How much breast milk for immunity benefits?

[gardenbelle]

Does anyone know how much breast milk a 21 pound 20 month old needs in order to gain the immunity benefits?  My daughter has selective IGA deficiency but still breastfeeds which I think is what is keeping her from being sick a lot.  She is winding down on the nursing (only about 4 times a day), but I would like to know at which point I need to start pumping in order to keep her intake enough to help her immune system.

Thanks!

[TiredX2]

From what I have read, the immunity benefits of breastmilk actually increase as your production goes down.

That said, you could always encourage her to nurse more.  Are you still offerring every couple hours and she just turns you down most of the time?  Are you sure you *can* pump at this point (many women with older nurslings find it hard to start pumping)?

good luck!

[gardenbelle]

That is encouraging to hear that the immunity benefits go up as the production goes down.  Good old mother nature, she thinks of everything. :)  As far as encouraging her to nurse, I really want to let the weaning go naturally and I don't want to push her to nurse at this point, but I probably could - she is always up for some boob and a snuggle.  I periodically pump for my friend who has an adopted infant so I'm pretty confident I would have no problem pumping once a day or so.  Thanks for the info and advice!

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by gardenbelle 

 As far as encouraging her to nurse, I really want to let the weaning go naturally and I don't want to push her to nurse at this point, but I probably could - she is always up for some boob and a snuggle.  I periodically pump for my friend who has an adopted infant so I'm pretty confident I would have no problem pumping once a day or so.  Thanks for the info and advice!

"Don't Ask, Don't Refuse" is considered a weaning method (a child-respectful, gentle weaning method but one just the same) anytime before 2ish.  Kids that age just get so distracted they often don't nurse because they don't think about it (heck, there are 5 months old like that, lol).  Of course, now that I've said that your child will probably be one of the ones that "remembers" to nurse that often until 5!

If you pump for an infant it sounds like you will probably be one of the lucky people who *can* pump if they want, so you always have that option.

Good job

[gardenbelle]

Thanks for the info!  Yes, I didn't know it had the "Don't ask, don't refuse" name, but this is what seems the most natural for us as our nursing days begin to wind down. :)  She'll probably keep the morning, nap and night one for quite some time though; I really can't imagine her giving those ones up any time soon, esp that night one.  It's good to hear that the immunity benefits get stronger as the breastfeeding gets less, so I know she'll be getting enough even if she drops down to only 3 feeding a day.  Thanks for your help!