https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:24:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-with-extra-breast-milk#post-2914164 Sat, 18 Apr 2020 06:30:13 +0000 karenbme 2914164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tionn3: I appreciate where your point, and if there were a private lab or even my pcp that I could go to for the blood draw, I would. But I live in a relatively rural area and the only place I could go within ~2 hours drive is the hospital. I know a couple people who have been there for non-Covid issues recently and been fine, but DD was sent to the NICU for respiratory complications at birth and I just don’t want to push my luck.</p> <p>@mrsbubbletea: Interesting, I’ll keep looking for other groups. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-with-extra-breast-milk#post-2914129 Fri, 17 Apr 2020 11:57:22 +0000 Tionn3 2914129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would reconsider getting those blood tests. There is going to be a shortage of donor breast milk because of this pandemic. They are separating covid19 positive mothers from their babies at birth and there will be a greater need potentially for donor breast milk. </p> <p>Having said that I 100% respect your choice not to finish your donor labs given the current situation (it's scary out there). You could also see if there are any human milk labs in your area (at universities). I donated both to mother's milk bank, but also to a research lab that does research on human breast milk ( and I didn't need any blood tests for that). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-with-extra-breast-milk#post-2914116 Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:46:21 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2914116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would see if there’s any other Facebook groups in your area. I donated my extra milk through Facebook both times and my sister just did it (she literally reactivated her account to find the group and then deleted it again). In my area there is “eats on feet’s” and “human milk for human babies” specific to multiple regions, so I would start there! It’s nice to make it as simple and painless as possible since you’ve already put in all that work to produce and pump! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-with-extra-breast-milk#post-2914111 Thu, 16 Apr 2020 14:44:11 +0000 karenbme 2914111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady baltimore: We'll definitely be doing milk + solids once we're ready, our pediatrician actually recommends soaking oats in milk as a first food and mixing a little peanut butter with milk for early peanut exposure (although I'm not sure how I feel about giving allergenic foods right now). I hadn't thought about fertilizer, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-with-extra-breast-milk#post-2914101 Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:34:06 +0000 lady baltimore 2914101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm probably not the best person to ask, as my LO is 4, weaned over two years ago, and I still have two gallon bags of breast milk in our chest freezer. I keep thinking I am going to order a piece of breast milk jewelry, but never get around to it.</p> <p>At 5 months, your LO will be ready to start eating foods soon - maybe you could use extra milk to cook for her?</p> <p>I know cow's milk whey is supposed to be good for tomato plants. If you have house plants or a garden, maybe some of them would like a little breast milk fertilizer? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-with-extra-breast-milk#post-2914091 Thu, 16 Apr 2020 06:14:56 +0000 karenbme 2914091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, I’m looking for suggestions on what to do with excess breast milk. I’ve been EPing for my 5 month old and between frozen milk and quarantine food, both our freezers are full. I was in the process of getting certified as a milk donor in Feb/early March, but don’t feel comfortable going to the hospital for the blood test right now. I also put out to a local moms group on Facebook that I have extra milk if anyone can’t find formula or otherwise needs milk, but no takers (doesn’t really surprise me). So what else can I do with milk? Sometime soon we’ll do a milk bath with DD and see if she likes it, but other than that I’ve got nothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846347 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 11:44:52 +0000 lindseykaye 2846347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO loooooved milk a lot and was eating plenty of food but the high amount of Vitamin D she was getting ended up actually interfering with her iron and she wound up anemic and needed supplements. So, it was only then that we started limiting milk intake around 2.5 yrs. She still drinks milk, either in cereal or with dinner a few times a week. But she phased it out herself mostly after we reduced in general </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846343 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 11:35:05 +0000 codeitall 2846343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, seems like were all over the board!</p> <p>@SweetiePie: We've had tons of nutritional concerns about my son (dairy allergy and texture issues) and we're always trying to get him to eat his food instead of filling up on soy milk. And not really a nutritional concern, but soy milk is twice as expensive as regular milk!</p> <p>@Hypatia: I totally agree that cleaning out sippy cups is awful!</p> <p>@Mrs. Carrot: I come from a water family and I've never liked milk either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846328 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 10:26:29 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2846328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Admittedly I'm not a fan of milk myself, but we started giving our daughter less around 2-3 years old, partly because it was making nasal congestion issues and constipation worse, and partly because preK and now kindergarten still give milk with snacks so I don't see that she needs to have it at home either. I'd rather she get her vitamins in other ways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846302 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 09:45:19 +0000 FaithFertility 2846302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is almost 4 has milk once a day maybe 3-4 days a week when she asks for breakfast she drinks water daily<br /> No juice </p> <p>DS is 1 next month and has about 6oz with breakfast and maybe 5 at dinner?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846279 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:28:33 +0000 KT326 2846279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We cut down on the amount of milk we give after 2 years old. Our kids have low iron and milk inhibits iron absorption. My oldest only drinks it in his cereal but my youngest will drink all day long if we let him. He only gets 2 cups a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846272 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:17:34 +0000 Ajsmommy 2846272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids loveee milk and I'm sorry but I won't phase it out even if told to.. that could also be the farm girl in me talking... but I dont' see how drinking milk replaces food unless your kids only drinks and doesn't eat?? IDK. </p> <p>Anyway, my DD drinks milk in the morning, gets a cup with lunch and then gets a cup with dinner and usually asks for 1 or 2 refills. If she needs more then I do offer water instead. And I do full fat milk too (gasp)..</p> <p>ETA: our ped has mentioned it and recommended we go to 1% milk and to limit the intake... never actually said they are getting too much milk but I can read between the lines.... I didn't change anything... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846262 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 06:28:17 +0000 Adira 2846262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I'm with you. My husband still drinks a ton of milk as an adult - I don't think you need to phase it out. Plus milk has calcium, vitamin D, and protein, so it's not like it's unhealthy!