If my milk dries out, what can I substitute to feed my baby?

Find out what our expert has to say.
By Gidget Ortiz, M.D.

Q: My baby had been purely breast-fed from birth until her seventh month when we introduced her to the bottle (since I had to work). She resented it.

I tried different nipple brands and different kinds of milk, but still, she wouldn’t feed from the bottle. So we just give her solid food, fresh juice, and water during the day. When I arrive from work at 5 p.m., that’s the only time she gets milk again from me. Is my baby getting enough nutrition this way?

If my milk dries out, what can I feed her so she can get the right amount of nutrition?

—Floresa May Verdejo



A: Yes, the baby is getting enough nutrition from this strategy provided that she is taking an adequate amount of solid foods. You see, you have breast-fed your baby for seven months and this is considered adequate (exclusive breast-feeding is recommended for four to six months). Nutritional requirements are fully met at this age by breast milk alone. At six months, it is good to start the baby on solid foods, which you have done. If she takes breast milk after your work hours, this is just fine.

If she really does not like any other milk except yours, express your milk at other times and store it in sterilized containers.

It usually keeps for 24 hours inside the ref or three months inside the freezer. Just thaw it before you give it to her, and make sure you don’t re-freeze and re-thaw.

At one year old, she can have ordinary cow’s milk with her solids.
Baby can have the following food at these ages:

7-10 months: strained or mashed fruits and vegetables, egg yolk, finely cut and chopped meat or poultry

9-12 months: casseroles, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, yogurt, cheese, beans

12-18 months: (end of transition from all breast milk or formula to regular food with breast milk or formula or regular milk):
whole milk—16 to 24 ounces
fruits and vegetables—four to eight tablespoons
breads and cereals—four servings (one serving equals 1/4 slice of bread or two tablespoons of rice or pasta)
meat, poultry, fish, eggs—two servings (one serving equals one tablespoon)



SOURCE:
American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Nutrition



About the Author: Gidget Ortiz, M.D. is a registered nutritionist and teaches nutrition at UP College of Home Economics