SAD mother's milk making baby "fat"?

[Autumn]

My sister-in-law (who eats a SAD diet) breastfeeds my 4th month old nephew. The baby is rather "large", or so they tell me (I live 1100 miles away). At exactly 4 months, he is nearly 28 inches long and 25lbs.

My father suggested to my sister-in-law that she stop breastfeeding and switch to formula in order to gauge the amount of calories the baby is getting. I was furious when my father told me this. I asked him why on earth he would suggest such a thing. He said obviously the baby was nursing too much or too often and perhaps the formula would better satisfy his appetite and he would be content with less. I thought this was ridiculous and told him in no uncertain terms to BUTT OUT.

However, even though I believe it to be true, I am interested in other's opinions of whether SAD mother's milk is more nutritious than formula?

BTW, although my SIL is not interested in changing her diet at present, I told her of all the wonderful RAW baby food she could make Matthew when he is old enough for solids. She seemed very interested.

[RawTruth]

Yes, it absolutely is better than formula. It's the beyond doubt best thing for them -- regardless of their mother's diet. There is just tons of evidence on that.

Nursing babies being "fat" is a misperception on the part of adults. They don't nurse "too much" - they nurse whatever's right for them. I'm so sorry that a 4 month old's weight is being evaluted. Some babies are roly-poly and some aren't. But ... most breastfed babies I've known (my own included) are round and well formed.

[rawpriestess]

Breast milk is always better than formula, as far as I am concerned.

And whether a baby is fat or plump or skinny means nothing later on.

My son was born 4 weeks early, he lost almost a pound within 2 weeks of birth, he was just at 5 pounds then and the doctors said he would always be slight, small, underweight, and probably not too bright.

Well, he is 37, 6'3" tall, weighs about 250, big broad shoulders, and has an IQ of 159 when tested in junior high school. so the doctors were wrong (as usual)

And he was a skinny skinny baby.

[vegggeeemom]

I agree with previous posters, her bm is so much better for that baby than formula is! No doubt about it!
My son who is 11 months (almost a year-went too quick!) is excusively breastfed, he gets banana and avacado from time to time, but not on a regular daily basis and he is definitely roly poly! I was not eating the best part of the time I was bf him, but he is definitely so much healthier than a formula fed baby.
Yes, it is so sad that a 4 month olds babys weight is being evaluated. How unfortunate for that little one. He won't nurse to the point of being stuffed! And the best part of bf a baby, there's not the spit up there is with formula. That tells you something!
I hope you can be a voice for that little one and hope your sister listens to you!

Pam

[truthseeker]

YES....YES....YES...AND....YES....!!! Even though mom is SAD she is giving "real food" with antibodies and MUCH , MUCH more than formula could EVER offer. Babies DO only take what they need, weather it's to be used up by their bodies now....or stored for later. When that baby starts to crawl and walk you will be amazed at how much he "slims" down. He will be "to busy" to nurse as much. When I see a pudgy breastfeed baby I smile with delight and a warm heart at the nurture and fulfillment his/her mom has given him.

CALORIES!!!!! Oh my, just remember the whole thing about raw natural food....you can eat all you want, there's is no counting calories, not with an adult's raw diet and especially not with a baby's raw breastmilk diet.....even if mom is SAD.

Pat your sister on the back and let her know what an awsome thing she is doing for her son. She will soak up your encouragement and maybe...just maybe look at your diet a bit differenly. ;)

[Autumn]

*sigh* Thanks for all the support and experiences. Unfortunately, they started him on formula because they think it will be an easier transition when he goes to daycare in November. Of course, since I have no children, nobody in my family takes my opinion very seriously. :(

[RawMomma]

I have a 3 month old baby and I am about 75% raw. I breastfeed and my son is approx. 20 lbs. and about 27 in. tall. So raw or SAD you can have big babies on breastmilk. At his 2 month check up he was over the 100th percentile for weight and 90th for height. Our doctor was not concerned at all. For the first two months he gained over a pound a week.

[Autumn]

RawMomma,
Thanks for your response. I'm glad your doctor didn't make you feel that your baby was too big, just a naturally growing, healthy baby. :D Best of luck to you. :D