WCM early and preemies

[Jalapeñomel]

So I'm ready to stop pumping at work, so I want to transition to WCM or almond milk, but D is 10 days short of 11 months.

My pedi really wants me to wait until he is a year, and if I want to stop pumping, to supplement with formula, especially since D was a preemie (and their digestive systems take a little longer to catch up).

I have a large freezer stash, but I'm not sure it'll get me to 12 months, so I wanted to start transitioning now (I don't really want to go to formula).

So has anyone done the early transition with a preemie?


I will pump if I have too.

[countthestars]

Why not formula?

If your doctor wants him on BM or formula until 1 I wouldn't switch to milk early. I would pump or give formula.

[wavepool]

O was a 37 weeker with a NICU stay for a different reason, but our pedi also told me no milk before 1. I wound up following that because of some digestive issues he was having at the same time, but I think I would follow pedi's advice in this situation. I know the threads on here often say go for it anyway if you're that close (and I have agreed with that thought), but in this situation, I'd probably stick with BM or formula until then. If you want to stop pumping, do it, but if it's still possible and not completely miserable, one more month will be nothing compared to all the time you've already spent pumping!

[ijack]

We actually did BM/formula past her adjusted age bday because it has more nutrients than whole milk. How early was DS again? How much does he weigh now?

[jessnpaul]

We did formula until B reached his adjusted age of one year (so 14 months for him) and then switched to WCM.

[starlily]

DD1 (35 weeks) was already on formula by that point, so we didn't transition until after she turned a year old.

[nomad]

The girls just had their year appt and I discussed this with their dr. This year we have been going to NICU follow up and the normal pedi since our girls we 31 weekers. Everyone agrees formula until a year adjusted. Actually my breezy pedi said until 15 months but I can start introducing whole milk to them now, just keep up the formula.

[Jalapeñomel]

Sept 4, 2014 12:40:09 GMT -5 ijack said:

We actually did BM/formula past her adjusted age bday because it has more nutrients than whole milk. How early was DS again? How much does he weigh now?

He was 7 weeks early, and he weights almost 22 lbs now. 

[Jalapeñomel]

Ok, I guess I will just wait until 12 months to do WCM.

[mlvmd]

I had a preterm (36 weeks but over 8lbs) and we waited until after 12 months. We did formula at that point though.

[Jalapeñomel]

Sept 4, 2014 18:20:34 GMT -5 incogneato said:

I would wait or do formula. Also, I'm sure you already know this, but almond milk is not at all comparable to WCM in terms of fat, calories, protein, or really anything. So I would double check that this is ok with your pedi even after a year. If your baby eats solids really well and takes a vitamin D supplement it might be ok, but I would be wary. Almond milk is basically water with a sprinkling of almond dust on top. Great for paleo as a water subsititute but not really a balanced substitute for WCM for a little person who needs those calories, KWIM?

The pedi is ok with almond milk as long as we are feeding yogurt and cheese as a regular part of his diet.

[rex]

i am having trouble understanding the opposition to formula if you don't want to continue pumping.

i would follow your pedi's advice on this.

[anna7602]

Sept 4, 2014 18:55:50 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Sept 4, 2014 18:20:34 GMT -5 incogneato said:

I would wait or do formula. Also, I'm sure you already know this, but almond milk is not at all comparable to WCM in terms of fat, calories, protein, or really anything. So I would double check that this is ok with your pedi even after a year. If your baby eats solids really well and takes a vitamin D supplement it might be ok, but I would be wary. Almond milk is basically water with a sprinkling of almond dust on top. Great for paleo as a water subsititute but not really a balanced substitute for WCM for a little person who needs those calories, KWIM?

The pedi is ok with almond milk as long as we are feeding yogurt and cheese as a regular part of his diet.

I'm okay with this. DD never had WCM and got all of her calcium plus some necessary fat from yogurt and cheese. BUT, I agree with everyone else to do formula, per your pedi's advice, if you want to stop pumping. 

[soozy87]

My baby was born at 37 weeks and was in the NICU for a week. Our ped told us that we could start WCM any time after 9 months. We just started a few days ago at 10 months.