What if you're baby wasn't breastfed?

[Channelle]

Would that change your mind about getting any vaccinations? I know a lot of people don't see vaccinations as necessary because they're baby is going to be extended breast fed. I really don't want to vaccinate, but since my baby is mainly formula fed, or really about half ff and half pumped milk, I don't know what to do? We don't do daycare or anything like that, but she doesn't get as much breastmilk as I'd like...

She's three months old and we said no for the moment at our two month appt. The doctor said if she would like to see us get any vaccine, which one did she feel were the most important, and she said the DTAP (mainly for the P) and the HIB. What do you think about that? I've done a little research myself, still researching, but do you see these as the most important?

[listipton]

If for some reason I was unable to breastfeed any future children, we would still choose not to vaccinate. I would look for ways to support your lo's immune system without vaccinating. Hugs mama, it's hard to decide what you want to do when that pesky fear gets in the way!

[Marnica]

No I still would not vax...the way I think about it is this

Vaccines damage the immune system
Formula feeding also damages the immune system by messing with the gut which is 70% of the immune system.

So If I know that because my baby is formula fed and that will present challenges to his immune system, then overloading it even further with vaccines and causing yet more damage makes no sense to me whatsoever....

[Juvysen]

Any chance you can try and increase your supply?

I think i still wouldn't. Definitely not just for the Pertussis... it's one that's not overly effective, as far as i can see. I might consider HIB.

I'd also be looking into probiotics and stuff to help get baby's gut in order

[ammiga]

I would not vax. Vaccines are filled with chemicals and toxins and are delivered in a manner that is completely unnatural and goes against everything I think a healthy body should go through. They have horrifying side effects, and long term effects that are still unknown. None of these things change because a child is formula fed. If anything, their immune system is even less equipped to handle the junk that vaccines inject into the body.

You can easily find other ways to support a healthy immune system. No processed foods, healthy whole grains, lots of fruits and veggies, organic foods, etc.

[Arduinna]

no

[SunshineJ]

DS was a formula baby, DD was a combo baby and it has no effect on our decision not to vax. Certainly it's better for a child to be breastfed, but being formula fed doesn't negate the potential harm from the vaccines

[lilmom]

Nope..I was so sick when I was pregnant with DS that I did not ever get milk. So he was not breastfed..I did the best I could with organic formula and have always fed him a very healthy diet. He is completely unvaxed and he is he healthiest child out of everyone that we know.

I agree with pp's who have said it is important to support your child's immune system and vax's will tear it down further.

[Channelle]

Ok this thread has been a real eyeopener for me!

Could someone tell me ways to build her immune system? And what did I read about probiotics? I have some for her, because I was put on antibiotics two days before I gave birth, but never have used them on her. Would probiotics help her? Do they counteract the formula then?

Oh and Juvysen- I'm trying so hard to increase my supply!! Any suggestions? I've been taking blessed thistle, pumping more, mother's milk tea...anything else I could be doing?

Thanks everyone!

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by Channelle

Ok this thread has been a real eyeopener for me!

Could someone tell me ways to build her immune system? And what did I read about probiotics? I have some for her, because I was put on antibiotics two days before I gave birth, but never have used them on her. Would probiotics help her? Do they counteract the formula then?

Oh and Juvysen- I'm trying so hard to increase my supply!! Any suggestions? I've been taking blessed thistle, pumping more, mother's milk tea...anything else I could be doing?

Thanks everyone!

head over to breastfeeding challenges for advice on increasing supply (if you haven't already) I have a friend who had great luck with this stuff... http://www.amazon.com/More-Milk-Plus.../dp/B000IT49NW But assuming you don't have a medical issue causing the low supply it's generally about nipple stimulation... more nipple stimulation = more supply (I expect you've been over that, though, since it's been a while of this)... I'm sure the ladies over in breastfeeding challenges will have some good advice, though, if you can tell them what's been going on. They're great with troubleshooting over there, from what I've seen Any chance you can spend a couple days nursing/pumping all day? sometimes that's enough of a kick to get it going...

It's awesome that you're able to do half and half, though! Every drop of breastmilk your baby gets has antibodies and stuff in it, so keep up the good work, mama!

And yes, you should be able to give her some probiotics. I don't think they'll counteract the formula, but just make her gut more able to deal with it and be healthy.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Channelle

Ok this thread has been a real eyeopener for me!

