9m refusing breast- is it detrimental to NOT give formula, and just go straight to cow's milk and plenty dairy?

[bramblina]

I am not happy, he's teething and refusing breast, over 2 wks now. I am expressing but can barely manage 2oz per day, it's not enough. I just really want to avoid formula....any advice?

cows milk does not have enough iron or vitamins to be the main milk for a baby under the age of 1. Formula is made from cows milk so what is so wrong with it if you would give cows milk anyway?

Yes it is
Cows milk is low in iron
Too low for a growing human
It's not reccomended until after aged 1....
Although its fine in food eg porridge

U are not suppose to give to babies under 1 year...

Why do you want to avoid formula? It's what is recommended for babies.

I can't see any benefit at all to giving cows milk over formula for a baby under one, formula is essentially modified milk. Why do you want to avoid it?

What about pre-mixed formula? If it's making it up you want to avoid.

Cow's milk on it's own isn't enough no.

Cows milk is far more preferable at this age. If he was almost a year old then moving to cows milk might make sense. Why do you want to avoid formula?

How long has he been refusing BM? If its teething related is there anything that helps? Hopefully it'll be short lived.

Argh... Rewrote the first sentence and contradicted myself. Obviously formula is preferable.

Grr.

If you want to avoid formula would you consider a milk bank?

Info here on nursing strikes and solutions.

Milk bank? Facebook has milk sharing groups. Obv risk involved but I follow and see genuine people who have surplus milk to give away.

Goats milk formula? A friend used instead of normal formula. Worth researching if you feel strongly about not giving cows milk formula.

Oh god hobble yes, or a wet nurse! But I live remotely, 70 miles from the nearest town in N Scotland and I'm not sure there is even one there.

It's irrelevant why I want to avoid formula really, no actual reason other than I have a personal issue with it, it is synthetically fortified cow's milk, which wasn't available 100 years ago and the human race survived!!! Yes I know, babies had deficiencies etc yadda yadda I don't need corrected, but I have breastfed 3 babies, have a personal issue with bottle feeding- I will not go on. I just have an issue with it.

OK I'll need to readdress the situation then if iron it is. Can supplements be given? I Googled it but couldn't get any facts and figures.

How do we know that breasted babies at 9m are getting enough? My other two dcs breastfed well, and plenty, but the intake is never measured so how can we be sure they're getting enough iron?

Would you contact your local La Leche League? They were fantastic for me, incredible knowledge and support. They are available all the time, ring anytime. It is very unusual for a baby of 9 months to abruptly self wean. I went thru this and found it very distressing, LLL was great. Got me thru it.

Yes it's synthetic breast milk.
But cows milk is for calves so why give that?

Cows milk is also higher in salt.

Supplements are also synthetic so why give those and not formula

I know what the LLL said to me: no baby given the right conditions, will deny themselves what they need to be healthy. I wouldn't be too worried about the iron situation, your LO is probably eating many other foods that are providing iron. The iron in breast milk is very easily absorbed so measuring it is not comparable to formula, where iron is quite different and difficult to absorb. I understand your formula issues. I hate the suggestion that babies can only get iron from formula.

You need to get a grip and do what is best for your baby.

Well, exactly. Why bother?

(Creature)

surely it depends what else your LO eats?
If a good mixed diet, no problem with ordinary cows milk. If they still get a lot of nutrition from milk, might have to be formula ( tho' I recognise your issues)

Creature what's synthetic breast milk?

Thank you, lurkingaround. I share your thoughts re babies taking what they need. Not all babies are the same so I don't understand how we should give them all one kind of formula (unless they are "hungry babies" or whatever else) and give them all the exact same quantity each.

Thanks, jumpingpillows, I am actually which is why I am on here and trying to find out facts and why formula is better than the amount of breastmilk which I can express- which, if my ds did not stop feeding, would be all he would be taking, which, because he would still be "breastfed" that would be deemed as enough! Now how does that make sense?

how often are you offering the breast?
how close to finishng tbis bout of teething is she?
have you tried gooing to bed with her and doing skin to skin?

I take it you're giving her all the expressed milk?
how often are you expressing? evrn if only 2oz at a time, it's okay alongside food especially if it's zeveral times a day

are you expressjng when she's hungry? it can help with let down

sorry he!!
not she

I translted ds as dd

Not that much bioavailable iron out calcium in milk other than breast milk tbh. You'd be better off making sure he gets lots of foods rich in these in his diet. Small boned fish, Green leafy veg, firm tofu, chicken, eggs. so many things other than dairy really. My brain is a bit dead atm or I'd think of more.

Shalli, I cook all his meals from fresh food. I cook a variety of foods so he gets a good balance. He had spinach and cream cheese pasta tonight, then kiwi and natural yogurt after, so there's a good amount of iron followed by the vit C he needs with which to absorb it. Now, I compare that diet to that of some babies who are raised on either jars of processed food, dreid packet mixes or ordinary family ready meals yet are formula fed- now would that be a better option for my baby? I think not, this is my point.