of allergies, higher IQs, lower risk of best cancer for mom, not to mention the immense comfort baby gets from breastfeeding. Call a lactation consultant. They can help with situations like this as well as"regular" breastfeeding problems. Sounds like the assistant at your pedi's office isn't informed enough to be able to help you.
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I'm not sure about benefits after 6 months, although the advice surprises me. I thought we were supposed to BF as long as humanly possible... (at least that is how my doc talks). I was trying to get some info on switching or supplementing and he just kept saying, but things are going well.
Although, I'm not entirely understanding if your pedi is suggesting just switching right to FF. Isn't the problem that LO isn't taking a bottle and only wants the breast? How will switching completely help with that when he refuses?
BFP # 1 - June 2nd, 2011 - EDD Feb 5, 2012 Birthday Feb 10, 2012
BFP # 2 - Jan 19, 2012 - EDD Sept 24, 2013 - CP Jan 24, 2012
I would have to completely disagree with your pedi here. From the AAP:
During the second half of the year, your breast milk will continue to provide the great majority of necessary nutrients as she starts to sample a variety of new foods. Though your baby will no doubt greatly enjoy the introduction of new tastes and textures in her life, her experiences with solid food are still just practice sessions for the future. It?s important to make sure she continues getting enough breast milk to meet her nutritional needs.
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Not right. There are benefits of breastfeeding up until any age, really.... Ridic. I think it should be mandatory that pediatrician offices have LCs on staff.
The nurse is wrong, but I agree with those who said she may just be trying to make you feel better. If she knows that you're back to work, trying to pump, your supply is dropping, and you're having issues then she could just be trying to make you feel better about formula feeding. I felt a huge amount of guilt that I never got much of a supply in. The most I ever pumped was 18 ounces in a day and when I stopped pumping at 3 months I was only getting 7 ounces total from 6-8 pumping sessions a day. That doesn't go very far for 2 babies. I felt like I failed my babies and the LCs, pediatrician and nurse all told me that I had done them a world of good by giving them even the small amount of breastmilk that I did for 3 months and not to worry about stopping pumping (I was going back to work so I wasn't going to have as much time to pump so there was no point in continuing to rent the pump). They knew that I tried every herb, tea, drug, and food anyone could think of and that I had spent a small fortune on a pump rental and weekly meetings with an LC (where I had to pay a co-pay for me and BOTH babies!) and that I felt extremely guilty and upset and they just wanted to try to give me a little peace with everything.
Here's the thing - there are definite benefits for you and your baby after 6 months. No one will deny that, and if you push the nurse I'm sure she'll agree. But more then needing breastmilk your baby just needs to eat SOMETHING. When my girls were getting some breastmilk and some formula they always scarfed down the breastmilk and fought the formula. While they're still not great eaters, they did better with the formula once we stopped breastmilk. If you are considering stopping breastfeeding and think that will help, you've done an awesome job up to this point and should be proud of it! If you want to increase your supply to see if you could pump BM for daycare then I'm sure an LC could help out. Maybe you could try mixing breastmilk with formula and get your LO used to formula that way. You need to do what works best for your and your LO. Stopping pumping was emotionally one of the hardest things I've ever done, but moving to the girls being exclusively FF was the best thing for our family.
Whatever you decide, good luck! (and sorry for the novel)
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Not right. There are benefits of breastfeeding up until any age, really.... Ridic. I think it should be mandatory that pediatrician offices have LCs on staff.
Agreed! I don't think many pediatrician offices are equipped to help with breastfeeding issues. And regardless of whether you BF or FF, there are always benefits to breastfeeding a baby and they don't stop at 6mos. It sounds like a lactation consultant might be more helpful in your situation, OP.
Re: BFING after 6 months?
Wow, I am trying to find an article on the WHO website. Of course it has benefits, but most organizations (WHO included) recommend BF exclusively for 6 months. I know that some of the immunitiies and things start to be not as effective after 6 months.
Everything I've read stresses the benefits of BFing for up to one year, recommended for two. However, most articles also say that the 6 month foundation is most important. You've made it. In any case...6 months, 1 year, Newborn...To me it doesn't matter. You do what you have to do to keep a heathy child...That includes FFing if BFing doesn't work out!
