What counts as exclusive BF?

[FrumpyPumpy]

At the risk of sounding really quite stupid what constitudes exclusive BF?

DS is 19 weeks and BF. He also has EBM feeds and has had formula in the past: About 20 feeds up to 8 weeks, one FF at 11 weeks, and one FF at 15wks (because ran out of EBM and wanted to drink go out for dinner with friends).

Does this count as Exclusive?

I know it does not really matter, he's doing well on what's he's had and that's the main thing.

constitutes

He's not been exclusively breastfed if he's had formula. However, I believe the theory regarding the virgin gut is that once you lay off the formula it can repair itself.

Exclusive breast feeding means no formula at all.

So no, having had formula milk in the past means that your ds can't be considered as having been exclusively breast fed.

Yes of course. I knew it was a stupid question. I am usually able to think for myself, honest.

that's just part of being a mum

Anyone got any good ideas for new MN names?

Tricky - this definition is from a briefing from NICE, based on WHO definitions (the numbers refer to the list in a glossary of terms):

1. Initiation of breastfeeding: the mother is defined as having initiated

breastfeeding if, within the first 48 hours of birth, either she puts the baby to the breast or the baby is given any of the mothers breast milk (Department of Health 2005) www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/16/96/04071696.pdf

1. Predominant breastfeeding: the infant?s predominant source of nourishment is

breast milk. The infant may also receive water or water-based drinks (such as sweetened or flavoured waters, teas and infusions); fruit juice; oral rehydration salts (ORS); drop and syrup forms of vitamins, minerals and medicines, and folk fluids (liquids used for non-nutritional purposes, such as oil to relieve constipation) in limited quantities. With the exception of fruit juice and sugar water, no food based fluid is allowed under this definition (WHO 1991).

1. Exclusive breastfeeding: the infant has received only breast milk from his/her

mother or a wet nurse, or expressed milk and no other liquids, or solids with the exception of drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, mineral supplements, or medicines (WHO 1991).

Currently, your baby is exclusively breastfed. He has always been predominantly breastfed. Hope that helps

Yes it does! Thank you all.