URGENT! Advice re: BM vs FF nutrient content

I have a GF whose 16 month old DS is currently in ICU post open heart surgery (performed Tuesday). After a rocky period post surgery, he is now expected to be moved to the ward this afternoon. He is still BF (as well as solids) and has been fed EBM since Thursday morning, initially through a naso gastric tube but now by mouth. He is not permitted solids just yet. She is producing plenty of BM but has just been told by one of the nurses that she needs to agree to FF as formula 'contains more nutrients than BM'!!! I have pointed out that this is not true and that only BM contains the vitally important antibodies her DS needs right now, but this nurse has her doubting whether she is doing the right thing by her child. She wishes to continue to feed her DS the EBM (and back onto the breast when possible) but obviously she also wants to do the best for her child.

I would appreciate any advice at this point. My friend is obviously exceptionally stressed and exhausted and felt that providing EBM for her sick baby was the one thing that only she could do for him. Now she is being told that he'd be better off with milk from a can!

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...s-list-135298/

I'm a nurse, tell her to tell this nurse that she has a nurse who would be happy to dispute this otherwise.
Grr it annoys me when nurses give false information!

Put the onus on the nurse to provide the information she is sourcing that informs her of this fact.

Your poor friend, that's awful in so many ways. I hope her DS recovers well.

I'm certainly no expert in the field but like you, I do know that BM is by far a better choice! I found this bit of info online just them:

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements


There is loads of amazing (and reputable!) stats online. I hope your friend can stand her ground, she's giving her DS an amazing gift.

Thank you ladies, i have given my GF some info and plenty of support. She doesn't want her DS having formula and I hope this nurse listens to her, but at the same time I don't want my GF to feel that she has failed if she doesn't have the strength to stand up to the 'professional' giving her this advice. She is exhausted. Thank you again for your replies.

your poor GF, being undermined at such a stressful time :( If she feels up to it and has a chance, maybe she could call ABA? They would be able to reassure her of the facts (that BM has far more individualised and bioavailable nutrients than formula, as well as live antibodies) but also offer her emotional support in a difficult time. Post surgery, it would be more important than ever for her to breastfeed - if she wants to, of course. Aside from nutrition, bm also provides comfort. She might find this article helpful https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-...g-your-toddler

It has more calories, I think, which is perhaps what she meant? Nutritionally speaking, breastmilk is better and it's questionable whether more calories would necessarily be a better thing (depends on circumstances).
It's rather silly to assert that milk from another species could be better than human milk, particularly for sick child. I agree with other posters that the burden of proof should be on the nurse here.

Hugs to your friend.
I echo what all the other ladies have said - EBM is much better for the baby than formula. Formula does not have more of anything that is directly beneficial to a toddler (or to anyone) than breastmilk. However, at 16 months, with the baby having solids as well as breastmilk, formula will do no harm. Breastmilk is still better, of course. Get your friend to call ABA if she has any questions. Even if she does FF in the hospital, she can always re-establish breastfeeding when her baby goes home.

I would definitely be asking the nurst to prove it... I'm very surprised such a thing was said!

Big :hug: for your friend and her little boy.

Thank you for your replies, ladies. My friend's DS was discharged this afternoon. My friend was able to stand her ground and during the time her DS was not able to eat any solids he was given EBM and then BF's. After a very rough period, her little man is now recovery well. Thank you again :)

Glad to hear he's doing better.