bfing, formula, and food

[asberck]

When I discovered I was pregnant in January 2010, I was battling some pretty extreme respiratory issues because of mold in my classroom (former Waldorf teacher).  I was also dealing with major depression and exhaustion (also a benefit of being a Waldorf teacher).  I went on temporary disability at five months and delivered my healthy DS in September.  

DS was exclusively breastfed for nearly four months.  During this time, my DH and I opened a restaurant.  During the four months of exclusive bfing, I was having lots of arthritic pain.  I took my prenatal vitamins and attempted to take care of myself despite the ridiculous amount of work and stress.  I was also in such a constant state of nervous anxiety that I itched until I was nuts.  

With GREAT sadness, I introduced formula at four months.  Dr. ordered lots of tests and determined that bfing was draining me so much that he wanting me to quit altogether.  I refused and have been supplementing and bfing for two months.  

I feel ten times better now.  Now onto my questions:

Could I return to exclusive bfing?  My 6mo DS is healthy and thriving and huge.  Would my exhausted body be right back where I started from?  If I cut back on formula a little, how do I increase milk supply or is it too late?  

And finally, how much rice cereal or apple sauce or other solid can DS have every day?  I just have no idea...

[katelove]

Yes, I think you could try returning to exclusive BFing if you wanted to. I would just gradually decrease the formula feeds to allow your supply to build. So maybe on day one you replace one formula feed with a breast feed. Then, a few days later you replace another one and so on. Many women find that their supply is best in the morning so I would probably suggest replacing the first formula feed of the day with a breastfeed to start with.

As far as solids go, at 6 months he doesn't really *need* to have any solid food. Most people on this board tend to avoid rice cereal, as there isn't really any nutritional benefit, and tend to go for whole foods. Have you heard of baby led weaning? It's a great alternative to spoon feeding which you may enjoy.

Kellymom is a great resource for all things to do with feeding babies. http://www.kellymom.com/ There are sections on introducing solids as well as increasing milk supply and staying well yourself.

All the best and welcome to MDC.

[asberck]

Thanks for the advice.  We are doing baby led weaning and DS is enjoying it a lot.  Spent a good long time with a carrot yesterday.  However, he never slept for more than two hours at a time at night for a long time so we added rice cereal to his bottle and it gets me a few more hours sleep which are few and far between!  So although the nutritional value is nil, the sleeping value is...without value.  :)  Thanks again!

[katelove]

Ah, ok. Not sure how you will find EBF in that case as your LO will probably need to feed more overnight.