Going to Grandma's, Would formula or goat's milk be better

[ctrygirlatheart]

My 9 mo is going to start going to grandma's twice a week for several hours as I am getting frustrated having her at work with me all day. I need to send something with her as a substitute for breast milk and am wondering if it would be okay to give her goats milk because I am pretty set against the formula that Grandma is pushing. I have a friend who has weaned her 11 mo to goats milk and know another mom who weaned to goats milk at 10 and 3 mo with no apparent adverse effects. Certainly not ready to wean, this would only be an occasional thing, maybe once or twice a week. Would love to send breast milk but my supply is already low and I can't get much when I pump (like 1/2 oz during a session using all the tricks). I am sure that I could eventually get enough from pumping but I literally don't have 20 mins a day to myself to add that in. Thoughts on this?

[Abraisme]

Perhaps you can get some donated breastmilk on MILKSHARE? Or I know that Mercola has a recipe for homemade baby formula that used whole food ingredients. I would think that mercola's recipe would be better than formula or goats milk..

[cristeen]

Goat's milk by itself doesn't have everything she needs, and it is very dangerous for a child that is 3 mo - so please don't do it just because someone else did... you have no idea what kind of long-term harm may have been done.

Does she eat solids? How many hours is she going to be away? Honestly, if it's less than about 4 hours, and she's eating solids, she may not need a bottle at all. If she's gone more than 4 hours, then you need to be thinking about pumping anyway, because otherwise your supply is going to take a hit, which it doesn't sound like you can afford.

Between goat's milk and formula, I'd recommend formula every time. As the pp said, there is a homemade baby formula recipe available on the WAPF website - but the ingredients are a bit expensive for something you'll only be using occasionally. You also can't just mix up a bottle's worth, you're mixing up a day's worth at a time, and it doesn't keep. You can also expect some amount of backlash if you even discuss using a homemade formula, I've gotten flamed several times on here for discussing it.

A child under a year needs BM or formula. If she's only going to be away for a couple hours and can eat solids during that time, then I'd say to stick with a sippy cup of water and just BF her before and after.

[Alisse]

Definitely formula over goat's milk. It's healthier and made so that baby has all she needs for now. Goat's milk won't be bad but by itself it isn't nutritious enough.

[Drummer's Wife]

I'd go with the formula - if pumping is not an option.

[Blueone]

Definitely formula if you can't pump.

[Sharlla]

Originally Posted by Abraisme

Perhaps you can get some donated breastmilk on MILKSHARE? Or I know that Mercola has a recipe for homemade baby formula that used whole food ingredients. I would think that mercola's recipe would be better than formula or goats milk..

That would be my first choice if I truly could not pump even after going to the WIC office and using their hospital grade breast pump.

[weliveintheforest]

if its just a few hours I would give solids and water, and maybe some goat's milk. I don't think she needs formula if she is still nursing lots when you are with her.

[Kiwiontheloose]

you can get goats milk formula can't you?

[claddaghmom]

9 months....twice a week...several hours...I'd say no supplementation at all. Some yummy veggies/fruits, finger snack foods...water...and a grandma with toys is all she needs.

[ctrygirlatheart]

She is eating solids and I would certainly send her with that, but it would be more for comfort than nutrition I suppose. Something that she could drink out if a bottle if she was starting to lose it. I already feed her yogurt maybe four times a week as a part of her meals, I guess I just don't see how goats milk once or twice a week is all that different.

[junipermuse]

If it's one bottle as a supplement to other solids, two or even three times a week, then I would totally go with goat's milk over formula because the goat's milk is a whole food and formula is not. It is definitely true that formula must be used instead of milk (cow or goat, not human) if it is a primary source of calories because formula has the correct balance of nutrients, but milk is safe for babies who are 9 mo if it's small amounts if they are also eating a variety of other solids and if breastmilk is making up the majority of their calories.

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by ctrygirlatheart

She is eating solids and I would certainly send her with that, but it would be more for comfort than nutrition I suppose. Something that she could drink out if a bottle if she was starting to lose it. I already feed her yogurt maybe four times a week as a part of her meals, I guess I just don't see how goats milk once or twice a week is all that different.

On this, I would say yes to the goat's milk. It makes no sense to introduce formula at this point and if she is already tolerating cow products she will probably do great with goat products.