Could someone tell me ways to build her immune system? And what did I read about probiotics? I have some for her, because I was put on antibiotics two days before I gave birth, but never have used them on her. Would probiotics help her? Do they counteract the formula then?

Oh and Juvysen- I'm trying so hard to increase my supply!! Any suggestions? I've been taking blessed thistle, pumping more, mother's milk tea...anything else I could be doing?

Thanks everyone!

The gut flora of formula fed babies is totally different than breast fed babies.

babies fed formula have a high gut pH of approximately 5.9-7.3 with a variety of putrefactive bacterial species

relatively small amounts of formula supplementation of breastfed infants (one supplement per 24 hours) will result in shifts from a breastfed to a formula-fed gut flora pattern (Bullen, Tearle, Stewart, 1977)

http://massbfc.org/formula/bottle.html

Yes, she should be on probiotics. Make sure you get a brand that is specifically for babies...it has certain types of bacteria ....Bifidobacteria (Bifidus infantis)....that breast fed babies have in their gut. Adult formulations of probiotics do not have this and can be too harsh for babies.

Also try and give prebiotics if you can
http://www.parentingscience.com/prebiotics.html

[Channelle]

Thanks Juvyson and Marnica! I will start her on probiotics then, I bought some made just for baby. I also will look into prebiotics, more milk plus, and breastfeeding challenges...

[Channelle]

Thanks Juvyson and Marnica! I will start her on probiotics then, I bought some made just for baby. I also will look into prebiotics, more milk plus, and breastfeeding challenges...

[angie7]

My twins were born prematurely at 30 weeks. I started pumping right away and had problems from day 1 producing enough milk for them. At first, no problem since they were little (around 3lbs each) but as they grew, my supply seemed to dwindle. I tried mother's tea, fenugrek, etc with no help. I continued to pump what I could but had to start supplementing formula. Neither one ever really took to the breast by the time they could nurse so I had to continue to pump. They came home at 2 months old and still didn't nurse. I was caring for them and pumping around the clock for very little milk (8 oz or so total out of both breasts!) They developed colic and my supply went to nothing and I started to dry and by 4 months, they were 100% formula fed.

In saying all that, my twins are 100% vax free. We made the decision when I was pregnant not to vax and them being a preemie and being ff did not change our decision. They just turned 4 years old, 2 weeks ago and are healthy as ever. I can count each runny nose on both hands, nothing more severe then a 1 day cold bug. Antibotics once for a UTI and that was just last month. First time since birth that they were on any meds. They have no lasting effects from being a preemie.

We think diet and adequate sleep makes for healthy kids. They get a lot of organic such as milk, yogurt, apple sauce, etc. With the economy the way it is, we feel the crunch so we had to cut back on a few things but we still make sure they get the bulk of their diet organic. Also they eat a ton of fruit a day. They will pick fruit over anything else. We do not eat a lot of fast food and to be honest with you, they just started even liking any of it. But we live in the country and don't have easy access to it. We also make sure they get a good solid 12 hours of sleep at nite. We don't over schedule their days and keep a routine.

Sorry this is so long but you can have healthy kids without being 100% bf.

[november]

Don't feel like you need to justify your reasons for ff, even if you're only supplementing.

FWIW, I am not breastfeeding at all at this point. It didnt work out, and my daughter is doing fabulously on formula. That said, I will not be vaccinating her ... and has nothing to do with being ff or bf. I would have made the same choice regardless.

[yara1]

I did not breastfed (not that I wanted not to, rather for technical reasons...).
My child got two vaccinations in the beginning (when I was not informed about a poisoning side of vaccines yet),
and that were the only times when he got sick and extremely weak: right after and while after,
after each vaccination attempt.

Later on, he became a vaccine free
and doing good and perfectly healthy, even though never got a breast milk...

[Jugs]

There are also probiotic blends that contain colostrum, which would do even more to support her immune system.

[Channelle]

Thanks everyone, and JUGS that is so interesting, definitely looking into that!

[SusanaLaLoca]

Originally Posted by Jugs

There are also probiotic blends that contain colostrum, which would do even more to support her immune system.

I just looked one up and it's bovine colostrum. I feel weird about that. Should I not?

[ammiga]

Originally Posted by SusanaLaLoca

I just looked one up and it's bovine colostrum. I feel weird about that. Should I not?

I would feel weird about that and would not use it. If it were from a goat, I might consider it, but not from a cow.