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breastfeeding vegan babies
i didnt know if it's common knowledge or not but did you know that there is no such thing as vegan formula? at least not in america....just one of the many,many,MANY reasons to breastfeed our babies ;)
i was lied to and told soy formula is vegan by a dr..go figure but luckily i did all my research before birth and knew i was gonna breastfeed no matter what.
sorry that was a rant. i just so involved when it comes ot breastfeeding. its the most important thing for a huamn life and it irks me that ppl think they can formula feed and its a choice!! yeah FF if you absoluetly have to (which is 2% of the worlds population) but otehrwise do whats right!!!!
how are the rest of our BFing mamas? how long did you dc nurse for? dd is 12 1/2 months and we plan on letting her self wean like they do everywhere else in the world. darn america for making it seem wrong!
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
Hi veganmata, I'm a BFing vegan mum too (mines 16mths)- and darn the UK too for making it seem wrong!! :) Also I plan to let him self wean - I think thought the farleys soy formula here was vegan but i could be wrong - i've never used it so i wouldnt know!
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
HI THERE!!!!! :D
so the UK is like America then where basically the DR.s and hospitals are in bed with the formula companies and try to make you think formula is good for babies.. ughh that drives me mad!! we actually had 1 major city band formula in hospitals here AND they are working on a bill right now to put a health warning on formula telling moms that not breastfeeding their babies is harmful to thier health :D
its slowly turning back out way :)
you have a 16 months old!! awwwwwwwww!! how sweet!!! does your babe ask to nurse? i hwar of babies doing signs etc to nurse but my DD just makes a face and does a fake cry. such a goof!!!
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
My boobs did 2 1/2 years of service. They are merely ornamental now.
I was the one to say enough! Spent a year weaning her off fall-asleep feed, I-have-an-owie feed, I'm-bored-riding-bus feed.... then snuck off for the weekend with neglected partner while she was being spoiled rotten by Grandma. No fuss when I returned.
However, I must agree with the consensus: UK and U.S. suck for BF.
They pretend to support you and have framed mission statements.
When it comes to the crunch (and I was flattened) their answer to weight gain issues -formula-. Answer to my presciption med use -formula-. Answer to breast infection(what's that retchedly painful yeastie beastie?) -formula-.
I got a morning with a La Lech League volunteer which I was grateful for but otherwise It was uphill and unsupported all the way. Of course it was worth it and the-proof-of-the-pudding is the healthiest little mouse I could wish for but DAMN what about the rest of the babies out there?
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as far as I'm aware Farleys is the only vegan soy formula available on wither side of the atlantic
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My son does ask to nurse but not with words yet - he points at them and goes 'uh uh' - i remember when he was much yonger really looking forward to him being able to ask when he wanted them rather than me havin to guess! He absolutely LOVES them though - always has really - a real boob monster - if he catches sight of them when i'm getting changed or something - thats it, he must have them!! Its all very amusing in our house!
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
:( What about mothers who can't produce enough milk or who adopt? They need to use formula....Some people need to use it.
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
Quote:
Tigerlily
:( What about mothers who can't produce enough milk or who adopt? They need to use formula....Some people need to use it.
I've heard that it's very rare that your body doesn't produce enough milk.
I think most problems are caused when mothers supplement their breastfeeding. That causes less demand and therefore less supply.
Mothers also tend to keep nursing schedules, which doesn't help establish a natural supply.
Even when you adopt it is possible to breastfeed. I know a couple who adopted twins and they did it.
The mother of one of the women happens to be a lactation consultant, so that must have helped. :)
I nursed my kids for 3 years 8 months and 4 years 2 months.
It's been about a year now since the last one was done.
It's nice to have complete ownership of my breasts again.
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
yes, I agree that 'not enough' is more an experience issue. The meds in milk problem I wish would get more attention from the med community (contradictory advice). Adoption or return to work opens some questions...
