feeling sad my baby won't have the so called 'virgin gut'....

[roc]

Thanks so much ladies, i am starting to feel better, and come to terms with the whole thing, and he's been EBF since, i'm planning on keeping going for as long as possible with it too, so i guess every bit counts.

It's just hard feeling so helpless about it all, feeding your baby is one of the most important things a mummy does, and i had so many hopes about what was best for him, but i suppose the formula prob was best for him at the time, i just wish i'd have been asked at least!

Anyhow, thanks for all the kind replies wonderful mummies!

 

[HollySSmith]

Yes, returning to EBM can change the ph to levels favouring Breastfed flora within about 2-3 weeks. But the gut is never the same again. After about 6 months the gut flora returns to majority BF flora. But it never returns. Once no longer a virgin, no longer a virgin....

I have read several posts from this member and they are rarely helpful. She seems to have this "holier than thou" attitude. If she was interested in promoting good health and practices she would not be using snide comments. Don't let her get you down. She seems to be able to regurgitate a lot of health info from the web but still has yet to figure out what support really means. Afterall, breastfeeding success is strongly linked with having access to good support!
Anyhow, you are doing a great job with your LO, continue to EBF as you intended. Things happen all the time that are out of our control and being the great mummy you are, you are doing everything you can control, to help you baby. Remember we can't control all the things that happen in life - just how we react to them!
Its obvious you love your baby very much so please don't beat yourself up about this - your baby is lucky to have such a great mummy!

 

[Nel]

I've never heard of this either. PLEASE don't let it detract from the joy you should be feeling in these early days. You obviously care very much about doing the best for your baby and want her to have the perfect start. But there isn't a perfect start - everyone has issues of one sort or another. The important thing is not to let them spoil what should be such a happy time. The days go by far too fast to waste time feeling sad about what you can't change.

I'm sure all the research quoted in this thread is true etc but my sister 100% BFd two of her children and 100% FF the other two - all are now teenagers. The two BFd have had more health problems over the years than the two FFd. So go figure!

 

[roc]

Yes, returning to EBM can change the ph to levels favouring Breastfed flora within about 2-3 weeks. But the gut is never the same again. After about 6 months the gut flora returns to majority BF flora. But it never returns. Once no longer a virgin, no longer a virgin....

I have read several posts from this member and they are rarely helpful. She seems to have this "holier than thou" attitude. If she was interested in promoting good health and practices she would not be using snide comments. Don't let her get you down. She seems to be able to regurgitate a lot of health info from the web but still has yet to figure out what support really means. Afterall, breastfeeding success is strongly linked with having access to good support!

she does seem a bit off, she didn't entirely make sense in response to my OP either, i think she was just looking for an opportunity

Thank you so much both ladies who have replied most recently, i don't know what i'd do without the wonderful support here on bnb.

 

[MelanieAnn]

I completely understand why you are so cross with me. The virgin gut is really emotive, especially for mums who were forced to supplement for circumstances beyond their control. We all desire, so much, the best for our pristine new babies! And I don't think I know a mum who isn't doing her best. Yes, this information is offensive; I understand that.

The most sensitive explanation I am aware of is here: https://www.breastfeed.com/articles...asional-bottle-of-formula-has-its-risks-3451/

Congratulations, so very well done, for keeping going with BF despite an extremely rocky start.

Melanie

 

[Lu28]

I completely understand why you are so cross with me. The virgin gut is really emotive, especially for mums who were forced to supplement for circumstances beyond their control. We all desire, so much, the best for our pristine new babies! And I don't think I know a mum who isn't doing her best. Yes, this information is offensive; I understand that.

The most sensitive explanation I am aware of is here: https://www.breastfeed.com/articles...asional-bottle-of-formula-has-its-risks-3451/

Congratulations, so very well done, for keeping going with BF despite an extremely rocky start.

Melanie

Melanie, I think you are missing the point here somewhat. The OP came here looking for support and encouragement. Even if the information you have is technically correct, it is of no help or comfort at this point, what's done is done. When somebody is upset about this kind of thing (as I was when I realised as my LO needed formula supplements to start) it's almost a case of kicking someone when they're down - why rub someone's nose in it when they can't turn back the clock?

 

[JASMAK]

My daughter was tube fed at birth until about a month from various illnesses that plagued her (my eldest daughter, not this baby). You are only doing what you can for your baby, and you should never feel guilty about that. I know that it is hard and emotional. I was a mess. I only wish I had more support during that time. Makena succesfully breastfed for 19mths after that. Kelana also had formula at birth as she was severly hypoglycemic.

 

[hivechild]

There are going to be so many firsts in your baby's life, and in the end, all of the wonderful, exciting firsts you share with her will far outweigh the first time she had something other than mummy's milk, or the first time she bumps her head or grazes a knee, falls off her bike or has her heart broken at the tender age of 6 when her boyfriend says he likes her best friend more!

All we can do as mothers is try to provide the very best we can for our babies. There comes a point in their lives, and quite often at many and varied points throughout their lives where what happens is beyond our complete control. There will come a time when we won't even have any control over their lives and the most we can do is give our advice to our grown up babies, and make sure they know without a doubt that we love, care, and only want the very best for them, whatever life may bring them.

 

[roc]

I completely understand why you are so cross with me. The virgin gut is really emotive, especially for mums who were forced to supplement for circumstances beyond their control. We all desire, so much, the best for our pristine new babies! And I don't think I know a mum who isn't doing her best. Yes, this information is offensive; I understand that.

The most sensitive explanation I am aware of is here: https://www.breastfeed.com/articles...asional-bottle-of-formula-has-its-risks-3451/

Congratulations, so very well done, for keeping going with BF despite an extremely rocky start.

Melanie

Melanie, I think you are missing the point here somewhat. The OP came here looking for support and encouragement. Even if the information you have is technically correct, it is of no help or comfort at this point, what's done is done. When somebody is upset about this kind of thing (as I was when I realised as my LO needed formula supplements to start) it's almost a case of kicking someone when they're down - why rub someone's nose in it when they can't turn back the clock?

thanks Lu, you beat me to it, i was just about to say the very same thing, i truly feel like i'm being kicked whilst down with this information (which i obviously already knew-why else was i upset?) being thrust at me!

So, thank-you so much for your support, and the support of the other kind ladies that have taken the time to reply to me.