Quick question for the breastfeeding experts...

[frogs]

I know you're all online, as you're arguing on the other thread! Please spare me a minute for this quick query.

I have to leave my bfed dd2 (6 months) for most of tomorrow for unexpected work reasons, and have three bottles worth of ebm in the freezer. I think I should probably have a backup milk option just in case there isn't enough, so what do you recommend: Nanny, that Natra stuff, Hipp or just plain SMA?

We're starting weaning today (when the kids come back from school, as they're desperate to watch her getting her first 'real' food, bless them). She's more than ready for solids, but can't assume that she'll take enough by tomorrow to make any real difference.

Advice, please!

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Depending on how many ozs of ebm, when i returned to work I had a nightmare just making her take breast milk from bottles, i worked part time two days a week and for the first few weeks she held out most of the day for me as she just refused bottles, she lost no weighy either - it was very distressing, i would leave a few bottles but once heated and refused my mother would throw them out.

i really would not worry, feed your baby on the breast right up until you leave the door, get the carer to spare the milk - i wont hurt them for one day, if you dont mind using formula then split the bottles up with half breast half formula this way it wont cause tummy upsets or upset the m with new strange tastes.

good luck - you wont be there so they wont smell your milk

my midwife told me to use Aptamil, I'm doing mixed feeding, as it was the best apparently and dd2 has taken it fine. In saying that we gave dd1 SMA and she was fine with that.

Frogs, at 6 mths she doesn't need formula in the sort of unlikely 'omigod what if we run out of ebm' scenario....she can have water if it is really hot and seems thirsty.

But at 6 mths it's no real issue having formula as she will be on solids (for a whole day!) so the exclusive bf thing won't apply.

Just give her whatever your local shop has in ready-to-feed formulation.

I remain to be convinced that it makes any difference what formula a healthy predominantly breastfed baby has unless there are complicating issues like allergies or illness.

i think Nanny is the best one. its based on goats milk and goats milk is more similar to human milk than cows milk. its also easier to digest than cows milk formula. it also has no added sugar/sweetners/anything artifical which a lot of other brands do.
there a lots of other threads on this.

hadn't read your whole post...3 bottles sounds like loads to me!!
if they are running out before you get home, the last bit of milk can be watered down (with freshly boiled cooled water). dd will have enough to quench her thirst and it will taste like milk to her (just in case she refuses water)

I'm not a "real expert" like Tiktok but I basically agree with what she says. Liklihood is your ebm will be sufficient but if you do want to leave a carton as a backup just buy any brand of readymade first milk. You can use follow on from 6 months but it can be harder to digest, contain too much iron for some babies.

There is no evidence that one particular brand is any better than another. Some milks contain LCP's that are derived from fish oil, if you are not happy with this or are veggy then choose an organic non LCP milk (your dd will be getting enough of the real thing anyway

A friend has offered me an unopened can of Nanny, so that will cover the emergency scenario. Since we've reached the post-6 months weaning stage, I'm not too fussed about her having milk other than ebm.

Thanks for the suggestions!