Saturday, May 17, 2008

It looks like we're going to avoid formula...

When Charlie was born and I realized her feeding issues were going to be a long-term thing I was terrified of what the future held. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to maintain my milk supply and she'd be on formula early. And what if I did pump for a year or more? She would eventually need something besides my milk! I thought formula designed for older kids and adults is what she would eventually be on. I was sad at the thought, but you have to do what you have to do, right?

But there's another option! It's called a "blended diet" or "blenderized diet". A lot of dieticians don't present it as an option because either they are too lazy to monitor this type of diet or because they are too thick to realize that real food is usually better for humans than something brewed up in a factory.

Basically, you blend up real food and put it in their tube. Wow, who would have thunk it huh? LOL

So Charlie is 7 1/2 months and I've had my fair share of difficulties pumping. It took a long time for me to find a pump that really works for me. I've had supply issues. Emotionally it's draining to have to sit down and put cold plastic horns up to my chest rather than snuggle my baby to my chest. It's inconvenient. Anytime I want to go anywhere I have to figure out how long I'm going to be gone, do I need to take my pump, where am I going to find a place to pump, how am I going to keep the milk cool until we get home, ect.

But I'm ALMOST THERE! I don't really want to start a blended diet until she's about a year, but we may try a few things early depending on her need. I found an herbal supplement that helps my milk supply so that's something I may not have to worry about for a while.

So I'm very excited today at this realization. A tube-fed kid who's never had formula...it's a rarity, that's for sure!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is exciting! Charlie *should* get the benefits of real food, and I'm so proud of you for making it happen. You're such a wonderful mommy!

And on an aside, how on earth is Princess Charlie almost 8 months old already?!? That doesn't seem possible!

strollerfreak - Mel said...

You CAN do it!!! It might seem like an inconvenience, but you can do it!!
EP'ers ROCK!!!