[szczepanski]

So Nolan is 4 months old and we had his pedi appointment this morning. His pedi did this long spiel on solids and how to introduce them, when to introduce them, etc. I am exclusively nursing Nolan and we are doing just fine with breast milk. He nurses a normal amount, averaging 3-4 hours maybe 5 hours if he is distracted. He nurses off one side, rarely does he want the other side. I feel really strongly about continuing to nurse him exclusively until at least 6 months and then introducing solids when he is old enough to sit at the table with us and have some of what we are eating. I'm beginning to feel like I am really stupid to feel this way...and I'm struggling to find information on WHY it is okay to do it this way (besides on kellymom or places that just site the AAPA and WHO recommending 6 months of EBF). Sooo anyone have any advice, information, etc.?

Also...as further proof that I make amazing milk and Nolan is perfectly fine nursing exclusively....he was born at 7.14 lbs and 21 inches...today he weighed in at 18.6 lbs and 27.5 inches.

[**jessie**]

If you want to wait 6 months, then it's fine. But it really doesn't hurt to start a bit of solids to get him used to them. It won't decrease bf'ing at all at the very beginning. We started at 5 months with homemade purees once a day. Just a teaspoon or two. If you want to wait until you can do table foods, you will have to wait much longer. Jaxon is over 9 months and while he can have small amounts of table foods (zweiback toast, small pieces bread, small pieces cut up soft fruit), he is no where ready to take in all 3 meals of solids, (including meat which is very important in bf babies) as table foods. But I know each baby is different and maybe Nolan will be ready at 6 months.

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

I started Landen on rice cereal at 4 months then purees at 5 months. He didn't nurse any less then normal and he really loved the purees. I didn't start table foods until after a year because he had no teeth lol! I think its just best to do what you feel is best for your own baby.

[Nami]

I FF but was told to hold off on solids for a while, we'll see next week just how long. Though the only reason for that is Alissa is a month behind in development and doesn't even weight 12lds so our nurse doesn't think she's ready just yet. I always thought for BF babies you can hold off until 6 months, that's what it said in the bookie I was sent home with from the hospital.

[~*Bethy*~]

Ian I started early only because formula wasnt enough. Morgan didnt get solids till she was about 7 or 8 months!! I think you have an awesome plan and routine going, stick with what YOU FEEL as a mother, is the best for your child

[bittersweet]

I agree with what is said here. Whether you start some soilds now or later..I don't think it will make a difference in his overall health. One thing to consider is his iron stores. I've read that EBF babies may need an additional source of iron past 6 months. Not to say Nolan does..but just something to think about.

[Babybear4]

We just followed Lorena's cues. She wasn't ready for solids until about 5 1/2 months and even then it was maybe 1 or 2 bites of cereal mixed with BM. SHe didn't start eating 3 meals a day until about 10 months, because she was perfectly content with BM. Every baby is different, and you know your baby best, so I would say to just follow his cues.

[**Jenn**]

You don't need articles and studies to back up what you feel is the right thing to do with your own child. Liam started getting solids at 4 1/2 months--he wasn't really ready, and only took maybe a spoonful or two for several weeks. Lochy started at 6 months about but food was hit or miss until he was 7-8 months old. After that, watch out, the kid's name wasn't "Landfill" for nothing! LOL Just follow Nolan's cues, he'll let you know when he's ready. I won't start Lila with solids until she's at least 6 months old and that is if she seems like she's ready. Honestly, he really only needs breastmilk for the first year, solids is just a supplemental thing and to get him used to textures. Do what you feel is best and don't let others dictate that for you.

When my pedi would suggest things I didn't necessarily agree with I'd just nod my head, say "OK", and just continue doing what i was doing.

[Resi]

I waited until Oliver was 6 months old. I did it very slowly and didn't give him solids every day to start. I wasn't worried about it because I knew he was fine getting only BM. Do what you feel is best and don't worry about it! Nolan is a thriving on your BM as you know.

[fromGirltoMommy]

Do not doubt yourself!! You are doing an AMAZING thing for Nolan!!! Pushing to start solids later is NOT going to hurt him. In fact in my eyes its soooooo much better. I WISH so badly that I could have held off, but I couldnt. She wasnt gaining I had to try something (besides formula!)

