[hannahmom]

Not sure if this is in the right spot - I don't know where it belongs.
A friend of mine had her baby about 4 weeks ago... due to previous breast surgery she is physiologically unable to breastfeed - so no flames please.

What other alternatives are there to formula?
She cannot afford to buy pumped milk from another mama.
So far I've heard of raw, unpastuerized cow's milk and goat's milk. Is there anything else out there?

 

[corysmilk]

just plain old donated milk? I think I have a link
nope no link I was on a web site for moms who had extra milk and wanted to donate it... crap sorry, but really Formula wouls be better than goats milk, I think? babys need proper fat to help develop their brains, so I would give ff, before any plain milk or goats milk just my opionon,

 

[dawndup]

I have to admit I would most likely use formula too. She's the kind of mama that formula should really be intended for. If she can get ahold of *some* donor milk, even if she can only give a few ounces a day to the baby, that would be better than no breastmilk.

I have heard of moms that make their own formula using goat milk, flaxseed oil, and other fortifiers... I don't know of a recipe though. maybe a web search would turn up something, or she could ask a ped. she trusts?

There is organic baby formula I've seen at health food stores. I would try that first if I could afford it.

 

[JaneS]

Here is some interesting information about fortifying formula and also making your own.
http://www.mercola.com/2000/oct/22/infant_formula.htm

 

[mum2 4]

You can contact Nona Davis ([email protected]) she runs a mom to Mom Milk Exchange. The only cost is for shipping. Also if this Mom has insurance, she should qualify for milk from a Milk Bank at low or no cost to her. Even few months of partial supply would be most helpful.
For centuries other countries have relied on goats milk formulas to sustain babies who need something other than their mother's milk. Making one's own formula avoids some of the cheap ingredients used in commercial formulas. Goats milk modified with oil,molasses or Karyo syrup,water and vitamins can sustain a healthy baby. Even four ounces of human milk daily will provide the needed antibodies and this mother should be able to locate that within her circle of friends, church or baby's doctor. ..

 

[foreverinbluejeans]

Milk banks only charge if the parents can afford to pay. In the US that would be considered the best option. Formula is considered the only safe way to feed a baby other than breastmilk.

Goat's milk is not considered a safe alternative. Each species milk is perfect for the developmental tasks of that species. Human babies are born before they should be compared to other mammals so the baby's head can be born. Human milk is perfect for human brain development. Goats are not known for their cognitive abilities!

The mother may be able to lactate some either by nursing or pumping. Any milk she could give her baby would be beneficial.

 

[mum2 4]

Its not the goats cognitive ability but rather the relative size of their kid to a human infant that makes goat's milk a viable option when human milk is not available. I've read that pig's milk would really be the #1 alternative choice but its rather hard to get a pig to cooperate and share her milk.
The goat milk does need modifying to make it more compatable with a human infants nutirtional requirements. Three of our family members have found this a nutritional answer after weaning and developing allergies to other dairy products. All are honor roll students...