Does a child always have to feed from its own mother? The hire of wet nurses was summarily banned in China by the communist regime as elitist and exploitive. Is it?
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
ive bee naway for a couple weeks but yes LESS THAT 2% OF THE OWRLDS POPULATION ACTUALLY CAN'T BREASTFEED. thats a very tiny amount and for that very tiny amount i agree they sadly have to use formula.
adopted babies can be breastfed. it takes a commitment to get your body to do it but it can be done. i plan on doing this,actually, in the future. i can post links about it if you like ;)
but yeah i just saw wanda's post...what she said!!
hello everyone btw!! ill be back later to chat with you all!! <3
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
I couldn't agree more. I'm TTC and plan to BF. I think it benefits the mom as well as the baby. It's the natural way. I wish I was able to stay home with the baby long-term, but I must work. But with all the pumps on the market it shouldn't be a problem.
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There are also breastmilk banks where women who are lactating can go and make deposits. Then anyone who is unable to breastfeed (as in the case of those who don't produce enough or adopt) can go and get breastmilk for their babies.
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hello there! my first post on this forum...my son is 21 months and he breastfeeds 3-5 times a day. he says "tutte" (means "tit"or "boob" in swedish) when he wants some, and he is generally quite intrigued by my breasts, it's very sweet! i want to breastfeed him until he chooses to stop himself. i would be nice, if we have another baby in the nearish future, to have the two of them breastfeeding toghether!
i'm from sweden and here most mums breastfeed at least for 6 months, it is however rare to do it as long as we are.
lots of love and good luck to all you vegan mums who are just starting breastfeeding, it can take a lot of commitment (it did for me, it was hell the first three months, mastitis, bleeding nipples etc but it is so worth it! i'm happy i persevered.) and it can be a real struggle so don't hesitate to seek advice.
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Question for any mums who have breastfed recently. Could you suggest a good nipple cream that doesn't contain either lanolin or beeswax? Thanks :)
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Well one of the best and natural ways to protect your nipples is olive oil. If you put it on after every feeding it does very well and it's natural for you and baby. I use it all the time and it's a lot cheaper as well.
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
What is also good for your nipples is just using some of your own breastmilk on your nipples and let it dry in the air. Your breastmilk is good for lots of things, it's very fatty. If your child has a small rash or whatever your own milk can do wonders on there.
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I was going to say the same thing about using your own breast milk. Apparently it is also good for conjunctivitis too :)
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I use Earth Mama Angel Baby: Natural Nipple Butter. Every feed for the first six weeks and then tapered down to just occasionally now at 10 1/2 months. No need to wash it off before feeding, which is good. The Booby Tubes in the EMAB: Breastfeeding Support Kit were useful as well.
The EMAB: Angel Baby Lotion smells of chocolate orange! and Angel Baby Bottom Balm works wonders. Alternatively, Natalia Baby Bottom Butter is vegan but a different less oily consistency.
PM me if you need info on any other vegan baby goodies :)
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Yet another reason why I'm glad I'm not giving my baby cow formula
http://www.theage.com.au/world/study...415-1di05.html
Quote:
Veryblue2
I use Earth Mama Angel Baby: Natural Nipple Butter. Every feed for the first six weeks and then tapered down to just occasionally now at 10 1/2 months. No need to wash it off before feeding, which is good. The Booby Tubes in the EMAB: Breastfeeding Support Kit were useful as well.
The EMAB: Angel Baby Lotion smells of chocolate orange! and Angel Baby Bottom Balm works wonders. Alternatively, Natalia Baby Bottom Butter is vegan but a different less oily consistency.
PM me if you need info on any other vegan baby goodies :)
Only just saw this. I will try these as I get v sore still (3 weeks in) but pushing on. It's getting better though.
