EBM for toddler and BF'ing 5 month old

[Mummato2]

Hi Guys,

I popped this in a thread for Barb to answer, but thought I'd also gather some expert advice from you lovely ladies xx

I am currently BF'ing my 5 month old for all feeds and drinks with exception of 1 solid feed at lunch time.

Milk supply is fine - still on Motilium, I found dropping it affected my supply.

I didn't BF my 2.5 year old because of various reasons and am thinking that since I will be BF'ing until hopefully 2 years for my DD (longer if she wants to) then I might take advantage of the situation and express the 2 bottles of milk my DS takes per day and give him EBM instead....

So, my questions are:

1) Is there any real benefit to giving my 2.5 year old BM that my body is creating for a 5 month old?

2) If so, how would you suggest I express so as not to affect DD's feeds?

Part of me is guilty that I didn't give my DS the same start with BF'ing as I did my DD - but another part of me now knows the medical benefits of BF'ing and wants to at least give him a couple of years of that.......I don't think putting him to the breast is an option, he wouldn't know what to do I wouldn't think and he is so used to bottles....

Any advice would be appreciated xxx

[*EJ*]

Interesting question i'm just going to subscribe because i'd too like to know the answer.

Enjoy your breastfeeding journey with your little girl (and possibly your son )

[MantaRay]

Hun, what a great idea! I know of other mums who have done a similar thing. EBM at any stage contains a great range of nutrients, and so many biological factors we don't even know what they all are. These are beneficial at any age - there are even occasions where EBM has been given to sick teenagers and adults (eg with cancer) and there has been a big improvement. It is impossible to know how much your DS's immunity will be improved, but it will provide some extra protection and will definitely not do any harm.

Often expressing works best when you do it at a time that works best for you. But in order to disrupt your DD's feeding as little as possible, perhaps express from the second breast just after she has fed. You might not get enough EBM for a bottle in one go, but as long as you cool both batches first, you can mix it together until you have enough. You could also give a small bottle of EBM and then give him milk to finish his feed if he hasn't had enough (or just reduce the amount of milk he drinks for now). It is best not to actually mix EBM and milk (or formula) in the same bottle or cup though.

[*Infinity*]

I've been pondering this myself so thanks for posting Mummato2!

I'm currently expressing for our DD who is in NICU but we have a serious oversupply and I'm running out of freezer space. It seems like such a waste not to use all this milk so I'm seriously considering offering it to DS in his bottles! I didn't succeed at breastfeeding with him either....I figure EBM can't hurt him so why not get the good stuff into him too! I actually wonder if he'll turn his nose up at the taste after getting used to formula....might try the experiment tomorrow.

[Mummato2]

Thanks for the support and advice ladies xx

Well I fed DD this morning and then managed to express 100mls extra (which completely shocked me)

Since he only gets a 120ml bottle at lunch time, I topped it up just before his sleep - and again took me by surprise - he guzzled it!! So, I don't think taste is an issue for him

Supply seemed ok on the last 2 feeds for DD - it just took a bit longer to let down - so I'll offer her a couple more feeds for a couple of weeks until my body has cottoned onto it needing to come up with another 300mls per day.

Infinity - wow what a task you have with a NICU DD - all the best for her progressing in leaps and bounds and coming home as soon as she can xxx What a lovely predicament to be in with the abundence of BM - I wish I could store some, it's a feat just to get enough flowing for DD and this new challenge will be adding to it. All worth it in the end I guess.

I feel like a bit of the guilt of not feeding him has been lifted - granted it isn't the same as breastfeeding him - but to me it's almost as good.

Thanks ladies, I'll share Barb's advice when it's in for those of you watching for your own similar situations

[*EJ*]

So good that DS guzzled it, i hope all goes well in trying to mearsure out and provide for the two of your littles ones. Either way sounds like you are doing a fantastic job

I just recently weaned DS2 as i am pregnant and decided not to try and tandom feed. We ended up feeding for about 15 months i think and i was planning on trying to make it to the 2 year mark also. But maybe when i start bfing again i may be able to offer it a little here and there for him still also.

Good luck hope all goes well for you xo