My Colton...Growing up so fast!
And Coralee, his baby sister...On the way!
I always feel weird posting about BF issues as we did not (was forced to FF because I never got milk). Anway, from my understanding of things there isn't "Not" a benefit. That's a double negative, I know. The point is, there are still benefits to BF but the initial benefits and building up their immune system, antibodies, etc., I think that happens within the first 6 months. But to say it's not beneficial, would be to say FF isn't beneficial after 6 months and just give them all food and nothing else. Maybe she meant that the major benefits of BF are up to 6 months and that if you were to switch to FF then he's not missing the major things. Maybe? I know you're struggling right now, and can't imagine what you're going through, so I'm grasping at straws as to what she might have meant.
This is what I was thinking, too. Obviously you have to feed your baby, but the difference between formula and BM reduces after six months, I'm guessing.
This makes me feel better, actually. My milk is drying up without my permission and I've been kind of sad about it!
This. I don't mind if it matters medically or not, my BM is free!!
I'm not sure about benefits after 6 months, although the advice surprises me. I thought we were supposed to BF as long as humanly possible... (at least that is how my doc talks). I was trying to get some info on switching or supplementing and he just kept saying, but things are going well.
Although, I'm not entirely understanding if your pedi is suggesting just switching right to FF. Isn't the problem that LO isn't taking a bottle and only wants the breast? How will switching completely help with that when he refuses?
I would have to completely disagree with your pedi here. From the AAP:
During the second half of the year, your breast milk will continue to provide the great majority of necessary nutrients as she starts to sample a variety of new foods. Though your baby will no doubt greatly enjoy the introduction of new tastes and textures in her life, her experiences with solid food are still just practice sessions for the future. It?s important to make sure she continues getting enough breast milk to meet her nutritional needs.
FACEBOOK FEB 12 BUMPIES ADMIN - POST & PM ME TO JOIN
The nurse is wrong, but I agree with those who said she may just be trying to make you feel better. If she knows that you're back to work, trying to pump, your supply is dropping, and you're having issues then she could just be trying to make you feel better about formula feeding. I felt a huge amount of guilt that I never got much of a supply in. The most I ever pumped was 18 ounces in a day and when I stopped pumping at 3 months I was only getting 7 ounces total from 6-8 pumping sessions a day. That doesn't go very far for 2 babies. I felt like I failed my babies and the LCs, pediatrician and nurse all told me that I had done them a world of good by giving them even the small amount of breastmilk that I did for 3 months and not to worry about stopping pumping (I was going back to work so I wasn't going to have as much time to pump so there was no point in continuing to rent the pump). They knew that I tried every herb, tea, drug, and food anyone could think of and that I had spent a small fortune on a pump rental and weekly meetings with an LC (where I had to pay a co-pay for me and BOTH babies!) and that I felt extremely guilty and upset and they just wanted to try to give me a little peace with everything.
Here's the thing - there are definite benefits for you and your baby after 6 months. No one will deny that, and if you push the nurse I'm sure she'll agree. But more then needing breastmilk your baby just needs to eat SOMETHING. When my girls were getting some breastmilk and some formula they always scarfed down the breastmilk and fought the formula. While they're still not great eaters, they did better with the formula once we stopped breastmilk. If you are considering stopping breastfeeding and think that will help, you've done an awesome job up to this point and should be proud of it! If you want to increase your supply to see if you could pump BM for daycare then I'm sure an LC could help out. Maybe you could try mixing breastmilk with formula and get your LO used to formula that way. You need to do what works best for your and your LO. Stopping pumping was emotionally one of the hardest things I've ever done, but moving to the girls being exclusively FF was the best thing for our family.
Whatever you decide, good luck! (and sorry for the novel)
Agreed! I don't think many pediatrician offices are equipped to help with breastfeeding issues. And regardless of whether you BF or FF, there are always benefits to breastfeeding a baby and they don't stop at 6mos. It sounds like a lactation consultant might be more helpful in your situation, OP.