Confused about recent articles about breastfeeding and solids??

[atomic sagebrush]

Some recent articles were claiming that it may not be a good idea to wait for 6 months to introduce solids - here is an excellent piece refuting that claim.

http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk...nd-todays.html

[BoyDreaming]

I exclusively BF DD3. At about 4 months, breast milk was just not enough for her, she was sitting up (with little assistance), reaching for food, all of the usual signs of a baby being ready. I wanted to wait until 6 months or longer to introduce solids, but I followed her lead and I don't regret it. She seemed much happier and satisfied afterwards and continued to nurse very, very well. I never had any supply issues, but I also pumped to ensure my supply stayed up.

ETA: She never received formula during her first year, even after the introduction of solids.

[atomic sagebrush]

That was actually my experience too - DS 1 didn't want solids until later and is still quite a picky eater, but my other three were grabbing food off our plates at 4-5 months old and they nursed just as much as ever along with the solids.

I think the issue is, some people are actually worried that they HAVE to give their kids solids, but you don't have to if you don't want. If you want to wait until 6 months, it's ok, and if you don't want to wait, that's ok too!!

[BoyDreaming]

That was actually my experience too - DS 1 didn't want solids until later and is still quite a picky eater, but my other three were grabbing food off our plates at 4-5 months old and they nursed just as much as ever along with the solids.

I think the issue is, some people are actually worried that they HAVE to give their kids solids, but you don't have to if you don't want. If you want to wait until 6 months, it's ok, and if you don't want to wait, that's ok too!!

Exactly! I've always followed my baby's lead and it seems to work quite well. I plan on doing the same with this one also. However, I will be coming back to work after this one is born, so I will have difficulties ensuring my mom and grandmother stay on track with my wishes. My grandmother comes from a generation that began giving their babies cereal in their milk at 6 weeks, sometimes younger, so she's a hard one to convince.

[december]

DS 1 didn't want solids until later and is still quite a picky eater

It's the opposite over here. I waited until 6 months and to be honest didn't get into a regular habit of solid foods until closer to 8-9 months. Now, he'll eat anything if I "prepare" it right. (Green beans aren't a big hit plain... they need a bit of garlic or maybe basil. That kind of thing.)

[purplepoet20]

With my first son he was grabbing food from my plate at 3mths so we just let him. He ended up weaning himself around 9mths and I couldn't get my supply up. Now he is a very picky eater and a little under weight. With my second I wanted to let him decide and he refused food until he was 10mths. He still nurses about 6 times a day. He loves to eat veggies and fruits. No matter what you give him he eats it.

I think waiting is better for breastfeeding moms because the milk supply stays up. Formula moms can add food but even then formula has a lot in it.

I saw once that back before "Gerber" started babies were 90% breastfed until 12-18mths. When jarred food and forumla started they started to see a slight increase in over weight kids, now they have baby/toddler snacks and in the last 10 years 70-90% are over weight kids.

I believe fruits and veggies should be served natural and at every meal to teach healthy eating. As they get older I would like them to be used to butter/salt free foods so far it is working.

[indigoviolet]

Thanks for this link. I exclusively bf both boys til 6 months and it was just when ds2 turned 6months the new research came out and I immediately thought I'd done it wrong! Really glad I kept up the bf now though especially after reading that article. Thanks K.

[gossie]

Thank you, this link is so helpful! My pediatrician recently talked to me about this and basically said, forget everything we told you with DS1. He still recommends waiting until 6 months to start solids but no longer gives guidelines as far as waiting on potential allergens.

I pretty much do my own thing anyway so what my pediatrician tells me doesn't necessarily have much bearing on what we practice at home, but I am always curious to read and research his ideas. Had just started looking into this one and was totally confused.

[nicnee1976]

It's all a load of rubbish. Each baby is different with different appetites. DS1 was 21lb at 4 months, way heavier than the average 6 month old and was having a 9oz bottle and a breast feed at some feeds and still feeding every couple of hours. I introduced baby rice only at 17 weeks and gradually built on it, taking weaning very slowly until he was 6 months. He was a much happier baby for it.
DS2 was having six 9oz bottles a day at 4 months (I couldn't breast feed him) and my HV said it was too much fluid for his little kidneys to manage and suggested I started baby rice.
DS3 was my biggest baby, but I managed a little longer on milk alone with him, until about 4 and a half months, then he started taking way too much fluid too.
My boys are all big strapping lads, very tall and DS1 and DS3 were heavy too. Each baby is a different build with different appetites. I truly believe you have to follow you baby's lead, and as my HV said, too much milk is too large a strain on their kidneys.

[grasshopper]

With DD#1 I tried to do the "right" thing and wait 6 months before introducing solids but she was well and truly ready by 5 months, ahead with her milestones and getting annoyed at watching us eat...I resisted for a little bit but finally just realised it was time. She was exclusively breast fed and getting plenty. I tried the purees etc for a while but she really just wanted some food to hold in her hand and chomp on.
DD#2 was ready for solids maybe a week after DD#1 had been...she was also exculsively breast fed and this I didn't even bother with purees. Just steamed vegies (both my girls loved chasing peas around the table...great for fine motor skills too), soft fruits and some pre-chewed (gross I know) meat or a solid bone for her to chomp on. Never had any fussiness from either and funnily enough no choking incidents (did do the odd gag though which they always sorted out themselves).

Guidelines are fantastic and necessary...we have lost touch with our instinctual parenting skills and I think these guidelines are there to give us an idea of things when we aren't trusting our own internal dialogue. I honestly think in western cultures that we put too much faith in other people's knowledge when it somes to raising our own children...trust yourself...trust that you know your baby and will do what is right for them. Our babies tell us far more than we realise and the sooner we all learn to read their cues, the better attached/happier families we will be. Kids are a big learning curve hey.