Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Breastfeeding and Feeding Solids ?

I have read mixed reviews about feeding solids to an exclusively BF baby.  I wanted to wait till around 6/7 months to start, but my pedi said to start between 5 and 6 months.  Last night I tried feeding him rice cereal mixed with BM for the first time and my DS DEVOURVED it!  He got mad when I stopped.  I was afraid of that. 

Should I wait a little longer since I know he will want to eat a lot?  I'm afraid my supply (which I struggle on and off with) with decrease if he eats solids, and by the looks of it he will want to eat a lot of solids.  I plan on BF for 9-12 months.  We are at almost 6 now.

Oh and how much should I be feeding him?  The instructions on the box SUCK and it was way too watery so I just kept mixing until I got a pasty consistency (thanks KKCG).  We fed him abut 12 baby spoonfuls. 

 Any suggestions or comments welcome.  Thanks!

Re: Breastfeeding and Feeding Solids ?

  • I am not near this phase yet, but can you pump and store BM? That way you can give BM when he starts taking a sippy cup or use the milk to mix with foods. That way you will not lose your supply
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  • I am also nursing and started solids a few weeks ago. My little guys is actually a big guy, so starting cereal has made everyone happier.  I nurse him first because i want his main nutrition to come from me of course. Then about an hour later I feed him cereal.  I just do 1/4 cup of dry cereal and then add an ounce of breast milk and if it is too dry I add just a tiny bit of water and microwave it for 15 seconds in BPA free bowls. I stir it like crazy to get the temp just right and then serve.  He always wants more, but for now Im limiting it to 1/4 cup until six months.  Try taking your time and letting him kind of play and explore with to food and the spoon, hopefully that will allow his brain to process that he is full. 
  • Try bfing before offering solids. Also you control how much solids he'll eat. Start out very gradually. Give maybe 1tb of cereal for a while at a set time. Then start doing fruits/vegies and different combinations. If you're really worried about your supply or if you notice it dropping you may want to wait till 6 months to start the cereal.
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  • it'll be a long time before they are eating enough to want to cut back on nursing. I started cereal at 4.5 months, veggies at 5 months, and nursed until 14 months.
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  • We just had our four month appt. today so we are also a bit behind you. ?My doctor said the first couple months of solids are not about nutrition but about getting the baby used to different textures and tastes on the palate. ?He said i should start feeding before my 6 month appt but even after we start with solids DS should still be eating just as much breast milk.
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  • we started solids this week. 9-12 months is also my BF goal.  I nurse him, then 30-60 mins later I offer some of the cereal.  Like your DC, he devours it.  He loves the cereal esp when  I mixed in some carrot.  I think I give him a couple tablespoons.  Some times he finishes it all, some times he turns his head away from me so I know he's done.  I don't think you need to rush the solids either just because your pedi said it was ok to start early.  6 months is just fine (even rec'd really)

    I would suggest pumping as well to keep supply up.

  • I'm exactly the same as you.  I was in no rush, was planning on waiting past 6 months.  But DS was showing ALL the signs that he is ready.  I think babies are different, and that you know your baby best and if he is developmentally ready.  So I thought we'd give it a try, and if he didn't seem interested, we'd try again after 6 months.  But he devoured the cereal, kept opening his mouth for more.  So we are officially "starting" him.

    We're feeding him one serving a day (about 1/4 cup) rice cereal.  He's eating the whole thing.  I'm mixing it with BM to a much thicker consistancy than the directions say as well.  And it's been 5 days, so tonight we are starting sweet potatoes as well. 

    He's still nursing as much as he was, so solids are in addition to breastmilk, not replacing any for now.  We nurse an hour before he eats.  I also started doing an extra pumping session each day to keep my supply up for now just in case.  Figure it won't hurt to have some extra milk stockpiled anyway. 

  • I am in the same boat as most of these posts.  My baby is showing all the signs now so we are starting solids in the morning actually!  AT 4 months he wasn't ready or showing signs, now he is. 

    www.kellymom.com is a great resource as well as www.wholesomebabyfood.com  I will be taken more approach using there schedule and method. 

     Side note, we are going to start on Sweet Potatoes instead of cereal since BM already contains so many carbs

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