Is Breastfeeding only at night enough?

Kirsten Veronica - posted on 07/07/2010

Please remember, YOUR milk is the ideal nutrition for a growing baby and cow's milks is at best a supplement, not a replacement, and MOST humans are intolerant to cow's milk. It sounds like you are doing beautifully and as long as you stay healthy (and take your supplements) he will be fine! What most people don't know is that doctors take very little nutrition education when they are in school and it is very scary how outdated a lot of their information can be. Your body knows what your baby needs to grow and WILL provide it! It's an amazing system! :D

Jamie - posted on 07/06/2010

You can also take a vitamin D suppliment and then your breastmilk will have enough vitamin D for him. A nursing mother needs between 5,000 and 7,000 IU of vitamin D a day.

You can get the vitamin from sun exposure, but you need 15 minutes of direct sunlight to hit non-protected skin (hands, arms and legs without sunscreen) every day to maintain healthy vitamin D levels, most people don't want their infants in the sun so much without protection, so taking a high level suppliment is usually the easiest option. Vitamin D is an important factor in defending the body against various serious cancers later in life.

If you're not deficient in your vitamin levels, it's not necessary for him to have juice or milk during the day. As long as he's staying hydrated during the day nursing at night should be fine.

April - posted on 07/06/2010

my 18 month old nurse primarily at night and has been since he was born. during the day he nurses first thing in the morning and once at nap (around 10 am). Then he doesn't nurse again until bedtime and i nurse him again however many times he wakes up.

i hope it is enough. He isn't fond of cow's milk. he will drink a sip or two and then blows bubbles the rest of the time. it is sort of like he's saying, "Mommy...cow's milk is a joke!" and i think he might be right!!

ps. after 15 minutes in the sun, a person gets vitamin D so cow's milk is not really important for that

Tamarra - posted on 07/05/2010

Thanks so much. TJ does drink water and eat solids (with some days better than others) during the day in my absence. I guess I was concerned about the fat needed for brain development that whole milk has. The DR made such a big deal out of him needing whole milk now. But like I said I tried everything and he is not interested. She also wants him on multi vitamin but short of holding him down and squiting it in for him to spit out that has not gone very well either. I have a very strong willed little boy on my hands.

Kirsten Veronica - posted on 07/04/2010

There really isn't any advantage to cow's milk over breast milk. Remember, breast milk is human milk, made for humans, and cow's milk is made for cows. I honestly don't even know why we are obsessed with it.

Anyway, sounds like your son has reversed cycled and is getting all his breast feeding benefits at night when you are home to reconnect and bond as well as get nutrients. And like the previous poster said, as long as he is eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated with water, everything should be fine.

Lerin - posted on 07/04/2010

I agree with Sara. My dr. even told me that I didn't need to give my LO whole milk as long as I was still breastfeeding. She does get a vitamin supplement. She drinks water all day long out of her sippy cup- occasionally I'll give her diluted juice, but mostly just water. Most babies who are away from mom during the day want to nurse as soon as mom returns & thru the night to make up for being apart.
Babies know when they're hungry, thirsty etc. I'm sure he's getting what he needs if he's eating solids & drinking water while you're away.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 07/04/2010

If he's getting breast milk, even just at night, then he doesn't *need* whole milk. I would be try to get him to drink water while away from you (at least to start). Does he eat any solids? My 14 month old nurses 3 times and the rest of the day she has water and solids.

Kristin - posted on 07/03/2010

What's happening when you are at work? Is he drinking other fluids then? Is his diet pretty well balanced? What about a vitamin supplement?

The advantage the whole milk has over breast is the addition of Vitamin D. Maybe a bit of additional fat for brain development. So, if he's getting that and enough fluids, he's fine.

Just keep offering the cup when you are with him and find out how it's going when you aren't with him. If he's drinking from a cup during the day, find out what they are giving him and see if he can have some of it right about the time you go to pick him up.

I guess I don't really understand what you are asking by enough? I hope this helps a bit. Good luck.