Breastfeeding?

[anonymous]

Hi. I'm just curious if any of you breastfed your CF babies? What have the doctors recommended concerning breast vs. formula. If formula, what type. I'm especially interested in those whose babies exhibited lots of GI problems.

I stopped b/f with my daughter because the Dr. thought it would be best. She was put on Alimentum and did gain weight better.

With my son, I have researched more, and I don't think I will quit.

What are you're thoughts??

Thanks,

Edna
daughter 5yrs, daughter 2 1/2yrs ??CF, son 3mos. ??CF

 

[julie]

Edna, try this link http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=3289&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE= it's a breastfeeding topic from a few weeks ago.

 

[julie]

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=3289&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=">http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=3289&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=</a>

ok, this should probably get you right there. If it doesn't work for some reason, go to the search button at the top of the page on the Right and type breastfeeding into the search engine.

 

[HollyCatheryn]

I know of a couple of moms who didn't post to that thread whose children have done very well on breastmilk. You can email me at <A href="mailto:jaloughlin3@sbcglobal.net">jaloughlin3@sbcglobal.net</A> and I'd be happy to pass on your info to them so you can ask questions - since they have been successful. I know that when my mother weaned me to a bottle my symptoms became worse in some ways. When I was diagnosed and put on Nutramigen things got better. But, now you can breastfeed with enzyme supplements so that your baby gets all the nutrition from your milk and doesn't have the upsets.

 

[anonymous]

I breastfed my daughter and she did fine. I would spoon enzymes into her mouth befrore each time she nursed. We didn't have any problems. She nursed for 12 months.

 

[anonymous]

I breast feed my daughter for 15 months. Around 3 1/2 months I started introducing cereal and veggies. She was born with a meconium illius that resulted in a portion of her intestines dieing. She has surgery at 20 hours old to repair the damage. I pumped and pumped for the first few months and then with the help of a lactation consultant switch her to breast. She has done great and I am very thankful that I stuck with breast milk. My daughters doctor incouraged that I stop nursing and that I only use formula, but that just didn't make sense to me. My daughter has been extremely healthy and no problems with weight gain. I suggust parents use formula to supplement if more calories are truely needed. I also started giving my daughter enzymes with apple sauce starting at 13 days old and she tolorated the enzymes and apple sauce very well.

Breat feeding is a personal choice so good luck on weighing all the factors.

 

[anonymous]

Edna, I have a 2 1/2 yr old daughter with CF and I am still breastfeeding her. She has gained weight really well. I have been giving her enzymes with applesauce since she was 2 months old. She did not have any GI problems at birth. Even though she had no problems the nutritionist tried to get me to switch to formula due to it having more calories, but that didn't make sense to me considering how well she was doing. The doctor and pediatrition felt the breast was best. She is thriving and has had no major illnesses. Just yesterday on the Today morning show, they discussed breastfeeding and the new Pediatric standard is breastfeeding for 2 yrs. They have shown it to help prevent respiratory problems.

I would say if you can swing it stick with breastfeeding and supplement with formula if your little one is in need of the extra calories.

Good luck...

Jennifer (mom to Kimmie 2 1/2 yrs w/cf)