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Do you think it might be a positioning problem? You mentioned blood before. La Leche and the NCT have very helpful bf counsellors. Ehhhhh, well done you for persevering, those early days aren't easy
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[QUOTE=Ms_Derious;680405]Yet another reason why I'm glad I'm not giving my baby cow formula
http://www.theage.com.au/world/study...415-1di05.html
I really hope they will do more studies on this, I would love to see this with a much bigger sample so proper conclusions can be drawn for everyone.
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
Quote:
Gattona
Do you think it might be a positioning problem? You mentioned blood before. La Leche and the NCT have very helpful bf counsellors. Ehhhhh, well done you for persevering, those early days aren't easy
Sadly it's mix of having inverted nipples and Alicia having a partial posterior tongue tie. The tounge tie isn't enough to operate on, but does make her latch poor. It will get better when her mouth is a bit bigger though. I'm very committed to breastfeeding, so I'm going to push on at it, but I have to say I'm finding it considerably harder than giving birth was.
I have to say though, I would have had to have given up by now if it wasn't for my local breastfeeding clinic. They are amazing :)
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Wow, your local breastfeeding clinic? Wow again, like, mainstream NHS? I'm seriously impressed, things have possibly moved on here since my early days with bubbas but at my first ever booking appt the trainee midwife taking my details said 'and how will you feed the baby, bottle?' Talk about a negative attitude! The bf rates are abysmal and some midwives of course are better than others but the training isn't very good afaik. Mind you, my daughter plans on midwifery as her future so when she gets started in her training I'll know all about the contempoary position.
You two do sound like you've more challenges than most. Well done both of you
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Yes, we are really lucky. The clinic runs for three hours twice a week, right out of the hospital where I gave birth. Its not very well promoted, but its very well attended, and several of the ladies from my NCT group commented that they would have given up BFing if it wasn't for the clinic's help.
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My daughter was born in 1997 and we had an NHS breastfeeding clinic and advisors then!
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I'm really pleased to hear that, round here there was one midwife, and the best of my knowledge it was just the one, who was appointed as a bf specialist probably around 12 years ago. Like I said, things may have improved, I'm not in contact with the 'getting pregnant and having babies' world any more .....
Google, was my friend, I just had a look and discovered that sure start say they offer bf support round here, nothing on the hospital website. I really do hope its improved. I did a stint as an NCT volunteer during National Breastfeeding Week once, sitting at a stall in the Ante Natal waiting room. No one came up to the stall, so I wandered around talking to people about what they intended to do about feeding their babies. Only one woman said she even intended to try bf ing, everyone else said they would use formula right from the start. I dodn't suppose I made any difference, probably put more people off the idea now I think back on it :\
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Gattona, at least you might have made some people consider it as possible when they hadn't even considered it at all before. Just because they had a fixed idea of what they were going to do when they talked with you at the time, some of them may have then changed their minds later once they'd had time to think about it.
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Well done for sticking with it Ms. D :cool:
Do you have a pump? I have found mine an excellent back up and they can be used to 'rest' a particularly sore side whilst maintaining supply. The few times I have had prolonged soreness the nipple butter and booby tube combo helped ease things. They are just like those minute in the microwave grain filled warmer things, just shaped to fit inside your bra.
On that note, are you using breastpads when not feeding? Which type? I found without anything was too sensitive and the disposable much better for sensitivity/soreness than the reusable.
Fortunately for me around the six week mark things eased up when my supply became more regulated and I deflated a little :D I hope you find the same!
It's great that you were able to find your support clinic. I had some help in my first week from the hospital based lactation consultant (even though I had a home birth) and she said that things were improving all the time. There is a local support group, but I never made it as I was too busy in the feeding and sleeping cycle!
There is a big policy-based NHS push towards breastfeeding (posters, leaflets) with the aim of reducing obesity etc. but one to one with staff I found it is very variable. Those who were more negative/pro-formula said it was because that's what they did/do... and their mums did... it's the norm... etc.
