http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/infantfeeding/WHO_NHD_00.1/en/index.html – see page 10 + 11

Breastmilk does not provide complete nutrition for the second six months of life. I am all for full term breastfeeding (I am still feeding my 18 month old), but I think it is fair to point out that the energy gap between what a baby needs and what breastmilk can provide gets wider from about 6 months.

There are other important nutrients which are also needed – iron stores from birth run out at around six months, so it’s important for babies to get some iron from other foods.

While I think that many doctors are ill informed and try to bully us into pushing solids before the baby is really ready, it’s important for parents to be informed of the facts, so they can make an informed decision.

Baby who resisted rice cereal (Photo by LizaWasHere)

As I replied in the comments section:

“In general I agree that it’s a good idea to start solids around 6 months of age and I certainly believe every mother should do her own research and consult a doctor for medical advice.

When a baby resists solid food and/or has a family history of allergies or shows signs of severe and numerous food allergies, some mothers choose to rely on breast milk for the baby’s sole (if not “complete”) source of nutrition. Kellymom.com says: “Some babies are exclusively breastfed for a year (and occasionally up to two years) with no problems at all. In addition, some doctors recommend that babies with a high risk for allergies be exclusively breastfed for a year.”

Kellymom also notes: “The current research indicates that a baby’s iron stores should last between six and twelve months, depending upon the baby.” Your comment implies that there is no iron in breast milk, although perhaps that is not what you intended. The good news on iron is that “up to 50% of the iron in human milk can be absorbed by the infant, as compared to 10% in cow’s milk, and 4% in iron-fortified formulas.” (LLL fact list). Some (many?) babies might need an additional source of iron (from solid food or vitamin supplements) at some point after 6 months, but not all babies will.

The points I hope to make are that parents need not worry quite as much as some seem to about getting solids into a baby, that breast milk continues to provide the bulk of nutrition, that it’s not always a good idea to push solid food when the baby resists or has allergies, and that there is anecdotal evidence (and perhaps more) that some babies thrive on breast milk alone for up to one year and even beyond.”

Your Thoughts?

Did anyone reading this delay (or stop feeding) solid foods after six months of age? What was your experience and reasoning?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Sixty-four percent of 111 voters said their most recent or only child had only had breast milk and had never had any artificial milk. That left 36% of voters whose child has had at least some artificial milk at some point. Here is the complete breakdown:

Special shout-out to the 11 percent of voters who started off supplementing with formula and made a successful transition to exclusive breastfeeding!

Please vote in the new poll!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

“Henry is still exclusively breastfeeding. He hasn’t even tried formula. And I’m amazed at how fast these six months have flown by in the breastfeeding realm. I remember with Kira that exclusively nursing her for six months felt a bit like running a marathon. (I presume, anyhow. No marathon running for me.) But with Henry, overall the nursing has been pretty easy and it hasn’t felt like a strain at all. I feel as if I could keep going exclusively for a lot longer. Probably part of the reason for that is that I have more milk this time around, in addition to the extra experience.

For his sake, I’m glad that he will be able to start eating solid foods. When we are eating, he will watch every single motion that we make. It’s obvious that he wants to eat like us! It’s so obvious that it’s guilt producing. You almost feel like you should apologize because you’re being so selfish with your food. Even so, I’m laughing slightly right now in anticipation of his first taste of solid food. I’m expecting either a grimace or a big look of surprise. We’ve already given him a sippy cup with a small bit of water in it and the look on his face when he tasted the water was priceless. So funny.”

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Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3