Guest guest Posted August 21, 2003 Report Share Posted August 21, 2003 Katy, I don't know if my experience will help your friend, but here's what I did. First of all, I breastfed my daughter until she was 21 months. I didn't have an RSS diagnosis at the time, but I was so concerned about her size and weight and often thought I should wean, even early on. Fortunately, I went to a pediatrician who unequivocably encouraged me to nurse her as long as I could, even when I was so frustrated and worried that it was my milk that wasn't making her grow. When I introduced solids, I always fed her first, trying to get food in. Then at a year, I would give her a sip-cup of milk after she ate. Then we would nurse to sleep. As she gradually began eating and drinking milk more, I breastfed only at bedtimes and waking--AM, Nap-1 or 2, Evening, Midnight waking. 5 or so times a day. After the first year, the composition of breastmilk changes and it becomes less fatty. It is still full of fantastic nutrients, antibodies and such to boost the immune system, but since it was thinner, I really started trying to get fattier foods into her--avocado, whole milk yogurt, etc.--first, before nursing. This is pretty much the same routine I use with my non-RSS one year old son now. Breastfeeding really helped in times of sickness, stress, travel, etc. I never knew how much she took in in terms of ounces, but when she wasn't eating or drinking milk, at least she was nursing either for comfort or routine and I knew she was getting good nutrition. It is a wonderful gift if a momma and child can successfully breastfeed for however long it happens. It wasn't easy getting started with belle due to her initial stay in the NICU, tubes, poor sucking, bottles and nipple confusion, it took a lot of sweat and tears, but we persisted, and we were both happy. Sorry if this is a bit long, good luck to your friend. Pamela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2003 Report Share Posted August 22, 2003 I didn't have time to write a lengthy response but I'm so glad someone else did. Jon was also nursed through 18 months...and I totally agree with Pamela's explanation! Pattie > Katy, > I don't know if my experience will help your friend, but here's what > I did. > First of all, I breastfed my daughter until she was 21 months. > I didn't have an RSS diagnosis at the time, but I was so > concerned about her size and weight and often thought I should > wean, even early on. Fortunately, I went to a pediatrician who > unequivocably encouraged me to nurse her as long as I could, > even when I was so frustrated and worried that it was my milk > that wasn't making her grow. > When I introduced solids, I always fed her first, trying to get food > in. Then at a year, I would give her a sip-cup of milk after she ate. > Then we would nurse to sleep. As she gradually began eating > and drinking milk more, I breastfed only at bedtimes and > waking--AM, Nap-1 or 2, Evening, Midnight waking. 5 or so times > a day. After the first year, the composition of breastmilk changes > and it becomes less fatty. It is still full of fantastic nutrients, > antibodies and such to boost the immune system, but since it > was thinner, I really started trying to get fattier foods into > her--avocado, whole milk yogurt, etc.--first, before nursing. > This is pretty much the same routine I use with my non-RSS one > year old son now. > Breastfeeding really helped in times of sickness, stress, travel, > etc. I never knew how much she took in in terms of ounces, but > when she wasn't eating or drinking milk, at least she was > nursing either for comfort or routine and I knew she was getting > good nutrition. > It is a wonderful gift if a momma and child can successfully > breastfeed for however long it happens. It wasn't easy getting > started with belle due to her initial stay in the NICU, tubes, > poor sucking, bottles and nipple confusion, it took a lot of sweat > and tears, but we persisted, and we were both happy. > Sorry if this is a bit long, good luck to your friend. > Pamela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2004 Report Share Posted January 30, 2004 You have to continue prenatals while breastfeeding (well I suppose you don't HAVE to but its the best policy!) *~Joy~* Lap RNY @ 491lbs 2/26/01 Mommy to: (5) , Saralyn (4), Hunter (7/3/03) and #4 due sometime in September '04! We have 3 kids, soon we'll have FOUR! After this one, Quoth Raven... NEVERMORE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2004 Report Share Posted January 30, 2004 Yes, you can definitely breastfeed successfully. My son, who was born 20 months after my RnY was breastfed for 2 years. Now, I am breastfeeding my daughter who is 2 months old. She has grown from 7 lb 6 oz to 11 lb 7 oz on nothing but mommy's milk. One thing I recommend is to get your blood levels checked regularly. I found that my Zinc dropped below normal when I was breastfeeding my son. I found out Zinc is a necessary component of prolactin, the milk-making hormone. Once I started taking chelated zinc once a day, my levels came back to normal. It is also important to drink a lot of water, probably even more than when you are pregnant. Hope this helps. Lynn Mommy of 4 Open RnY 9-20-99 > Hi all...I was just wondering about the breastfeeding issue. Will we have enough nutrients for both ourselves and the baby? I am 14 months out, and I would really like to try to breastfeed, but if I don't get enough nutrients.....any answers....Have a great day....Kristi C > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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