In a way, it's the same sort of thinking/logic that stops people looking seriously at being/becoming vegan :(
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I do have a pump, well two actually. I bought an Avent Isis manual one at first as I didn't intend on pumping very often. This was excruciatingly painful to use, and I think contributed to the damage on my nipple. I then followed the advice of a lady at the breastfeeding clinic and bought a Medela electric pump, and that's wonderful! I try to nurse though the discomfort as I don't want to use a bottle and I find cup feeding impossible without my Husband helping me support Alicia's head.
I've been using reusable pads. I don't get much in the way of let-down, but they seem to stop my bra rubbing, which is a help. I swear, some nights the bedsheets rubbing are painful!
I'm back to the clinic tomorrow as Alicia has suddenly decided that she doesn't want to latch on with help, and insists on trying to change her position, which normally ends up with her sat on the tip of my nipple really stinging me. I took her to an Oesteopath today so they could make sure there wasn't a reason she didn't open her mouth very far, and they couldn't find anything so I think it's just a case of keep trying. The problem is she gets so frustrated she just ends up screaming if I don't pop her on quickly, and a screaming baby can't latch well either.
In more positive news, all but one of the ladies in my NCT class are breastfeeding (6 couples) so in some circles its quite common. I can see why people give up though, if you have problems it can be very painful. However, I do think it's best and the best is what I want for my daughter, even if it's not great for me right now.
I'm hoping that I'll find that eventually I get into the swing of things. It will be four weeks tomorrow, and to be honest, on day 3 I wasn't convinced I'd make it to day 4!
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thankfully i have a local breastfeeding support group local too my LO was a bit early and would not latch, and when he did latch it was terrible and ripped my poor nipples to shreads, though we perservered and it got better, we are now at 6 months exclusive breastfeeding and plan to let self wean.
itis bad that there isn't a vegan formula, i think its only the vitamin d that makes the soya formulas not vegan, and they could easily change that, as although breastfeeding is best, there are a few people that might NEED to use formula,its bad that thereisn't that option.
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Ha! Yes Ms. D, cup feeding is really tricky! We introduced a breastflow bottle for one feed of expressed milk an evening at a few weeks old (for a variety of reasons!). Fortunately we had no nipple confusion (the double teat means he has to 'work for the milk' with the same sort of mouth action as on the breast) and I leave the room and let dad do the feed as recommended. We use the two different positions and baby signs as well! :D
I hope you and Alicia have managed to sort out the latch again. The only thing I can think of which you may not yet have tried is to either express or pump briefly first to just get your initial let down before you latch her on. If she knows the milk is instantly there she might not be quite so over eager? I would say to do it in a different room though as me sitting down with my feeding pillow is enough to set my little man off crying and he is like a speedy vampire then too!
You have probably tried something similar already, but otherwise try a few practice latches in the day (when she is relaxed and happy) say 15-30 mins post feed (if she will go on of course!). When she gets it right praise with a repeated/melodic 'that's a nice latch' or something similar. Let her have a brief suckle and then break the suction, if she is interested in going back on let her, but otherwise big hugs and a happy song. She may add in these as extra short feeds initially, but once you get everything sorted the number of feeds does taper down! We have gone from every hour at first to five or six times a day now and they are a lot shorter. :bigsmile:
Franksmammy, I agree it would be good to have the back up option available. Heinz discontinued their vegan Nurture formula a month or so before I was due so had to decide whether to stock up 12 months worth 'just in case' or not. In the end I decided not to as my preferred approach was to breastfeed, if not I planned to pump/express, if I couldn't I would have tried the milk bank first. Sadly the current thinking is that the sheep's wool derived D3 is superior so that's what the formula companies are using. :(
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Re: breastfeeding vegan babies
Hello everyone! Congratulations to all breastfeeding mothers. I was surprised how many of you had some problems breastfeeding.
