Introducing formula after successful BF?

[LROM]

I posted this in "BF beyond infancy" but no responses, so asking a larger audience...

Dd is 15 months and goes to daycare. She's still nursing on demand eves, 2-3 times during the night (but for very short periods), mornings, and maybe 3 times/day on days we're together all day.

She's winding down on how much she nurses, and my supply is winding down, and my work schedule is getting crazier so pumping is more difficult now. Yet I'm worried about her getting enough Vitamin D and Iron even though she eats pretty well at daycare (I send her food every day and it's usually veggies, pasta/rice, some fruit (she doesn't eat much fruit), and yogurt/cheese and water/juice).

I also know she loves her bottle of BM twice a day (only 3 oz each serving) and I'm trying to think whether it's a bad idea to introduce soy formula or rice formula (if she will drink it) to address my Vit D/iron concerns as well as giving her that nice warm liquid still every day?

I sent cow milk a couple times in the last week and she didn't seem to touch it, and I'd rather rice formula if it's not a bad idea.

Any thoughts? I'm at a loss for how best to handle this.

THANKS!

[PatioGardener]

I didn't know that there was such a thing as rice formula. Soy I have heard of, but not rice. If you have any more info I'd love to know about it - thanks!

If you are refering to rice 'milk', I would not use it as a milk replacement, as it doesn't contain the needed proteins or fats for growing babies - think of it more as rice juice and treat the same way as other juices.

As for the iron, it is rare that you will get a good source of vit D AND iron in the same place, especially if there is calcium too. Have you thought about iron rich food sources, coupled with a vitamin C rich source for good iron absorbtion? Kellymom has some great info: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitami...ml#ironsources

[LROM]

I could be wrong about rice formula, I thought I saw it at a health food store. But you're right, I'm not talking about rice milk, I'm specifically wondering if introducing formula at this stage is somehow either a good idea or bad idea or just neutral?

Would there be any drawbacks? Or is my concern about her getting enough Vit D and iron really dramatically better met but just upping trying to get her to eat iron rich foods? (THanks for the Kellymom link btw!)

[texmati]

Not speaking from any knid of experience-- I know there is sucha thing as follow on, or stage 2 formula, for kiddos older than 1 yo.

[texmati]

also, totally random thought, but after this long while I'd get your pump checked out for suction power (call medela, if you use a medela pump). If you are still pumping you may as well make sure you are getting the most for your time!

[LROM]

Thanks, I'll check out that stage 2 formula. And thanks for the pump tip - I do have the impression it's slowed down a little, although I wonder if that's from residue in the tubes from the one time I wasn't paying attention and milk got in the tubes... still pump mostly the same but it does seem a little slower.

All that said, it's not that I think it's not worth it to pump... I just am getting more challenged to pump at all at work and am thinking it may be time to stop trying. But maybe not... I'll check the tubing and maybe call Medela too.

Thanks!

[MonkeysRUs]

My personal opinion is that rather than spending money on formula, you are much better to offer milk or water. If you are concerned about vitamins, you can speak to her doctor about vitamin supplements. Follow on formulas are a way for formula companies to make more money, and are at best unnecessary. If she's eating a healthy diet during the day, and nursing at night, there really is no need for formula.

[tanyam926]

I wouldn't buy formula bc it is expensive and it is way better for a child to get the vitamins and nutrients from whole foods. There is some really nasty stuff in formula that I would try and avoid at all costs.

I would also avoid any soy formula or soy milk as there are numerous health concerns about them, especially for growing children.

Offering nutrient dense foods, adding some coconut milk (wonderful fats and carbs and tastes really good mixed w/ just a little bit of pineapple or orange juice, but also good plain), and then supplementing w/vit D and iron if you really think she needs it (get her levels tested so you will know if it's necessary and how much to supplement) is what I would do.

HTH!

