Do I need to express ??

[Jusser]

Hi, my DS is 9 months and in recent weeks has really stepped up his solid intake and hence has cut down on milk during the day, to the extent that he is really only having full feeds morning and evening and occasionally a small feed mid morning prior to his nap...  My question is, if I miss a feed at this stage, do I still need to express or does my milk supply remain unaffected now we are 9 months down the line?  DS stayed with my SIL last night so he was bottle fed before bed and again this morning.  I pumped both times but am not sure whether it is necessary to still do this now he is so much older??  Also, there is so much conflicting advice about how many milk feeds babies should have at different stages and I have always felt that bm is the best source of nutrition for him - is 2 feeds a day adequate, given that he is getting milk with his breakfast cereal and a very well balanced solid diet?  I guess if he is not interested in feeding during the day there is not much I can do about it....  SIL tells me he only took half his bottle last night so that means yesterday he only had 1.5 milk feeds .  Any advice/ideas much appreciated.

[daisymelan]

I would suggest pumping when you miss feeds if you can.  You can always use that milk for his cereal, etc, and it ensures that your supply stays put.

I would think that two feeds is not the recommended amount.  At 9 months I would think 3 is the minimum.  I know that babies have a mind of their own, but I would strongly encourage your little one to at least try and nurse for a full feed during the day.  Try offering breast before solids.  As you said, milk should be their number source of nutrition through their first year.

Hope that helps.

[Carter'sMama]

I agree with daisymelan.  At that age 3-4 bf is usually the norm.  It's great that your lo is still taking good feeds morning and night.  I would definitely keep pumping to maintain your supply.  It might just be a phase that he is going through and he may start feeding with gusto again!  It is always helpful to have expressed milk on hand for cereal etc.  Maybe you could offer the ebm in a sippy with meals to see if he will take it that way.

HTH

[Jusser]

Thanks guys for your advice.  I rarely leave him with anyone but if I do I will continue expressing as I have been doing.
Re the number of feeds I phoned the PHN and she said 3 milk feeds would be average at 9 months.  I have introduced a bottle for the day feed and sometimes he takes it, sometimes he plays with it - anything from 2 - 6 oz.  Also takes goats milk on his cereal and some cheese so I feel this is OK.  God I remember the days when all he wanted to do was BF  , but in hindsight we have realised he had some reflux and feeding made him feel more comfortable ! (There is a lot of hindsight when you become a mum isn't there !?  . Thanks again for your replies.