Organic baby formula, is it selling out????????

[MamaKoala]

I am working p/t, 24 hours a week, about 20 of that away from my 8.5 month old ds......I of COURSE do not want to supplement AT ALL. But I am having a little bit of a time keeping up with DS's bfing needs. He eats about 4 avent bottles, the smaller ones, for every 7 hours i am away....I pump about 2 during that time, if i am lucky.....so i end up trying to pump on the weekend, etc...hopefully i am not pumping milk that he should be eating...anyway, I want my DH to take ds for maybe an hour or so for a walk out of the house maybe 3 days of the week....so i can be alone, read a book, do my nails....and he needs a bottle then, too.....SO.....I need some suggestions....i am taking fenugreek, but i dont really think i am underproducing..i think i just want to pump alot of milk....

okay, so should i try organic formula or should i pump more, or what? I am realy pumping about as much as i can (every 2.5 to 3 hours at work and while he nurses on the weekend...)

THANKS!!!!

[lilyka]

Relax. If you need to supplement with a little formula then go ahead. you are doing the best you can. Themore you stress out the lessm ilk you will have the more you will have to supplement the more stess that will cause IT IS A VISCIOUS CYCLE!! Keep trying to up your milk supply if you can (that stuff isn't cheap)and don't stop pumping but don't co crazy. Your a good momma and you are doing a heck of a lot more than most people.

[oncewerewise]

My sister is in a similar situation and we haven't had any luck finding organic formula. There is such a thing? Do you have a name brand I can do a search on? We're in Canada. Thanks!

Peace.

[Quirky]

http://www.naturesone.com

Although it's labeled as "toddler only" it's fine for babies, it meets the FDA standards for baby formula.

MamaKoala, since he's over eight months already I wouldn't stress it - if it's only an every now and then thing and doesn't start replacing nursing. Heck, my baby is 8 months old and I've started giving him a few bites of yogurt - same stuff, different packaging.

[MamaKoala]

Thanks for all the helpful advice and support. I have seen nature's one at the HFS but since it said toddlers only i didn't buy it or even look at it.

But i will take a look this morning.

Somehow, it's just really stressing me out, all this pumping. And when I need a break and DH is willing to take DS out for an hour, he says to me (obviously) "I need to take a bottle" and I say "But there's only just enough for the sitter tomorrow" and he says "Well, I can't take him out then..." and I just sigh cuz he's right.

If we had formula, then ONCE IN A WHILE he could drink a little.

I wonder, would DS even like it??

I have such strong anti-formula feelings, that it's hard for me to reconcile my need for "me time" and my need for more milk (fake or real).

Okay. I am blathering here

[Quirky]

But if you nursed him before dh took him out, would he really need a bottle if he's only going to be gone an hour?? I bet he would be fine....why don't you try it once or twice and see how he does? He's old enough that he probably doesn't need to nurse every hour.

[waterbabee]

why do you think that brand would be labeled toddler formula then? cause that's the only one i've seen too and have been apprehensive about trying it, but the regular formula is full of junk.

[Piglet68]

My DD is 9 months old and can definitely go an hour without nursing.

Also, don't worry about "pumping milk he should be eating". I used to think this too, but my pump is nowhere near as efficient as DD. Even when I have pumped all I can, she can still get a good drink from that same breast immediately afterwards. Plus, pumping stimulates your body to make more.

Finally, is your son eating any solids at all? My DD only just started recently, but a few spoonfuls of yogurt would probably suffice. Again, being away from you for only an hour or so should not present a problem.

[not trying to say that you are "selling out" if you use formula; but if you really are "anti formula" and you've made it 8.5 mos without using it, your baby is so close to being able to eat other foods....I just think you may end up guilting yourself, and no mama needs that!]

[veganmamma]

ITA w/ Piglet. Once your child eats solids, SO has a lot more room for feeding. Also, I used to pump LOTS and LOTS, some days WAY more than others, and dd jut nursed more frequently on the days I pumped more. What pump are you using at work? I have found that the avent isis works better for me because it stimulates my letdown better. I was pumping over 16 oz a day and nursing all day with no breaks. Too bad you're not near me, I have TONS in the freezer!
Lauren

[Quirky]

Originally posted by waterbabee
why do you think that brand would be labeled toddler formula then? cause that's the only one i've seen too and have been apprehensive about trying it, but the regular formula is full of junk.

I think because they're a small company and can't afford the certification process. If you look on their website, though, they have a page showing how they meet the FDA standards.

Not that it comes close to being breastmilk, but if you need to supplement with formula for whatever reason at least it has healthier ingredients.

[lilyka]

Would your dh be hapy wioth a bottle of juice? It isn't ideal but certainly not out of line for an 8 month old and cheaper than formula. I mean if you are only looking for an hour away your baby will not even get hungry in that time. A sip of juice would make your dh feel batter and give you your free time.

[tracymom]

I second Piglet, veganmamma, & Lilyka

and your DH needs to understand that an hour won't be that bad at 8.5 months; at least kids that age are more easily distracted. Juice or water or even a little formula if DS turns into a little screamer on him would work, or even his just taking a little juice along as a "security blanket" (for DH, not DS) :LOL

And, no, a little formula is not going to be "selling out." My DS had some growth problems at 4-5 mos and I had to supplement for about 5 weeks (I called it "baby Ensure") to jump start his weight gain again. (I know what you all are thinking, but trust me; I'm PCOS and on top of that the fat content in my milk was insufficient). DS at some point decided to start solids by grabbing the food on my plate and soon was very entertained by the idea of eating, so that was around the time my DH relaxed about taking him for any length of time. Strange, because he really didn't give him that much food when they were out - I think it was just the idea that he *could*. LIke I said, a security blanket.

And it didn't mess up the nursing relationship; DS is 3 1/2 and still nurses a couple times a week or whenever he catches a glimpse of bare breast just to remind him of it.

Good luck!