Guest guest Posted December 30, 2000 Report Share Posted December 30, 2000 Hello to all, My husband and I have been lacto-ovo vegetarians for about 5 1/2 years, and have a 6 1/2 month old infant. Now that he's started oatmeal and fruits and veggies(and liking them very much, I might add), I want to know what other foods to give him. Most parents would start meat at this point. What other protein source could I begin to feed my son? I am still nursing him, even though occasionally I need to give a mixed breastmilk-formula bottle, as my milk supply is sometimes not adequate. Any suggestions? Pam Boston, MA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2001 Report Share Posted January 2, 2001 In a message dated 1/2/2001 5:08:18 AM Pacific Standard Time, pamelasherry writes: ? I am still nursing him, even though occasionally I need to give a mixed breastmilk-formula bottle, as my milk supply is sometimes not adequate. How do you know if your milk supply is not adequate? A nursing mother will produce more milk the more she nurses and never "run out" of milk. Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2001 Report Share Posted January 2, 2001 , James Sherry <pamelasherry@e...> wrote: > Hello to all, > My husband and I have been lacto-ovo vegetarians for about 5 1/2 years, > and have a 6 1/2 month old infant. Now that he's started oatmeal and > fruits and veggies(and liking them very much, I might add), I want to > know what other foods to give him. Most parents would start meat at > this point. What other protein source could I begin to feed my son? Since you are still breastfeeding, he's getting a good source of protein right there. I wouldn't start soy until a year, unless you are already giving soy formula and he's doing OK with it. Certainly hold off nuts and peanuts until at least 2 years - if there are allergies in your family, some say 5. It is also recommended to wait with straight cow's milk until a year, although I think you can start yoghurt and cheese earlier - you might want to see how he does with those. But generally speaking, at this age solid foods are for fun and experimentation, not nutrition. He's unlikely to ingest enough to make a difference. Keep giving him the good stuff, Mom! Fruit, veggies and grains (which also contain protein, BTW) should keep his little fingers and tastebuds busy 8-). I am not a doctor, BTW, just an experienced vegetarian mother 8-). Be well, Hadass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2001 Report Share Posted January 2, 2001 That is not true - I tried and tried (used a lactation consultant and talked with our pediatrician) but did not produce enough breastmilk- remember what the books say and what is actual reality is often different! As for introducing some other foods - my son loves black bean soup and puree it or I often made a sweet potato pureed with beans and other veggies - froze it in ice cube trays and stored in baggies. This way you can take as many cubes as you need! -- Caro >colinsapmama > > >Re: Where to go from here. >Tue, 2 Jan 2001 12:04:13 EST > >In a message dated 1/2/2001 5:08:18 AM Pacific Standard Time, >pamelasherry writes: > > > > ? I > > am still nursing him, even though occasionally I need to give a mixed > > breastmilk-formula bottle, as my milk supply is sometimes not adequate. > > > >How do you know if your milk supply is not adequate? A nursing mother will >produce more milk the more she nurses and never " run out " of milk. > >Sara _______________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2001 Report Share Posted January 2, 2001 I guess I should clarify... In response to Sara... I work three days per week out of the house, and during that time, even though I pump faithfully twice per day, I only bring home a total of 8 to 10 oz of milk (I usually pump when he is being fed at home). When he is fed breast milk out of the bottle at home by the caregiver, he clearly seems to want more than 4 to 5oz of milk. So we've been supplementing with 1 or 2 oz of milk to satisfy him. This only happens, at maximum, six feedings per week. And this has been happening for about a month. I believe it is the stressors of my job, unfortunately, and am working very hard to increase my supply (increasing fluids, and I am exploring the option of fenugreek if this does not help). Otherwise, when I nurse him directly, I do not supplement him with anything extra, and he seems quite satiated. Of course, it may also just be because it is me, and I am providing him the comfort the bottle cannot, so he doesn't seem happy after receiving the bottle, therefore the caregiver seeks to comfort him with an ounce or two more... which works. It could be just that his demand has decreased because of his solid food intake, and the caregiver (and myself, of course) is not used to seeing him take substantially less than he used to. Thinking about it, I never used to have this " deficiency " of milk until he started solids, but that is also when my job became very stressful. Any other thoughts? I appreciate all the comments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2001 Report Share Posted January 3, 2001 In a message dated 1/3/2001 5:11:09 AM Pacific Standard Time, Carokitty writes: That is not true - I tried and tried (used a lactation consultant and talked with our pediatrician) but did not produce enough breastmilk- remember what the books say and what is actual reality is often different! How did you know if you produced enough milk or not? Pumping is not a good indication of how much milk you are producing, I know some people who can't get anything out with pumping, yet, they have extrememly healthy babies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2001 Report Share Posted January 4, 2001 Just curious...how did you know you weren't producing enough? Linda At 09:22 PM 1/2/01, you wrote: >That is not true - I tried and tried (used a lactation consultant and talked >with our pediatrician) but did not produce enough breastmilk- remember what >the books say and what is actual reality is often different! As for >introducing some other foods - my son loves black bean soup and puree it or >I often made a sweet potato pureed with beans and other veggies - froze it >in ice cube trays and stored in baggies. This way you can take as many >cubes as you need! -- Caro > > >>colinsapmama >> >> >>Re: Where to go from here. >>Tue, 2 Jan 2001 12:04:13 EST >> >>In a message dated 1/2/2001 5:08:18 AM Pacific Standard Time, >>pamelasherry writes: >> >> >> > ? I >> > am still nursing him, even though occasionally I need to give a mixed >> > breastmilk-formula bottle, as my milk supply is sometimes not adequate. >> > >> >>How do you know if your milk supply is not adequate? A nursing mother will >>produce more milk the more she nurses and never " run out " of