[hurricaneranch]

I could use a little BTDT advice here, or even opinions. My older 2 were breastfed to 15 and 19 months, but we started solids at 6 months like the normal population and by a year, breastfeeding was providing maybe a quarter of their nutrition and more for comfort than anything. Fast forward to Coral, who was born 10 weeks early. She will be 9 months old this week and we haven't really given her more than a few tastes of solid food. She's ready for it - she actually enjoys eating little bits of food from our plates - but her digestive system is still extremely immature and she has a terrible time with solid foods, be it baby cereal, baby food, or table food. She's growing like a weed and is healthy as can be on breastmilk alone. I know I've read that babies with allergies can be exclusively breastfed with no solids til a year, but I've also read that by 6 months you should supplement with an iron-fortified cereal because breastmilk doesn't have enough iron it it. I'm confused - do I have to worry about an iron supplement? I think she needs more time to start on solid food (she *should* have been 6 months old on Nov 3rd). She still nurses at least every 2-3 hours during the day and usually 3 times a night but I can't really complain!

[LaLa]

Youre fine without supplementing with Iron, some Peds are old school & believe that but thats actually geared towards FF babies... the formula has to be fortified with iron. And a lot of it since its not easily absorbed, unlike what is found in breastmilk.

Make sure youre getting enough iron, and if you have concerns still, you could have her iron levels tested before supplementing with anything since Iron isnt something you want to supplement with if you dont have to esp since it in and of itself is hard on the digestive track (constipation, etc).

If youre eating well, taking prenatals, etc - you shouldnt have to give any supplements while BFing

Lala...

[andi2284]

I would say, it sounds like she is doing great. You said she is still eating a little bit of solids, which will slowly increase as she tells you she is ready for it. I have been told no supplements are neccesary. For many years, babies were EBF without any supplements, and we've all grown to be completely healthy. Do things are her pace and your own pace and it sounds like you'll be just fine.