[LROM]

Thanks everyone, your comments really are helpful. Does her Ped test her vitamins or how do I get her vitamin's tested for Vit D and iron? Maybe she is fine as she is, but I'd like to make sure.

[nelson]

I am wondering why you are nervous about your LO getting these vitamins? I am not sure where you are located, but here in MN, it is getting so nice outside, I don't really worry about vit D anymore. I do make sure we go outside everyday though (without sunscreen and some skin showing). And as far as the iron goes, toddlers absorb way more iron from breastmilk than they do formula, so as long as your LO is still nursing and enjoying a variety of healthy food, I honestly wouldn't worry about it.
FYI, I too stopped pumping for DS at about 14 months, he just drinks water from a cup during the day if I am gone. I thought it would be much harder on him to give up the bottle, but he didn't seem to care at all, he just nursed a little bit more at night.

[LROM]

You know that's a really good question Nelson. You and a PP are helping me realize that I have probably fallen victim to a really mainstream/old school/something Ped and simply because he asked me about whether I gave dd a mulit vitamin and that he was concerned she was getting enough Vit D and iron, combined with me not pumping at work and so now not sending her to daycare with her 6 oz of BM every day... that all sent me into a tailspin about "Oh my gosh, maybe she's DEPRIVED of key vitamins!!"

But healthwise I have no reason to suspect a deficiency, and you're right, it's getting warmer and sunnier out and she will definitely be out in the sun. In April we'll be in a very hot sunny place for a few days and I'll have to do the opposite - make sure she doesn't get too much of it.

Thanks for asking that, maybe I don't have to worry. And good to remember that since she's still nursing (even if it's mostly just morns and evenings), she's still getting better iron that way.

Thanks all!

[Blueone]

Stage 2 formula would be an option. But you could look for liquid toddler multi-vitamins and add some to regular milk of a certain kind. I also heard there is a kid form of Silk Soy Milk that has lots of vitamins.

[PatioGardener]

Here in Canada vitamin D deficiency is a real issue. The sun doesn't make vitamin D in our skin until May. I was tested in pregnancy and my levels are low (I'm fair skinned), so now I am taking a supplement. It is a blood test, just like the test for iron, so if you are going to do one I would ask for both (one poke for baby for both tests at the same time.)

Iron deficiency is more of an issue in babies who had their cords cut quickly after birth, or whose mothers were iron dieficient in pregnancy. If baby isn't getting many iron rich foods, you could test to be sure.

[LROM]

I am concerned about it still, and my Vitamin D concern is I'm pretty sure I've heard several times that humans don't absorb calcium as well if it's not paired with adequate Vit D. So I don't want her missing out on enough calcium as well if it's not enough Vitamin D, and she really hasn't spent much time in the sun since last fall because we weren't outside much in the winter.

I'm going to try to focus more on iron/Vit D/calcium - rich foods and less on the vitamin or formula supplement, but I'll also see if the doc can test her levels next visit (her 18 month visit) just to be sure we're doing ok.

Thanks everyone! I'm still reading so any other thoughts I still welcome!

[rlmueller]

Almond Milk

Tastes like a vanilla milkshake. The closest I think in taste to BM. Man it's good. Give it a shot!

[PatioGardener]

Great to hear you sounding more confident!

Try to keep calcium/vit D rich foods to a different feed from iron rich ones - the calcium interfers with the absorption of the iron.

[LROM]

I love almond milk! I already drink a lot of it, but never looked at the Vit D/calcium levels in it. But maybe it's good for the soothing "I want warm BM-like liquid before my nap" purpose? Thanks for the reminder!

GREAT to know about keeping the Vit D/calcium rich foods a bit apart in feedings from the iron-rich ones. Didn't know they can interfere with each other. Thanks!

[COgirl19]

If she's still nursing at night even for short periods and then during days when you are together I don't think you need to worry. I echo the sentiment of whole foods vs. formula. I would hate to give formula companies any money personally but vitamins and nutrients from whole foods would be better absorbed anyway.