DONT DOUBT YOURSELF!! If you do, text me!! Ill tell you how my nephew gets rice ceral and HATESSSSS it. At least Kenni actually LOVEDDD it. Nolan doesnt need it. Your doing just fine!

In fact pat yourself on your back for growing such a healthy boy

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

We EBF until yesterday, when she was 6 months old, we let her chew on some brocolli. I'm skipping cereal and purees and just letting her eat what we have. I really didn't want to give her any yesterday b/c I want her to be my baby forever, haha. But DH wanted to and she's been showing every sign of wanting food so I 'gave in' and let her be a big girl! haha.

If you feel like waiting til 6 months - do it! If you want to skip cereal - do it!

[Adriana's Mommy]

I agree with what's been mentioned.. You will notice when your baby is ready.. I waited until A.J was 6 months old to start solids.. Only because he had (at the time) severe eczema.. Wanted to be safe and not cause any allergic reactions.. Now he's 8 months old and HAS to eat solids.. This boy can eat and he'll tell you when he wants some. lol But he's not a big baby nor is he small.. I think he's a tad bit smaller then Nolan.. But my man has been sick a few times (was hospitalized), if it wasn't for that, I bet he'd be a chunky monkey..

[Mars]

Ditto to the above.

I waited until 6 months before I introduced solids. Amara only had breastmilk for the fist 6 months.

[soImarriedAnerd]

*disclaimer-- I don't think that anyone who doesn't different is doing something wrong or dangerous I merly am a like minded mama who has some support*


don't feel stupid for waiting if anything your in the current "right" way of thinking
ALL of the below Medical groups say EBF till NO earlier than 6 months:
* World Health Organization
* UNICEF
* US Department of Health & Human Services
* American Academy of Pediatrics
* American Academy of Family Physicians
* American Dietetic Association
* Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
* Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
* Health Canada

And for many reasons to wait over 6 months-
-less illnesses
-stronger digestive system (also EBF babies tolerate table foods faster since they have been getting the flavors from you!)
-decrease risk of food allergies (some evidence shows waiting longer than 9 months gives an increase again so the window seems to be 6-9months)
-waiting on solids decrease the chance of future obesity issues (this was one of the bigger ones for me)
-More likely to keep AF away! HAHAHA One of my favorites But the less you nurse when you start solids the more chance AF/Pregnancy can return (now with that said when I started london I think he nursed MORE!)
-not sure how long you plan to BF but delaying solids keeps your milk supply up there so your more likely to be able to BF longer

My personal choice was EBF till 7 months then very slowly introduce table foods (but not doing the "bland" foods, like EBFing he ate what I ate, I'm talking Indian food, Thai food, And heck he got octopus last week ). No other liquids besides BM till he is 1 yrs (I'm actually hoping for 15 months!), he has gotten a few sips of water while out so I didn't have to nurse while eating my food though, not more and 1-2 oz though. One "problem" I see is that when you start solids young or to fast is that they don't have BM (or formula) as there NUMBER ONE source of food for that first year....which EVERY SINGLE medical group I know says it should be. I think we parents get so excited about the eating part that we rush (not just age to start but how much in one day). London is just starting to get snacks AND one meal a day of solids. Its VERY hard to not just give more and more fast---because it is so fun watching them explore food.

[szczepanski]

Thanks guys!!!!

I agree Angela, it seems like the rush for solids means the emphasis is off of the fact that BM or formula should still be their main source of nutrition. My pedi was going on an on by how at 9 months he should have a "well rounded diet of 2 snack and 2 meals a day" and I was staring at him, nodding my head thinking to myself..."Umm....no?". He's very pro-breastfeeding but after discussing it with him, I don't think he has had much experience with a mom who nurses after 3 months, let alone exclusively to 6 months or to a year. He was excited when I told him I plan to let Nolan self wean, but he followed it up with "You'll get a medal if you make it to a year.....out of 60-70 babies born a year at this practice, maybe only 3 or 4 will still be getting breast milk at a year old". Soooo I think I will just have to keep telling him that I don't see the point of "solids" that are all mashed up. It seems pointless to me to feed him purees when he gets no nutritional value from it.