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My husband and I are vegan, and planned to breastfeed but I was unable to produce an adequate amount of milk this is my second child and second time trying with the same results. We are now using a formula, however as others have mentioned Soy products contain estrogen. Can anyone offer advice as to what I can feed my infant? I would like to give him the most healthiest diet without jeopordizing his health of course.
Jenny
Back in the day when humans lived mostly in tribes when a new mother wasn't able to breastfeed, another breastfeeding mother would carry on the job. EVen up my great grandmother did, and more recently my aunt (and I am only 25). It sounds very taboo today for a practice that is as old as time and in every culture. When I had my son and he had issues with my b-milk, my friend who had also given brith agreed to get herself tested by my doctor and when she got a clean bill of health she donated milk to my boy. It bonded us as friends in a new and I think cool way. Try talking to your lactating specialist regarding this. Sometimes if you don't know of anyone to help, they do.
If the above isn't an option for you, try talking with your ped. about it. The soy formula won't ruin his health and before you know it, you can start adding some really soft foods to his diet.
There are some really good organic soy formulas on the market now. I had very low milk supply with my third and had lots of luck with herbal teas and oatmeal for my milk supply, but still had to supplement with formula from two weeks on... The soy formula will be fine, and you will blink and it will be time for some calories through pureed foods and looking for BPA free sippy cups. Hope you are getting some sleep.
This post might be too late, but I was recently researching the topic when I saw your post - my pregnant sister has Lupus and probably won't be able to breastfeed her baby due to meds. I found this article, which may be helpful:
http://dorway.com/dorwblog/when-it-has-to-be-formula/
Amber - what I great idea, I'm currently breastfeeding my 4 month old, so I might try to provide some breastmilk to my sister as well when her baby arrives. :-)
Not sure if it is too late but when I had difficulty with milk production while breastfeeding my first child my midwife suggested to incorporate Fenugreek in my diet. She said you can use supplements (found in nutrition stores and health food stores) or just incorporate it in its pure form. It is very common in Indian diet and a new friend of mine (who happens to be from India) confirmed this and said her grandmother told her the same thing.
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