OT - Confused about solids and BF

[AliP]

Isabel has been on solids for 10 days now and she seems to be really loving it. Unfortunately she seems to have lost interest in one of her day feeds (either the mid morning or mid afternoon one). I'm feeling upset about it as I love b/f her but during the day she seems disinterested.

So is this what I should expect now that she is eating some solids?

Also the clinic sister told me to feed her solids before b/f (because I started her "late") but I feel that maybe I should still be b/f her first.

I'm so confused... it's like having a newborn again - so many different opinions being thrust your way

[Bek]

late??? she's only 6mths!!!

generally speaking, breastmilk is still the most important source of nutrition for a baby until 12mths. offering a breastfeed first ensures they're not just filling up on solids. solid foods at this stage are more about learning about tastes and textures and stuff, rather than as a source of nutrition, hence the need for getting plenty of breastmilk still.

aba has a booklet about introducing solids that you might find useful ($5.50 from www.mothersdirect.com.au), and i think there's an article on the website too - www.breastfeeding.asn.au

[Kris]

Ellie didn't even start eating anything apart from occasional tastes until she was 12months- so 6 months is definitely not late!

[Jamie]

I agree with Bek.

[johT]

what bec said.
solids should not replace breastmilk! if she is having less feeds, cut back the solids.
solids at that age (before 12 months) are not for nutritional value for brea$tfed babies, only for 'exploration,tastes', etc.
the rec. age for starting solids is 6 months, very rarely is it a good idea to give them before then - it increases the chances of allergies, food intolerances,etc.

Originally Posted by aliP

Also the clinic sister told me to feed her solids before b/f (because I started her "late") but I feel that maybe I should still be b/f her first.

Very old fashioned advice, maybe for formula fed babies!
some people shouldn't give advice imo
you 'can' feed solids first after a while - but i wouldn't when you are just starting! give bub's gut a chance to get used to it - start slowly

[staress]

Give the BF before solids. I did this until about 8-9 months & i still give Alex a BF before breakfast as i like that extra 20 mins in bed!!! Lunch & Dinner i give the BF after solids now plus i also give him a BF after his afternoon nap & then maybe some fruit or some other type of finger food snack.

Sheesh...i can't believe the clinic said 6 months is late!!!!! It's only what the WHO recommends!!!!

Jo.

[Fimail]

We had this problem a month or 6 weeks or so ago. How I remedied the reluctance to feed was:

1. offer breastmilk first
2. offer breastmilk after baby wakes from sleeps if she is too active to feed later on
3. offer solids only after a feed and no snacks in between solid feeds
4. don't offer extra drinks (water/juice) in between feeds - offer some water with the solids but not all day

I found the info at http://www.kellmom.com to be very helpful as it is more acessible than the ABA info (ie you don't have to buy a booklet - the info is there as soon as you need it).

Good luck - consider again the baby-led approach I posted about as this is meant to avoid solids replacing feeds.

Fiona

[AliP]

Thank you! Your posts have made me feel much better. Isabel was the latest of everyone I know to start solids (she was 6.5 months)... everyone else seems to start at 4 or 5 months. I don't know why.

The sister has been really supportive of me starting "late" (LOL it doesn't feel late to me), but last time she was weighed apparently she hadn't put on any weight in 3 weeks. I find it hard to believe as she is thriving, but perhaps it's because in the last month she has got so active - wriggling around the floor and in bed.

So I'm going to b/f first and then give her a little finger food after the b/f and see how that goes.

[Karena]

SOunds like you are on the right track Ali, by giving b/f first then solids. Her not gaining much weight could definately be because of her activity.

[Ying]

Sorry to hijack your thread Ali, but I'm wondering where I can get information about formula fed baby and solids? Somewhere that doesn't get sponsored by formula companies I just need facts.

Becky sometimes has formula before solids because she's just not very interested in solids and chasing after her to feed is tiring (she's also not keen on finger food).But of course all nurses tell me to offer solids before formula at this age. I'm not sure what I should do.