Update: Finding the right formula to supplement breastmilk
After much trial and error, I have found an infant formula that my 9-month-old daughter will drink. It's soy-based and apparently is pleasing enough to her little palate that she downs bottle after bottle.
This little supplementing conundrum truly took a village to solve. Some of you may recall my recent cry for help. Many thanks to everyone who gave me advice.
I've been eating oatmeal, pumping and trying to rest. Still, there's been no flood. I think my primary problem is that I've been back at work for five months now and pumping every two hours to get my production back on track is just not going to happen. And, my pump -– even though it's a Medela double pump –- seems less and less effective every day. Although I'm not giving up on myself, I'm glad to have found a supplement that works.
I must admit the glee of solving this issue is tempered by the recent news that the FDA has found trace elements of melamine, an industrial chemical, in U.S. infant formula. FDA officials say parents shouldn't fret. The melamine was not intentionally put into the formula as it was by manufacturers in China, where four babies died and tens of thousands became ill. And in the U.S.-made formula, the chemical is present in such small amounts that it shouldn't harm children, FDA officials said. One official said taking infants off formula would be a "dangerous overreaction." Dubious? The agency has devoted an entire Web page to the issue.
So, yes, this is one more reason I am a proponent of breastfeeding for as long as possible. Man-made food –- whether it's infant formula or preservative-laced food –- can be dangerous. But as my recent dry spell has proven, sometimes, despite our best intentions, the body does not cooperate and parents have to find ways to deal.
Now Mommas, lets not judge each other. This is not a battle of breastfeeders versus formula feeders. Let's all agree to keep an eye out -- on the FDA, on formula makers, toy companies, doctors and anybody else whose products or hands come in contact with children. When we work together, we all win.
-- Sherri Day
Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
Amy Hollyfield is a workaholic mother of two young
daughters, blessed to have a work-at-home husband who makes their life possible. She was born in Detroit and moved around a lot as a kid (read: Air Force brat). She has lived in Florida since the month after she
graduated from Northwestern University. She lives for the yelps, hugs and kisses that greet her on nights that she makes it home before bedtime.
Sherry Robinson was born in the Sunshine State but she feels more comfortable inside a mall than outside at the beach -- thank goodness her husband is the outdoorsy type. He takes their two sons on night hikes, beach runs and bug hunts while Sherry does her best to take care of the homestead -- and find out what is new on the store shelves. A graduate of the University of South Florida in 19noneofyourbusiness, Sherry has been at the Times for nearly 20 years. And with nearly 10 years of parenting experience, Sherry is eager to offer up some great dish on raising kids and keeping your sanity.
Guest blogger Tracey Henry, a.k.a. Suburban Diva, is a frantic, slightly frazzled mother of four. She is a freelance humor writer and author which is the only thing that parenting four children ages 12-1 trains you for, except perhaps court jester and professional bull rider. She and her husband have lived all over the country, but settled in Florida eight years ago because the beachcombing is so much better here than on the banks of the Mississippi. Their family time includes a lot of sport -- both watching and playing -- and fun in the sun and surf. Catch her in Whoa, Momma! and on her site, 
Sherri Day and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world in early 2008. So far, she describes parenthood as exciting, exhausting and exhilarating. A self-described Southern belle with small-town values and big-city idealism, Sherri was born in rural Georgia. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Clark Atlanta University and her master's of journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She is the Brandon bureau chief for the Times. Sherri moved to Tampa from Brooklyn four years ago.
Ignore the trolls. I am glad that you found something that works for the little one.
Posted by: LEJ | December 03, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Crack cocaine mixed with Night-Train works too!
Posted by: Qwaneeqwa M. | December 02, 2008 at 04:39 PM
What happened to making your own formula from Karo syrup and milk
Posted by: Danny Mason | December 02, 2008 at 03:59 PM
glad you found the right formula Sherri!
Posted by: Marisol | December 02, 2008 at 10:25 AM