anyone else NOT breastfeeding? - Page 2

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by holothuroidea

I fail to see how it would be unethical for a LLL mom to donate her milk to you. I say, it can't hurt to go to a meeting and see if anyone has had a similar experience or can help. I would consider giving the child donated breast milk to be, in essence, breast feeding. Therefore, LLL is a support group for YOU too.

LLLi does not support milk sharing as a CYA corporate measure, so leaders aren't going to allow discussion of such during the meeting. However, bringing it up after the meeting--particularly by first emailing the leaders of the group and explaining and asking for non-LLL time after the meeting--would be just fine from what I understand. It just can't be done in a way that implies any sort of responsibility on the part of LLLi.

[sapphire_chan]

How about setting up a mini-fridge and fire-safe bottle warmer thingy in your bedroom?

[meredyth0315]

Charlene, most of the formula cans will say right on the front label if DHA etc is included. As far as storage, I actually kept some pumped milk in the fridge in a 4 ounce glass bottle as I would mix the formula with the expressed milk instead of distilled water. I used the glass bottles as well for freezer storage, the plastic bags seemed to spill for me and I would get so upset that I would pump just to lose some of it Then I would gradually thaw in the little pan before a feeding. I always got Evenflo brand, it didn't matter too much to me what brand as long as I could sterilize them.

[DocsNemesis]

I believe glass is better for keeping the nutrients as well, although I could be wrong (and I use plastic baggy things from Lansinoh most of the time-although I will have some long term storage of milk with this one so I think I'll get glass for that).

Also, if baby has any ANY issues with formula, you can get a prescription and try to get your insurance to cover donor milk from a bank. Personally I dont like going that route since they do all this stuff to it and it looses some of the good stuff, but if using a private donor made you too nervous you might want to try that. My surro daughter had milk from a bank for 3 months.

[boobyfeeder]

They make these ice cube tray things with covers that you can pour expressed milk into, then freeze. Then you pop the cubes out and put them in a freezer bag. They are the perfect 1 oz size, so you can thaw only what you need without wasting, and it saves space. Just label the bag with the date.

My sister used Dr. Brown's bottles, she tried the Playtex drop ins first and they gave my nephew awful gas.

[Astoria]

Just a few thoughts. I've never bottle fed but I read a lot.

Baby Bargains (a famous book) has a blog in which they are currently discussing and keeping readers updated on the issue of BPA's in bottles. They are banned in Canada now and Babies R' Us and Walmart are committed to banning them soon, but haven't yet. But most plastic bottles still have them. Be aware and careful about this. Dr. Browns' still have BPA's in their plastic, though they are committed to bringing out a glass line soon. Avent has BPA's. But there's a list out there of bottles that don't -- I'd look for that list. I think its by a blog called z recommends or something similar.

Also added DHA's in formula are very controversial right now. I'd google it and see if you can find some information on it. First of all, they are from an odd source, I don't remember what, but not a naturally occurring source. Secondly, they don't appear to be usable or absorbable by the body in the form their in. Third, as a fat, they can go rancid in formula. And fourth I think there have been some negative events associated with them. Google around. The DHA's in formula are not like flaxseed oil, they are artificially manufactured and very odd.

Also remember that if you give liquid "premixed" formula, your baby may not be willing to transition to powdered. That could be fine with you, but just keep it in mind. The texture and taste are very different and the liquid formulas are much more expensive.

If you go with conventional formula, once you and your ped have decided on a good choice, there are "formula clubs" or buying clubs in which you can get it at a discount in bulk. Stick with one if possible because switching can be hard on the baby's digestion and remember to support the baby's digestion in other ways. Formula increases constipation and gassiness. A lot of sources recommend giving the baby probiotics in order to help the digestion cope with formula. There's a lot of articles online about how the administration of probiotics (acidopholis and other healthy bacteria) dramatically reduces the classic symptoms of "colic" -- google that too.

Good luck. Arm yourself with info and embrace your mothering. I hope for you deeply that the chemo is quick and effective and you have all the support in the world to care for yourself and your baby.

[Bad Horse]

The pp reminded me!

The bottles I have bought are Born Free. They are BPA free and also have a vent system. Kinda pricey, though.

http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/11/z-...ttles-and.html
That's a great up to date list of BPA free bottles and sippys and such.