Solid foods and boobs...yes, i said boobs...

[Little toes]

Ok, I really don't know how to start LO on cereal -solids. She's 5.5mo and if for example I bf 7am, then a few hrs later i give her a few teaspoons of cereal, if she takes it, will that mean i don't bf againg for a couple hours after that?? Or do i still try to bf with her solid feed?  Concerned it'll be too long between bf and i'm worried i'll get sore...Do i need to pump in between? Advice pls & thanks!!

[-kgmf123-]

Hello,

I am just in the process of weaning my 6 months old. I bf at all the usual times approx every 3-4 hrs but I offer solids about an hour after a bf. It hasn't affected his bf requirements.
At the moment he has solids at breakfast time and just after his 6:30pm feed.

Milk should be his primary requirement up to about a year.

Good luck! xx

[First Time Mom]

Yes, I totally agree with PP. Most offer the solid food an hour after bfing, I actually offer the solids 30 min after the bf as I have found ds had really cut down his bfing at first.

In the beginning, offer only a tiny amount- like a spoonful. They need to get used to tastes and textures. Gradually build up the quantity. My ds is now 8 months and will take the equivalent of 1/2 to 1 size of baby jar (if I were to put it into a jar). I know some that eat much more and some that eat less. Offer one new food every 3 days, to make sure there is no reaction. Start with one meal- breakfast, you can add a second meal in week 2 and a 3rd in week 3. You don't have to though- really take their cues for eating. My ds is now on 2 meals.

[Texomamama]

Also agree with pp's.  Solids are just for fun and experimentation at this point.  Follow your same routine for bf and just fit in the solids 30-60 minutes after.  I think someone recently described it as solids being part of their "Activity" time for the little one.  I think that is a good way to think about it.

[Little toes]

Thanks for clearing it up for me!! I also wanted to ask how long should I be giving solids-cereal after meals? When does that itself progress into a meal? I know everyone's different, but I'd like a basic timeline...

[First Time Mom]

I think most moms offer solids around an hour after bfing. I have always offered solids 30 min after bfing (with both my dd and now my ds) because I found that both of them cut back on their next bfing session if I offered solids later.

In terms of when to replace a bfing session with a solid meal it's up to you- with my dd I always let her take the lead for dropping a bf. Keep in mind up to 12 months their main nutritional needs should be met with bfing (or formula for ff los) and after 12 months the majority should be solids. From what I remember, dd had 4 bfs up until 12 months and then 3 bfs after 12 months. She replaced the 11am and the 3pm feeds with a solids snack first, before dropping the breakfast and dinner bf.

[Little toes]

Thanks for the replies!!!