</p> <p>That being said, my youngest (almost 4) does like to fill up on milk rather than eating all his food, so I try to find the balance. He gets 2-3 cups a day, but if he drinks all his milk at dinner and is still thirsty, he gets water instead of more milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846254 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 03:24:18 +0000 SweetiePie 2846254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: interesting. My son just drinks it with meals and snacks so I’m not worried about it replacing food. And he eats all the items you named as well. He has a robust appetite and likes a variety of healthy foods. Maybe that’s why the ped hasn’t said anything. We have his 4yr well visit today so I’m going to ask her, as I’m curious. </p> <p>I guess I see why it may be a problem for some, but for us I don’t see a reason to discourage milk consumption. If he was asking for a cup of milk as a stand-alone item/meal VS with food, I could see the issue. Maybe that’s why OP was asking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846238 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:24:36 +0000 Hypatia 2846238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Milk has a fair amount of sugar (one cup is 11g carbs). And because of the calories, there's a tendency to fill up on milk vs food. I'd rather my kids get their calcium from cheese, broccoli, almonds, etc. Also, I hate trying to clean old milk out of sippy cups! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846215 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 19:10:06 +0000 SweetiePie 2846215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: Hmm, ok. Well that’s def not a problem over here. 🤣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846212 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 18:44:27 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2846212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I think maybe it’s just to make sure they eat enough actual food. And as long as they don’t get it right when they’re going to sleep and brush their teeth then I think it’s fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846210 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 18:39:11 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2846210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped giving milk during the day (because food consumption is minimal a lot of the time) unless it’s in cereal or maybe 2 ounces at lunchtime, but every night before bed, my 3 year old gets 7-9pz of homo milk with stories. It has been part of our bedtime routine since 13 months. I don’t know when I’ll cut it out, perhaps when we all get more interested in night potty training, right now she’s day trained. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846176 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:51:37 +0000 Sams Mom 2846176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I've never been told to phase it out, my understanding is just they should start drinking more water along with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846175 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:50:28 +0000 mediagirl 2846175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 year old drinks it at breakfast and dinner and always will while she's in my house. I don't understand why we would phase it out. Calcium!! We all drink the same milk now - 1% cows milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846174 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:48:55 +0000 SweetiePie 2846174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Am I the only dummy that doesn't understand why it needs to be phased out? Unless its like a sleep crutch or something? </p> <p>My very newly turned 4yo still has 1-2 cups a day. Plus some in his cereal. Our pediatrician asks how much milk he drinks and I tell her honestly each time and she's never said anything.<br /> I don't plan on phasing it out at all...I just want to get him to drink more water in addition to the milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846169 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:39:35 +0000 DesertDreams88 2846169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>still going strong 2-3 cups a day at 2y8m. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846165 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:35:34 +0000 catgirl 2846165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD has a small cup of milk at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No plans to phase it out as of now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846157 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:04:35 +0000 dolphin 2846157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost 6 year old still loves drinking milk so I don't see phasing it out anytime soon. She drinks it twice a day, with her breakfast in the morning and then after dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846152 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:57:02 +0000 Sams Mom 2846152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is finally getting to the point that he asks for water ever now and then instead of milk. He's almost 2 1/2, He drinks milk more than water and juice combined most days though.</p> <p>ETA: I drink milk very regularly, so I don't imagine it will ever be phased out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846131 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:11:45 +0000 paigeface 2846131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO who is 3 just started to not be interested in milk on his own which was surprising. When I would give him milk he asked for water instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-phase-out-milk#post-2846125 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:05:37 +0000 codeitall 2846125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost 4 year old still has soy milk (milk allergy) almost every morning and before bed. Sometimes he has it for mealtimes too. When did your child stop drinking/preferring milk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-low-milk-supply-with-your-first-baby-was-it-better-with-your-second#post-2836563 Fri, 27 Jul 2018 20:50:26 +0000 MrsDynamiteGal 2836563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: To be honest, I don't really know. Breastfeeding was so hard with my first and it ended after 7 months due to work (something that to this day I regret). My second seemed easier because I pushed through the difficult weeks, and there was no job either. This one last two years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-low-milk-supply-with-your-first-baby-was-it-better-with-your-second#post-2836348 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:15:50 +0000 buttermilk 2836348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the feedback everyone! I just ordered the book “Making More Milk” so I’m going to read that before delivery and have my supplements ready to go from day one. I also got a Spectra pump this time which I’ve heard some women are more responsive too than the Medela. I may start taking alfalfa and goats rue in my last month of pregnancy as well. Fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-low-milk-supply-with-your-first-baby-was-it-better-with-your-second#post-2836185 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:51:11 +0000 snowjewelz 2836185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! With my first, I was only able to EBF till 6 months, and supplemented till 9 months when I totally dried up. So many factors I feel like contributed to my low supply.</p> <p>With my second, I think my supply was better, I was armed with more information, I had less pain, I was more active in trying to up my milk supply and also to build a stash early on. I think I also wasn't as stressed about it which may have helped to have more! I took specific supplements this time around that I've recommended to other bees, and I used that hakka pump in the early days to help build up a stash. </p>