milk. >> >>Sara > >_______________ >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > > > >For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2001 Report Share Posted January 4, 2001 How true. I stopped pumping when my baby was about 9 months. I could not get more than an ounce or two after 20-30 minutes of pumping. My baby (er toddler) is now 18 months old and still nursing. She is one of those slow nurses, can nurse for 30 minutes or more and I have never run out of milk. I have a Medalia (sp?) pump'n go or something like that so even with all that suction, no milk would pump. I hear the ones to rent work better. If you can afford it, maybe you want to try that. I hear it is expensive to rent them. ----Original Message Follows---- colinsapmama Re: Where to go from here. Wed, 3 Jan 2001 08:57:45 EST In a message dated 1/3/2001 5:11:09 AM Pacific Standard Time, Carokitty writes: That is not true - I tried and tried (used a lactation consultant and talked with our pediatrician) but did not produce enough breastmilk- remember what the books say and what is actual reality is often different! How did you know if you produced enough milk or not? Pumping is not a good indication of how much milk you are producing, I know some people who can't get anything out with pumping, yet, they have extrememly healthy babies. _______________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2001 Report Share Posted January 4, 2001 , colinsapmama@a... wrote: > In a message dated 1/3/2001 5:11:09 AM Pacific Standard Time, > Carokitty@h... writes: > > > > That is not true - I tried and tried (used a lactation consultant and talked > > with our pediatrician) but did not produce enough breastmilk- remember what > > the books say and what is actual reality is often different! > > > How did you know if you produced enough milk or not? Pumping is not a good > indication of how much milk you are producing, I know some people who can't > get anything out with pumping, yet, they have extrememly healthy babies. Whoa, Sara. This is a very sensitive issue - many women who think they can't produce enough milk (for whatever reason - many LCs aren't as good as they might be, and paediatricians are generally clueless about breastfeeding) are EXTREMELY miserable and guilty about it. This kind of question, with no qualification or acknowledgement of her feelings, can cause a great deal of hurt. That having been said, I do agree that many so-called support people (doctors, LCs, family) can sabotage a woman's breastfeeding experience and make her feel like a failure. I am sorry this happened to you, and I am glad that you have a healthy baby anyway. I strongly recommend (and would suggest the moderators pay attention to this) that this group not get involved in a breastfeeding flamefest. Be well, Hadass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2001 Report Share Posted January 4, 2001 , James Sherry <pamelasherry@e...> wrote: > I guess I should clarify... In response to Sara... Thanks for the clarification, Pamela! <snip> > > It could be just that his demand has decreased because of his solid food > intake, and the caregiver (and myself, of course) is not used to seeing > him take substantially less than he used to. Thinking about it, I never > used to have this " deficiency " of milk until he started solids, but that > is also when my job became very stressful. I would say that formula is not evil (although it is obviously inferior to breastmilk), that you do what you gotta do, and that you are clearly doing your best for your son. Fenugreek worked for me; what was also helpful was to drink LOTS of water (thirst is not a good indication of dehydration - put a 1.5L bottle of water on your desk and make sure you empty it each day before you go home!). There is a pumping list somewhere here on eGroups - write to me privately if you are interested and I will see if I can scrounge up the information for you. There is also a list for mothers who are combining attachment parenting with work - I can give you info on that, as well. Good luck and keep up the good work! I found that pumping at work for my sons was a great way to stay connected to them even though we were separated. Be well, Hadass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2001 Report Share Posted January 5, 2001 To the group--- I thank you for all your input, and the answers to my question regarding meal choices for my 6 1/2 month old. I think the two hardest things for me in being a parent (so far) are the issues of sleeping and meal planning (although I'm sure the issues become VERY MUCH more complex as time goes on!) Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2001 Report Share Posted January 5, 2001 I too did not have much success pumping after my son was about 9-10 months old. (I was working out of the house 2-3 days per week) He is now 18 months old and still nursing-he is also a marathon nurser (on the days I'm home). He is successfully increasing vegitarian solids all the time. I would just like to offer a word of support for continued nursing-- and staying committed can sometimes means some supplementation. I think along with our concern and advice we can offer each other support in our parenting trials. It is not easy to be as committed as many (all) of us are in choosing this way of life! Hoorah for all of us!! > " Deb Proen " <deb_proen > > >Re: Where to go from here. >Thu, 04 Jan 2001 06:10:43 -0500 > >How true. I stopped pumping when my baby was about 9 months. I could not >get more than an ounce or two after 20-30 minutes of pumping. My baby (er >toddler) is now 18 months old and still nursing. She is one of those slow >nurses, can nurse for 30 minutes or more and I have never run out of milk. >I have a Medalia (sp?) pump'n go or something like that so even with all >that suction, no milk would pump. I hear the ones to rent work better. If >you can afford it, maybe you want to try that. I hear it is expensive to >rent them. > > >----Original Message Follows---- >colinsapmama > > >Re: Where to go from here. >Wed, 3 Jan 2001 08:57:45 EST > >In a message dated 1/3/2001 5:11:09 AM Pacific Standard Time, >Carokitty writes: > > >That is not true - I tried and tried (used a lactation consultant and >talked >with our pediatrician) but did not produce enough breastmilk- remember what >the books say and what is actual reality is often different! > > >How did you know if you produced enough milk or not? Pumping is not a good >indication of how much milk you are producing, I know some people who can't >get anything out with pumping, yet, they have extrememly healthy babies. > >_______________ >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > > _______________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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