Parenting Newborns & Infants (0-1) Support Group

Feeding your infant and ensuring they are getting enough nutrition is one of the most important aspects of parenting during that first year. This community is dedicated to those who are nurturing a baby, whether breastfed or formula-fed.

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Dawnee222 05/25/2011

Okay so everything I read says to wait until 12 months - I know I know. And I can easily call my pediatrician, but I would like some honest answers here. My issue is this (I have 2). I still breastfeed (about 2 to 3 times a day during the week - I'm a working mom) and feedings have diminished greatly since DD has started eating solids. I still pump at work twice a day, but in the last few months or so, my supply has greatly diminished. So much so that in the next month, I'm not sure I'll have enough to bring to day care. I mean sometimes I sit down to pump and I never get a let-down. Today I sat there for 15 minutes before anything came out and that was only because I had 15 extra minutes to spare. Many times, I don't have the time to sit there and wait. Sometimes it's so bad that I have to take the shields off, wait 5 minutes and try again. Other times, I just give up. I used to pump 5-6 ouces from each side in 12 minutes flat. Now I'm lucky to get 2 to 3 ounces from each side in 25/30 minutes! My two issues are these: 1) Not sure why I'm having let down issues at almost 11 months. I'm okay with producing less milk, I expected that, but I wasn't prepared for let-down issues; and 2) Is it okay to start supplementing with whole cow's milk around 11 months? I am about to give up pumping at work or at least cut down to 1 pump a day. It's become very frustrating. It's really taking up some serious work time I don't have. I should probaby add that I do not have let-down issues when I'm nursing, only pumping. Anyone have any these issues? I was thinking of starting to mix breastmilk with cow's milk soon. Just so can start getting DD's body used to it. Like one part cow's milk, 3 parts BM, then gradually increasing the cow's milk. Would it be wrong to start doing this when she's 11 months? I'm just not sure I'll have enough to keep her going until 12 months and she hates formula.

deleted_user 05/25/2011

Go for it
Now would be a good time while you can still mix part BM part cows milk! It'll help make the transfer easier

joleneLS 05/25/2011

In Alberta, Canada, where I live, they say you can switch at 9 months. My daughter was on cows milk by the time she was 9 months and she was fine. But I don't think a month off of the recommended age will do much harm.

deleted_user 05/25/2011

I think giving cows milk a week early is probably fine. Have you tried massaging your breasts while pumping, it can help with letdown. I have also heard that some people listen a recording (like on a cell phone) of their baby crying to help with letdown.

deleted_user 05/26/2011

I haven't BF since my son was 3 weeks and now he is 5 months so I dont have too much experience. But it was a constant battle for us to BF & my Ped and LC told me that stress can effect your let down. Maybe that's why when you are at home & clam & relaxed you dont have any problems, but then at work you feel rushed & frustrated about it. Good luck, hope everything goes well with the cows milk.

WinniePoo 05/26/2011

We started transitioning my DS at 11months by mixing cow's milk and formula...by the end of this week he will be on all cow's milk except for his bedtime bottle since we have formula to use up. He just turned 1 yesterday

deleted_user 05/28/2011

My Ped ok'd whole milk at 11 1/2 months...

deleted_user 05/28/2011

if you want to try another milk that would be great too..maybe goats milk...that would probably be easier on the tummy if that is a concern, since it is closer to human milk than cows milk is. I give my one son almond milk, he actually perfers that over cows milk.

deleted_user 06/01/2011

My son is drinking formula. I was never able to get an ample supply of breast milk for either of my children. When I pumped, if I got 3 ounces from both breasts total, that was impressive. Maybe you should try formula for the next month? Ask your pediatrician. My pediatrician told me today to avoid all dairy until my DS is 12 months old b/c dairy can cause severe allergies.

myrachie 06/07/2011

there are alot of herbal suplements that work. Sometimes when you introduce cows milk early it causes an allegy to milk. As well some babies just hate cows milk so good luck with that. Have you tried wick maybe you can switch to formula and it has a cows milk base. just make sure talk to your dr before you do anything because sometimes it does more bad that good. My mom switched me early and i have the worse allergy to milk

Dawnee222 06/07/2011

I talked to my ped. He said it was okay to start slowly transitioning cow's milk with the BM. He just said to gradually increase it over the next month and by the time she is a year, she can be fully on cow's milk. Last week I just instructed my day care to do so and she did just fine. No issues whatsoever. Today I'm going start pumping at work only once a day now instead of twice. The second pump barely produced anything anyway. Now that I'm starting this transition, I'll have to admit, it makes me a little sad to think my DD will be weaned in the following months. But I know it's for the best.

deleted_user 06/08/2011

If you want to try fenugreek for a month to just help witht he transition. It helps with supply, I would also recomend eating oatmeal, it really dose help, and drink TONS of water.

Also just pumping or feeding dry for 5 to 10 min extra a day helps with supply. I had toubles with letdown with my first. I am not sure why I was either, but it did not last too long, weird phase I guess

I know alcohol and cigg prevent let down, I am not suggesting you drink alot or smoke, but those are some of the reasons for let down probs that I know of

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