Breastmilk Alternatives or Advice on Pumping...

Hi B.,
I pumped for 6 months with my daughter. She did not breast feed at all. I had the same problem of not getting as much breastmilk as I would have liked.
I don;t know what type of pump you are using, but what worked best for me was a manual pump. Also, I pumed more often to get more milk, even if she wasn;t ready to drink it yet, then just put enough in to give her what she needed. It was hard at first, but the manual pump seemed to lessen the pain of a mechanical pump.
I hope this helps!
S.

I agree with what the others have said so far- if everything is going well with breastfeeding, she is growing & gaining weight and you don't want to stop, then continue. My twin boys are 18 months old and I still nurse them in the morning and at night. You said she's already been introduced to the sippy cup and is drinking water & juice from it. That is great. There's no reason for her to get the breastmilk (or to be switched to formula) from it as well. Do what you feel is right for you & your family.

IF you and your daughter are happy with breastfeeding and she is already using a cup, do not stress about pumping milk for her to drink. You are the expert on what your daughter needs and how to provide it. Your milk is also the best nutrition for her. If she is gaining weight well and starting solid foods, breastfeeding should continue as you and your daughter wish. Sounds like your pedi is just not comfortable with prolonged breastfeeding.

To be honest, I think it is just silly your Ped is recommending you pump. What a waste of time! If your daughter is getting pleanty of milk "straight from the tap" why waste your time and energy with pumping? There is no reason at all to have your daughter drinking bm from a cup, and to introduce formula...just for the sake of cup learning is silly!

The AAP recommends nursing for AT LEAST 1 year, and as long is mutually beneficial thereafter. The WHO (world health orginazation) recommends AT LEAST 2 years, with as long as is mutually beneficial thereafter. Neither group says anything about pumping into a cup after a certain age. I am nursing my 31 mo old, never pumped, and he uses a sppy cup (and a regualar cup) just fine! As does my 9 month old.

I also encourage you to come out to our La Leche LEague meetings here is Lakeland. Check out llllakeland.org for meeting times and information.

I'm not sure why your pediatrician is pushing you to give milk in a sippy at 6 months. Breastmilk can be a baby's primary nutrition for up to a year. As long as she drinks water or juice, don't worry. As you get closer to a year (or whenever you decide to wean her), you can start introducing small amounts of cow's milk or soy milk in a cup. This may sound extreme, but you might want to consider finding a pediatrician who is more supportive of "extended" breastfeeding. I see a pediatric nurse practitioner in Dade City who is wonderful, and very supportive of breastfeeding. Just follow your instincts. They are usually right!