Re-introducing Breastmilk?

MKmommy7 · May 2013

I have an interesting predicament - Can't seem to find the answer online!

I have a newborn, and my milk supply has practically shot through the roof. Since I started pumping, I not only have way more than necessary for the new one, but enough to give my 18-month-old.

We EBF through 1 year, and weaned him onto whole milk since then.

Now that I have so much milk, would there be any health benefit to re-introducing BM? Or am I creating infant-friendly BM that's not fatty enough for toddlers?

TiffanyBerry · May 2013

Yes, your breastmilk is going to be less fatty right now for the infant, but it will still contain healthy gut bacteria and lots of antibodies to whatever bugs (colds/flus) are going around. I don't know that I'd go through the trouble, but it certainly wouldn't create any harm and has the potential for a (slight) benefit.

MamaOrdia · May 2013

I am no doctor but I am currently 6mo pregnant and also have a toddler. I am hoping I will be able to pump enough to do this exact thing. So far my 14 month old was breastfed until she was almost 6 months then I put her on goats milk from a co-op farm. Her immune system has been so strong since birth and I really want to keep the anti-bodies building. So I am thinking why not? Breast milk is so sweet I doubt she will have a hard time drinking it again plus it will help keep her strong before the flu season starts again. In my opinion re-introducing breastmilk only has benifits to a child and it is rare a mother is able to offer, so I say... Go for it!

oliversmommy32912 · May 2013

I would absolutely give my toddler some breast milk if I had an abundant supply.

kalette · May 2013

Yes I'd give it in a sippy, just like with WCM. That way you don't have to worry about weaning again.

MKmommy7 · May 2013

kalette:
Yes I'd give it in a sippy, just like with WCM. That way you don't have to worry about weaning again.

Thank You for all these great responses! Today I gave my toddler 2 oz in a sippy cup just to see if he'd go for it. Of course he did, since it's sweeter.

Does anyone think there is not enough good fats in BM (as my body is creating it now, for the hewborn) like there are in WCM?

emnoahmom · May 2013

kalette:
Yes I'd give it in a sippy, just like with WCM. That way you don't have to worry about weaning again.

This. I did this with my kids, but mixed it with WCM. There are so many different studies opinions ect, but I could only think there would be benefits vs. problems. Go for it!

namara5532 · May 2013

tomandtracyvidal:
Does anyone think there is not enough good fats in BM as my body is creating it now, for the hewborn like there are in WCM?nbsp;

I'd like to think that breastmilk is more nutritious than WCM. Maybe not as fatty though, but I'm no milk nutritionist. I still BF my 15 month old, but he also gets WCM occasionally. For your LO, I'm inclined to say just don't replace all the WCM with only breastmilk. But giving them some breastmilk sounds like a great idea.

MrsNash37212 · May 2013

tomandtracyvidal:

Does anyone think there is not enough good fats in BM (as my body is creating it now, for the hewborn) like there are in WCM?

Even though your infant is young, there's an extremely good chance that your breastmilk is actually higher in fat than WCM. Average is 4% (same as WCM) and it can be as high as 10%.

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