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Created: 09/10/2009

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Milk Transition (for lack of a better term:)

Posted 09/18/2009

Long story short, my DD will be 1 year in a week.  I still BF, and want to as long as possible.  My milk supply, however, refuses to keep up no matter what I've tried.  I will continue to BF and pump as long as I can...  My DD has never had formula, but I have started adding 2 oz. goat's milk to 5 oz BM sippy cups to stretch out keeping her on BM.  I decided to go with goat's milk first, then transition to organic cow's milk.   

*Note that I'm only using the goats milk to supplement with the BM, not switch over entirely, at least not for a while...

My question is: those who have tried goat's milk as the next step for toddlers, did you like/dislike it, how did your LO seem to tolerate it, and do you think it is a nutritionally viable substitute or better option than organic cow's milk?  Why or why not?

I've discussed/researched raw vs. pasturized milk, and decided that I was more comfortable with the pasturized option as I don't know of any reputable true organic farms that would sell the raw milk. 

Share your thoughts!



Loving wife & proud mommy of Avalonne Brielle, born 9/27/08

Comments (2)

Posted 09/18/2009

DS was 9 months when my milk dried up. I supplemented with raw goat's milk from a farm that was about an hour away from us. It wasn't a certified organic farm so I toured the farm and asked a bazillion questions about medications, vaccines, hormones, etc and saw their milk storage tanks. Then I tasted the milk. I don't feel that pasturized organic milk is really much better than the regular old garbage milk. The point of raw milk is to take advantage of the enzymes and other nutrients in the milk. Pasturizing the milk kills off all of the enzymes and most of the vitamins.

That said, goat's milk is not as complete for a human baby as human milk or formula. If you do decide to go with goat's milk you will need to find other sources to make up where it's lacking. For instance, goat's milk is deficient in iron so you might consider iron-fortified cereal or adding a little bit of molasses to the milk. Making up for what the milk is lacking shouldn't be too difficult if your LO is started on some solids.

I know it's a tough choice and it doesn't help when you really want to BF but can't. I'm sorry you're having to go through that, my heart goes out to you. Fortunately for us DS still nursed for comfort which helped ease the guilt and sadness when my milk dried up. Good luck.


Katie, WONDER WOMAN and single mom of Tianna (15) Damian (9) Hamilton (4) Daisy (2) & Annika Joy 9/7/11 Adventures of Bag Lady

Posted 09/18/2009

So how many oz a day of breast milk is she currently getting?  Even at your LO's age, just shy of 12 mos, the 1-1.25 oz of bm per hour still applies. 

Once they are over a year old, as long as they are getting 3 nursings per 24 hrs there is no need for supplemental milk.  And once they are 2 yrs old they don't need any milk whatsoever.


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