Toddler milk changing to newborn milk? (Re: adopted nursing)

[smeep]

So on another forum a woman is saying that she will be nursing her sister's child while her sister is at work (though there is a possibility that her sister may back out and she will essentially become mother, and full time milk mama, to the baby). She is currently nursing her 2-year-old. It was brought up that her milk may change composition for the newborn.

Is this possible? While I do know that the milk will most likely change somewhat (due to increased frequency in nursing, and anything baby is exposed to she will start making antibodies for, which would be the case for any nursling at the breast)...is it possible for the milk to change to newborn composition, or even close? Will her body recognize that it is a newborn nursing and not just a toddler? My first thought was "no" and that it wouldn't even really get close to newborn composition (and, yes, she has been assured that toddler milk is still preferable over infant formula) but then I realized that I haven't actually ready anything that I can recall that says specifically yes or no. I know more about induced lactation/adoptive nursing and about tandem nursing (but obviously pregnancy and the subsequent birth is what changes the composition). Obviously she won't make colostrum...but just how much will it change? Anyone know?

I'm stumped. And I'm rarely stumped when it comes to breastfeeding!

[Mrs.Music]

This is an intriguing question. I would think that her body would adapt if she's nursing this other baby often. Especially given that women who haven't had children at all can nurse babies. And if you think about the generations of children raised by wetnurses. Those women went from family to family feeding just new babies. I wonder if anyone has thought to check the science behind it and see...

[Marissamom]

my understanding is that the biggest difference between toddler milk and infant milk is that toddler milk is way more concentrated because toddlers don't usually nurse nearly as much as infants. And with the increased nursing, there would be increased volume produced, and therefore less concentrated. though I believe there's also a slightly different nutrient balance, and I don't know if that would be affected or not.

[smeep]

Originally Posted by Marissamom

my understanding is that the biggest difference between toddler milk and infant milk is that toddler milk is way more concentrated because toddlers don't usually nurse nearly as much as infants. And with the increased nursing, there would be increased volume produced, and therefore less concentrated. though I believe there's also a slightly different nutrient balance, and I don't know if that would be affected or not.

That's pretty much where I'm stuck at. I know that with adoptive nursing (when mother is not currently nursing another child) the milk will come in as newborn mature milk (the milk of about 10 days pp), but I don't know if the same thing would happen in this case since she's still nursing her toddler. I sent out an email to someone to see if I can get anymore insight on this. I'll definitely update here when I get a response!

I've told her that formula is still far more inferior than toddler milk for the baby, but now I'm just really honestly curious just to know for myself!

[Marissamom]

I do remember reading that some of the earlier adoptive nursers were women who adopted a newborn while nursing a toddler, so there must be someone who has looked at if the milk changes composition. I'm curious now too, so be sure to post if you find an answer.

[TheGirls]

I'd love to know this too. My DP is pregnant, and I'm nursing a 2.5yo (that I gave birth to). She's going back to work at 12 wks, and I'm hoping to nurse the twins during the day (at least partially). I don't know what will happen with my milk composition though when I go from nursing 2x/day to 5 bazillion...