Would there be any health benefits in giving expressed bm to my weaned from the breast toddler?

[YouMaySayImADreamer]

Have been wondering for a while whether there would be any benefits to this...

I bf my DS1 for almost 14 months before he lost interest because I didn't have much left (had mixed fed 3 days a week and bf on days off from 7.5 months when I returned to work and I think my supply suffered). He has had cows milk since then and is now 2.4.

I am now ebf DS2 who is 4 months. DS1 seems to constantly have a cold as they do and I worry about him picking up little bugs and viruses constantly. I have been thinking about giving him some expressed milk each day maybe on cereal or as a drink.

Would this have any health benefits for him in terms of fighting infections/viruses or would there be no point with it being tailored towards the specific needs of my DS2 who is feeding directly from the breast? Also is it better to let my DS1 be exposed to all these bugs viruses and let his body build up immunity/strength on its own? (realise this might be nonsense as a lot of toddlers would still be bf at this age and there are obviously benefits to this)

There will be some immune benefits, I suppose it's whether they are worth the effort of expressing! I did this a few times - when one or the other of them (or I) got sick, just to hopefully pass some immunity on. I thought it was worth a go. Not sure I'd do it every day or in the absence of any illnesses though (although why not, if you don't mind, I suppose)! x

Hmm that's what i'm thinking as I know there are still health benefits when bf a toddler but that's one who is directly feeding so i'm thinking it'll be different as won't be tailored to him and maybe not worth it?! I'm not a fan of expressing tbh! But was going to start doing it for when I go back to work anyway for DS2 so if I get really good at it may have some to throw DS1's way!

Instead of this you might think about giving him different milk, instead of cows - maybe goats or oat milk? I think cows milk is known to cause mucus production. Not sure about that so pls check with others who are more clued up than I am

Fwiw my 2.4yo is still BF all the bloody time and is currently in the middle of a nasty cold, so it doesn't prevent all ills!

I think the being tailored to the one your feeding is more in terms of fat content - it's more about the nutrition, the immune benefits should be the same for both children. You won't get any immunity benefits from oats or goats milk, so I wouldn't bother with that tbh, unless there's a cow's milk allergy. But if you have breastmilk you were going to throw away otherwise then definitely give it to your toddler rather than waste it, it will do some good (both immune and nutrition).

Thanks all. There is no cows milk allergy as far as I know, but he does have some eczema patches on his face which I know can be linked to dairy...was thinking more of the immune benefits though.

In terms of being tailored to the baby I was thinking of that fact that I know that the body picks up on any viruses the baby has been exposed to from their saliva and produces antibodies to counter it. So itd be specific in this way...I imagine it can't do any harm though.

Spring thats a very good point, I have heard about cancer patients using it too now you mention it, so they must think there's some benefit

DC2 had a horrendous stomach bug when DC3 was bf, but got better like flicking a switch after a single cup of ebm.

Not remotely scientific but anecdotally interesting.

I looked into milk donation but at the time the milk bank was so well supplied they were sending the excess to some adult wards (GI iirc).