I've been breast feeding for 9,5 months now. I do have a soya formula milk just in case even I know it's not vegan because of vitamin D3 however when I went back to work when she was 6 months old and I could not pump enough I decided to buy the formula. Fortunately we do not use too much because she already eats solids and I come home every lunch to feed her as well (she still didn't finish the first one which I bought).
I did have some problem though but they were not very serious:
- after few days of her live and suckling my nipples became painfull however they got used too very soon and I was OK
- few times she was suckling too much and then my breasts were very full what was painful (I did not have a pump that time)
- between age 1-3 months she needed the milk when she wanted it, if I ignored her for more the 1-3 minutes she became furious and couldn't latch, we then had to calm her down to make her eat
- when she wanted to pee or poo she wouldn't eat even very hungry, with pee it was easy, I just took her too the toilet and she was done, with the poo we had to wait sometimes until it came and then she would eat. I'm doing EC since she was 2 weeks old (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication) so I usually know when she needs the toilet. This saved me also paintful nipples as babys squize them when they need the toilet.
- when she was about 3-4 months old she was veryfussy with the position, one day she would eat only when we lied down on the bed, the other day only while in the baby carrier, other time only if I kept her on the pillow on my knees.
I think these are all the problems I had while breast feeding but since she was about 4 months I do not have further problems. I love breast feeding and it's very difficult for me to understand mothers who choose not to for various reasons:
- they have to get up at night to make formula
- they do not get the same relationship with their babies
- they always have to carry formula with them and find a place to prepare it, I guess it's quite a challenge while travelling
- it's expensive
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Wow, elimination communication from 2 weeks old?? That's very impressive! Thanks for sharing your experiences, upior :)
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Twinkle, I started when she was 2 weeks old, it doesn't mean I was always successful :) in the beginning I was happy when I guessed correctly even once. Now when she is 9,5 months old I can still miss sometimes mostly when I'm occupied with something but I love EC it saves my daughter a lot of stress and me a lot of washing or money (I use both washable and dispossable nappies as a back up).
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I read something recently that in Canada, only 20% of all women are breastfeeding at the 6 month mark. I'd imagine it'd be even lower at a year or two. I thought that was pretty sad. And if only 20% of women breastfed 5000 years ago, our species would've disappeared fast.
My friend who brought this up (on Facebook of all places) got kinda ripped to shreds too. Lots of people saying, "I tried breast feeding for a week and it didn't work", "my kid likes formula better", etc. I think formula is just so convenient (although not really, like upior said) that when things get even the slightest bit difficult folks turn to that, instead of getting help from a lactation consultant.
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Yesterday I had a chat with one of my colleagues who had a baby 40 years ago and when she tried to breast feed medical staff told her that she doesn't have enough milk. Do you know how they checked it, they took both her and her son to a cubicle, told her to feed, I don't know exactly for how long. They checked baby's weight before and after and their assumption was that she doesn't have enough milk.
She told me that it took her few weeks before her milk dried. Nobody even tried to help her advising for example a different position or improving her diet in case her milk didn't have enough calories. I know from my own experience how quickly my baby reacts if I don't eat well.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but 40 years ago, formula was perceived as superior to breast milk(?). I think the tide is turning now but there's still a lot of pressure from giant companies, and they do have a strong presence in hospitals.
In the first several days of a child's life, their stomach is itty-bitty and there's a little bit of an adjustment period, so they don't drink much anyway. That's too bad about your colleague!
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I felt that she still feels sorry even it happened so many years ago. I gave her few reasons why her son could drink a little longer sometimes and she said that for sure it was one of this reason not a lack of milk.
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That's really sad. I remember staff hounding me on the day my son was born, because he had a great big first feed and then slept for many hours. I instinctively felt that this was what he needed, but they woke him up in the end, and then they wondered why he was too upset to feed again. They took him away and gave him a dummy which I didn't want him to have. I'm sure they would have liked him to have a bottle, too!. Grr.
My mother never fed me or my brother, she said she 'didn't want to be a human cow'. Right........