My baby and I have been able to reach the 1 year mark of pure breastfeeding just a few days ago. I work from home for 3 days so I am able to directly feed her and on days that I go to office, she drinks expressed milk. I've been reading up a lot (esp fr LLLI) to make sure we maximize the benefits of breastfeeding. Since this is my first baby and first time in bf, I'm quite paranoid on how much my milk supply really is. It's a struggle to trust my body to make enough milk for my daughter - so I've been regularly taking Moringa Oleifera Lam capsules. I also drink mother's milk tea when I notice a drastic drop in my supply. Starting our 10th month (when DD also had 2 round of high fever which caused her weight to drop significantly), I noticed that my already decent pumping output of 5-6oz dropped to 3-4.5oz --- now I know that this should not be taken as the exact measurement of my supply but i really cannot help but notice the change and be extremely worried. Now, when i am away which is about 10hrs) DD only takes 9-10oz. When we are together, we have around 2 sessions of 20min nursing during the day and abt 2 "snack" nirsing of 5-10mins.
My husband and I are on the short side, both only stand at 5"4ft. My baby has been between the 10th and 25th percentile in the WHO growth charts (which I use to track her growth). She is one extremely happy and active baby, and has been really good at hitting milestones (she is now walking on her own). We've been seeing an endocrinologist 2x now and on the last check up which was a few days after she turned1, she told me that it's time to wean her off. My heart literally broke when I heard this as I really really struggled to ensure that my baby gets only the best milk! The doc explained using the WHO charts that she fell below the 5th percentile and so she is advising that the quantity and quality of my breastmilk may not be sufficient for my DD anymore. She explained to me
That although DD is hitting the development milestones, this may be hurt if she does not get the weight/growth. I actually asked her (since I had my Baby's growth chart based on the WHO charts printed out) on why on WHO she is still
Within the 10th and 25th percentile. And since their medical
System is using CDC charts, she just said that why in her charts its showing differently.
I would do anything for my baby, as any mother would. But my heart and mind tells me
That my milk is still whats best for her. I revisited my research on growth charts and recomfirmed thaT CDC actually recommends using WHO charts when it came out bec of the sample
Population and the critieria (which is 100% breasfwd babies as well as babies from other regions). I am just in a very very difficult position right now on what to do since its a specialist who advised this already. I am considering supplementing during daytime and keep mornings and nighttime breastmilk but of course i would prefer 100% to be breastmilk if possible.
Appreciate any advice!!!