Jan 23 2008
First taste of cow’s milk
Finally, Isabel is given cow’s milk on last Saturday. Lately, I insisted that Ian uses cup when he drinks milk instead of bottles. With that, Ian’s night fix is not in the bedroom, but at the dining table.
When Isabel sees her brother drinks his milk, she also wants it. Lately, she has been wanting to follow the brother’s traits in practically every areas.
Just so that she doesn’t feel left out, I also make an ounce or two, so that she is happy. Surprisingly, she loves cow’s milk, and she drinks faster than the brother. LOL!
With my stock of frozen milk gone now (stopped expressing since 4 months ago), it is time to introduce and supplement with cow’s milk anyway. I still breastfeed her at night though. I aim to wean her when she reaches 2 years old. Another 4 months to go… Wonder if I can really achieve that? My production seems EXTREMELY low now. I wonder if she actually drinks much, or just suckle for comfort, coz I don’t feel much stimulation. LOL! If she just suckle for fun, then for sure the supply will be dwindled…
hi, issue on expressing and Bf again. as I notice you stop expressing when Isabel is around 16mths old rite. Do you still feed her direct when you are with her the whole day? or still 3-4 cups of milk plus feed direct? How do you decide when to stop expressing? although my baby is just 12mth plus now, I start wondering when can I stop expressing. coz once stop, no matter how sufficient the existing milk stock, it will only last for futher 3mths only.
cllau: Hi! There. Though I stopped expressing, I still fed her directly whenever we were together – nigh time and weekends. I am a super lazy mom, who hates expressing. But I also hate waking up make milk in bottles, so I fed directly. LOL!
Yes, if you stop expressing, let’s say in the afternoon, then your production during that period would be reduced. But if you still feed at night, your production at night would sustain – at least from my previous 2 experiences.
How I decide when to stop? There is actually no hard rules. In my case, I just saw that Isabel doesn’t like drinking expressed milk from the bottles (only like to drink directly from my breasts). With that, whatever that I expressed would be kept in the freezer not utilized fully. She has to be forced to drink. So, that’s when I thought enough expressing.
In your case, if whatever your express, would be drank up, then you probably would still need to express then.
Mine – took 4 months to finish the frozen stock! And she had to be forced. If we let her choose her way, probably those frozen milk stock is still around!
hi suzette, good to hear isabel is taking her cow’s milk well. at 15th month of exclusive bf; i wonder when can i stop expressing… my supply is awfully low now, but dd has shown no sign of stopping on her ebm! also she is allergic to cow’s milk, i would have to give her HA milk or soy-based formula…
pumpkin: Congratulations on succesfully bf your baby.
If you think your supply is very low, not worth your pumping effort, why not you stop pumping. Instead, just breastfeed her directly when you are around. Babies are incredibly efficient in their suckling – they can get as much as they like. And when you stop, you may supplement with soy milk. Actually soy-based formula has a kind of smell – usually put many babies off… BUT I think it smells a bit like breastmilk – no harm trying. Get a pack of sample from your doctor first so won’t go wasted.