6 month old. Refusing to Breastfeed!!!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

So glad to hear things are going better!!!!

Keep in mind when reading Tracy's books that she wrote them awhile ago and some of the recommendations regarding breastfeeding are not as up-to-date -guidelines always change, and she likely would have updated her books, if she could have.

Breastmilk/formula should definitely be the priority over solids in the first year.  However, in some countries, recommendations are often to switch the order up a bit - solids first.  We usually suggest breast first to avoid the risk of filling up on solids and not wanting enough milk - however, as solids tend to increase as you head towards a year old, and schedules can change, you might find that it gets mixed up a bit.  Often when mothers are trying to wean, they might do a solid breakfast first to break up the routine a bit - it's really more up to you, as long as you're getting the milk in!

As for starting other foods, like meats, again recommendations change between countries - I know here in Canada, if you start cereal around 6 months, then you should get to meat by 7 or 8 months old.  You can also check the solids board for some info on that.  After 6 months, though, most foods are fair game except if their allergenic (egg whites, shellfish, nuts...). HTH!

[Samuel's mum]

Really glad to hear he's been feeding well! Yay!

And also glad to hear you'll be seeing another doctor (and a bit relieved because I thought I might annoy you a bit by speaking out of line!)

As for the solids first thing - I think you'll find most current advice (and the practise of people on these boards) is to put milk first until at least around 8/9 months. And some put milk first for longer (up to 12 months).
This is among formula feeding mummies and breastfeeding. It's just too hard otherwise to preserve the milk intake and make sure they are getting enough.
With breastfeeding it's particularly crucial because if you 'get it wrong' and milk intake does decrease, a mother's supply might start to slide due to lack of stimulation. It might not be there when it's needed and there could be longer-term problems.
I guess 'when they get the hang of things' is up to interpretation. But bear in mind many of us start one meal of rice cereal at 6 months so it could take 2 or 3 months to get established on 3 meals. Anyway - combining Tracy's advice with other information - milk first, solids second. If an older baby is really not showing interest in solids then you may juggle around or leave a gap but in your situation, at 6 months, milk first for sure.

HTH