[tobi4]

Hi mammas! I have a question I hope you can answer for me. I am currently breastfeeding my almost 9 mth old son, and had planned on mostly weaning at a year but continuing morning and bedtime nursings. Just a few weeks ago, we confirmed my little guy is allergic to milk, so I have decided to continue breastfeeding until he is around 2. My question is this, How often does baby need the breast after a year? Not want, lol he wants to be there 24/7. Im curious what the actual need is. 3x a day? 4x?
Any opinions you have are appreciated.
Thanks!

[-Bailey-]

Now this is all just what I think, not fact but...

I don't think they truly need it at all once they are eating a variety of solids. Not in the sense a small baby does at least.
And you could continue the mornin and night nursing, and pump some to give in a cup throughout the day maybe.

[mgm78]

my DD does not get milk, but she eats other things and drinks soy or almond milk, so breastmilk is not her primary source of food, atleast when she was nursing. i would just make sure as long as he has a good diet, and has variety, he should be ok. you can try the non dairy yogurts, like coconut or soy or almond or rice and you can always put some flax oil in them for added fat. we give my DD unsweetened organic plain soy milk.

[Blue-Jay]

I'm not sure, to tell you the truth, but I just wanted to welcome you to the board!

[Mod-quietsong]

Honestly, they don't NEED it, it comes down to want. Now, without being able to give milk, keep in mind that you'll need to use breastfeeding (and other foods) as sources of healthy fat in his diet - so I would say make sure at least to get a good session in first thing in the morning and last thing at night, but otherwise a healthy diet should be just fine and you can play it by ear

[lunarmagic]

Yes, what the other girls said. Kids don't really need cow's milk, specifically. It's just a convenient way to get healthy fats and calories in them. But as long as they are eating well and getting those from other sources they could drink just water. So the breastfeeding is a great food source (especially when they're being picky eaters or feeling sick!), but it's not something you need to schedule in so many times a day.

[tobi4]

Thanks mammas! That makes things seem a little easier. I dont like too much soy for baby boys, and hes reacted to almond so hes limited a bit. Thhanks again for your help!

[mgm78]

Coconut and rice milk would be the next ones to try, but i would put flax oil in them to beef them up a little with fats. We also eat coconut and rice yogurts too. Soy is really not an issue if there are no health concerns and used in moderation.

Q&A: Is soy safe for boys or will it create a hormonal imbalance? | BabyZone
Is Soy Milk Safe For Boys To Drink? | LIVESTRONG.COM

[tobi4]

Ive seen the research but Ive also had experience with it. My eldest son is 20. He has breasts. He was on soy as an infant. Its related or its not, but its just not a chance Im willing to take. If it does happen to be related and I allowed it to happen again, I just dont know that Id forgive myself. Its one thing for it to happen and not know but quite another to suspect something and do it anyways, know what I mean? Im not trying to be confrontational at all, Im afraid to use it in anything more than limited amounts.
Coconut milk Ive not heard of giving it to children to drink, Ive only used it in recipes. Do you just give tham a cup of it? I am using the rice milk for myself right now, since I cant have any dairy while bf'ing. Ive only found soy yogurt which I didnt like, and almond yogurt as I mentioned. I havent found coconut or rice yet. Do you know of other things that the rice or coconut is used in? Ive tried the soy cheese. You seem like you know quite a bit about this... tell me what you know! LOL

[mgm78]

the coconut milk is not in cans, like for cooking, but sold like soy milk, in the fridge, in cartons, as is the rice milk, though rice milk is often sold shelf stable in tetrapacks. As far as the breasts, i would looks at your meat and the hormones in it, as i would suspect that over the soy milk, as many many many babies are on soy formula with no ill effects and soy milk is commonly the primary milk in many countries where cows milk is not eaten, with no perceived health effects (like breast cancer, etc). The hormones in meat are what a lot of people are looking at at causing girls to menstruate and go thru puberty much much earlier in the past decade or so.

our local grocery store, in the organic section, has soy yogurt, coconut yogurt, almond and rice yogurts. Our natural food store has an even wider selection. this is a really good vegan non dairy cheese that has no soy in it Cheddar | Daiya Foods

also, have you tried goat's milk? it is closest to human milk and many do not have an allergy to it.

we are vegan so we do not eat milk or meat or anything at home.

[tobi4]

I checked out that link you posted and it had a locator. There are 3 stores right by me that sell that cheese! I miss cheese the most, thank you for suggesting that!
Ill have to keep looking for the different types, I havent seen the coconut milk other than the cans. (I was confused when I thought we were talking about the canned stuff lol) Hopefully the shops that came up on that search will have more dairy free foods for us to try.
You have been very helpful! If you dont mind, I may seek you out for more advice as we try to navigate this new terrain lol

[mgm78]

no problem! i hope you can find it. we use it in burritos and to make pizza, etc. our store has the mozz shreds and cheddar shreds. no bother at all. you can also stop by the vegetarian mommies board, i am the host over there too! I have been vegetarian for over 20 years. Yeah, the coconut milk is sold like soy milk and has become quite popular so hopefully you can find it in the fridge soon. So Delicious, Silk and Blue Diamond are the big brands. Also, Almond dream is sold on the shelf in shelf stable boxes. We eat coconut ice cream and almond ice cream. Coconut ice cream is the best! See if the So Delicious site has a locater.