Breastfeeding & Starting Solids

[Lauren's Mom]

Our pediatrician recommended that we start our LO on rice cereal. She's 4 months and exclusively breastfed. Any tips on how to do this w/o sacrificing my milk supply? How long do we do cereal before trying something else? He wants her to have tried a lot of different foods by her 6-month appointment.

[Samuel's mum]

I have to say I agree with the PP in content and spirit! I would certainly ask why they are going against current medical research and thinking. They may have some reason!? Exclusively breastfed babies really do benefit from waiting.

[Mason's Mommy]

We just had our 4 month check up and our Dr said to wait until 6 months to even start cereal and then to take it very slow, starting with just a tbsp a day.  She did cite recent studies that show that BF babies do better continuing with the breast milk as long as possible.  Maybe your Dr thinks you are using formula?

Hope this helps!

Laurie

[Lauren's Mom]

Now I'm really worried. DD already sleeps through the night. I told DH that if she has the slightest problem from this that we will wait. He just wants to do what the doctor said.

Laurie - I think Lauren and Mason were born on the same day, Dec. 3.

[Samuel's mum]

I would honestly suggest getting a second opinion. Show your DH this from the AAP (American academy of pediatrics - this is a conservative organisation which bases their recommendations on medical research.)

Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth.100 Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified infant formula.101 Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet.102,103

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b100/6/1035

 Some doctors do recommend early solids for specific medical conditions. A normal healthy ebf baby should not be starting at 4 months.

This is from kellymom.com

Why Delay Solids?
Reasons for delaying solids
Additional information
References
Health experts and breastfeeding experts agree that it's best to wait until your baby is around six months old before offering solid foods. There has been a large amount of research on this in the recent past, and most health organizations have updated their recommendations to agree with current research. Unfortunately, many health care providers are not up to date in what they're telling parents, and many, many books are not up to date.

The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 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

On the kellymom site you can click on the name of each organisation and find out why.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

I'm sorry to say that it sounds as though your doctor is not keeping up to date with his reading - the simple truth.

[Samuel's mum]

If you've already started - don't panic. It isn't the end of the world. However I would consider stopping if I were you or remaining at one small meal of cereal if you feel daft stopping. The breastmilk is still the vast vast majority of her nutrition.

[Mason's Mommy]

Lauren and Mason do indeed share a birthday!  He was born at 9:15 PM in Evanston Hospital, near Chicago.  It was snowing...  9 lb, 9oz.  He is 17.5 lbs now and all full of cute rolls!

I hate to be pushy, but I would have your husband do his own research before just following doctor's orders.  If he has such a strong opinion about it, I would expect him to at least be well informed.  Does your doctor have some reason why he wants your child to have solids now?  I am sure it won't be the end of the world if you continue down this path, but there really is not a good reason to change what was working well either.

Remember, you are the mom and most likely to know what is right for your child.  Follow your instinct and listen to the signals your LO is sending.  Who knew this parenting thing would be so challenging? 

Best,

Laurie (short for Lauren!)