BLW for exclusive pumpers--advice?

[hugs buggs]

I've been lurking for over a year, and am finally posting.  I'd really appreciate your experience and advice.

Brief-as-possible background:  my son is 10 months old, and I've been pumping exclusively since he was about six weeks old.  He was on Alimentum formula for about two months after I almost lost my milk, and re-built my supply.  I'll be going back to work full-time at the beginning of September (he'll be one at the end of September), and frankly, I'm pumped out.  Oh, and I don't have access to donated breast milk.

Though he's showing more and more interest in solids, my baby is still getting most of his nutrition from my breast milk (he's drinking about 37oz per day right now), and I don't imagine that is going to change a whole lot within the next month.  While I do have quite a stash in the freezer, it isn't going to last for ever.  

To complicate matters, he's dairy intolerant.  I've recently experimented with goat as well as raw cow milk, and he still reacts (when I eat this. I haven't fed him dairy directly).  I'm really nervous about feeding him soy, as I've heard that a lot of babies who are dairy intolerant are also sensitive to soy, and also because of the hormonal implications.

I'm also nervous about getting myself into some super-complicated routine for making home-made formula, especially if my intention is to spend as much time as possible with my son.

On the other hand, plenty of kids are weaned at one, and they survived, right?  Am I making too much of all of this?  Do you have any suggestions?  I'd sure appreciate your insight.

Thank you,

Isabel.

[~Adorkable~]

welcome to mothering.com! 

as someone who has also pump to fill 2 mouths for the last 6 months, i just want to say you are amazing for sticking it out this long! wow.

since mine are still younger than yours i dont have a lot of advice, but im guessing that you will get more input over in the BLW are or the bresastfeeding area in general.  i can ask the Moderators to move this post over if it doesn't get replies. tons of ladies around here have been in similar situations, im sure they would love to help you out with ideas. 

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by hugs buggs 

To complicate matters, he's dairy intolerant.  I've recently experimented with goat as well as raw cow milk, and he still reacts (when I eat this. I haven't fed him dairy directly).  I'm really nervous about feeding him soy, as I've heard that a lot of babies who are dairy intolerant are also sensitive to soy, and also because of the hormonal implications.

That is an impressive amount of pumping.  I had to pump for a month and hated it with all my heart, so good for you for making it this long.  No real suggestions other than to say my son is also dairy intolerant and we tried soy (biiiiiig problem) and rice milk (also terrible) and hemp milk (no reaction but he hated the taste) and finally settled on coconut milk.  He likes it a lot and despite lots of reactions to other foods, this one has been great.  It has also worked well for a couple of other friends with sensitive kids.  Silk now sells coconut milk, but we buy the So Delicious brand.  They sell it in the refrigerated section at Whole Foods in half gallon cartons.  Depending on where you live, you can find it almost anywhere.  Just remember it comes in a carton and not a can...two different things which confused me initially but they are very different things.  Good luck with your transition.

[hugs buggs]

Thank you, ladies.  You gave me ideas for better search terms, and the information is definitely there :)

APToddlerMa, do any of your friends 'spike' the coconut milk to make it less of a 'beverage', and a bit more like formula (knowing it wouldn't be the same as formula)?  I've seen a few recipes for spiking soy or rice milk, but since the nutrition profile for the coconut milk is a bit different, it might call for different ratios or ingredients.  I think I might try my luck over at the allergies forum.

If anyone else has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks!

[APToddlerMama]

They haven't so I don't have any good advice on that.  It does have a decent amount of fat but maybe you could add a multivitamin?  Allergy forum will likely have lots of good ideas. 

 

Originally Posted by hugs buggs 

APToddlerMa, do any of your friends 'spike' the coconut milk to make it less of a 'beverage', and a bit more like formula (knowing it wouldn't be the same as formula)?  I've seen a few recipes for spiking soy or rice milk, but since the nutrition profile for the coconut milk is a bit different, it might call for different ratios or ingredients.  I think I might try my luck over at the allergies forum.