Introducing solids to a breastfed baby.

ladybug · #1 (**permalink**) 28-09-08, 21:41

Weaning a breastfed baby is different to weaning a formula fed baby. I'm starting this thread just to inform folks.

Human milk is recommended as the primary food for the baby's first year. Since solid foods displace human milk in a baby's diet, suggest the mother breastfeed first, before offering solids, until the baby is nine to twelve months old. She can gradually increase the amount of solids she offers her baby.

In one study, researchers observed one hundred and forty-one mother baby couples. The mothers exclusively breastfed their babies until solid foods were introduced at no earlier than four months of age. They found that the energy value of the human milk the baby consumed when he was exclusively breastfeeding matched closely combined energy value of human milk plus solid foods he took later. The researchers concluded that, rather than increasing the intake of calories when solid foods were started, the babies balanced their mother's milk and solid foods intake to maintain a stable intake of calories. The volume of the mother's milk dropped when solids were introduced.

By breastfeeding the baby before offering solids until he is about a year old, the mother can be sure that he is receiving the milk he needs for growth. At one year of age, it is appropriate to offer solids first.

If solids are introduced too quickly and replace many nursings during the baby's first year, he may not get enough fluids, causing constipation. In the breastfeeding baby, constipation means hard, dry stools. Going for several days without a bowel movement or straining while passing a bowel movement are within the range of normal behaviour and are not considered signs of constipation. If other fluids, such as juice or water, are given instead of human milk or formula the baby may not have his nutritional needs met.

If the baby is constipated, suggest the mother nurse her baby more often. When the baby is nursing more, he will have softer stools.

From The Breastfeeding Answer Book published by La Leche League International. Pg 51

rachaelmae · #2 (**permalink**) 28-09-08, 21:46

cheers for that LB, my hv make Livvy sound like shes the only child ever to not want solids

she keeps banging on about "a window of oppurtunity" between 6-8months for los to learn to eat......

I told her that Livvy had well and truely missed that boat and did it mean i would be breast feeding for the next 20years....

youve made me feel loads better about the whole thing, thankyou me dear

xxxxxxx

ladybug · #3 (**permalink**) 28-09-08, 21:57

Ellie or Abbie can you change the title to 'Introducing solids to a breastfed baby' as weaning suggests stopping bf.. ta xxx

Ellie H · #4 (**permalink**) 28-09-08, 21:58

Done.

xxxxx

noababy · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-08, 06:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybug

From The Breastfeeding Answer Book published by La Leche League International. Pg 51

Ahhhh-so this is your bible-now I understand

... I know I have mentioned in the past on one of the posts that as a bf consultant you (general you for people dealing with bf, not you LB) have to be careful how your enthusiasm for bf comes across. In my personal experience, i have found the consultants and bf mums who were affiliated with laleche, were a lot more (for lack of a better word and this is not an insult towards you LB), pushy and righteous about bf than consultants who were not. I know that for those who believe bf is very important , they kind of see it as a life mission to help people and bring them along to seeing the benefits and joys of bf, but sometimes I personally feel it can go overboard. (like any fanatisicm-sp? really) I also don't believe that there is any completely right answer for anything in this world, and maybe all lelche people are not like that, but I have found the ones I know to be a bit black and white about things and unwielding. Just wanted to point that out to you lb as food for thought. Muwahhh!

ladybug · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-08, 07:31

I think that the more I learn, Susie, the more horrified I am by formula...

A lot of the work done in the world to encourage bf is more because of poor water supplies and not being able to sterilise properly.

Try and find out more, Susie... you'll be droopin your nips over Noa before you can blink

LittleMissMe · #7 (**permalink**) 29-09-08, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybug

Try and find out more, Susie... you'll be droopin your nips over Noa before you can blink

PMSL!

I know I'm being slow here but did that article mean at each individual meal time when you want to give your baby solids give them a BF first then immediatley (or shortly after) offer them some solids? Or does it mean no solids at all till 9-12 months?