Breastfeeding After Introducing Solids

Since the pediatric guidelines on nutrition are ALWAYS changing, I'd recommend visiting this parenting site from the American Academy of Pediatrics (in addition to talking to your pediatrician about it to verify their thoughts).

Here's the link on what a 6 month old should be getting nutritionally.
http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/baby/f...

Generally, the rule is that they need 24-36 oz of breastmilk/formula each day + solids. At his age, the majority of his nutrition should still be breastmilk, but that will dramatically change as he moves to more and more solids.

Like some of the other posts you should offer the breast before you sit him down for a meal of solids. He should be getting most of his nutrition from breast milk until one year of age. My DD is 16mo and we are just now weaning off the breast. Stick to your BF schedule if you have one and just add in the solids. Even when my DD started to eat three meals a day I was still BF 5-7 times a day. Good luck sounds like you guys are off to a great start!

I nursed my son until he was 3, and until he was 2 I breastfed on demand still, especially in the first year, regardless of his solids intake. Whenever he asks to nurse, allow him, and offer him the breast after meals or shortly after, that is what worked for me! You are doing a great job!

Congrats on your decision to breastfeed! My son is 18 months, and we are sitll nursing. When he was starting solids, I always followed the guideline of nursing him first. We then did solids immediately afterwards, following his cues as to how much he wanted. In this way, he was always filling up on breastmilk, and the solids were more like "dessert." (Which he loved!) Eventually the shift changed to where I wasn't always nursing him first, but it was gradual and just naturally worked itself out.

Since you plan on nursing for a while, you could also consider going to La Leche League meetings for support. I have regularly attended since my son was born, and find it really supportive and informative!
http://www.lllusa.org/IL/WebChicagoIL.html

once solids started with my sons, I quickly went to only 4x/day nursing (no supplementing). they were not interested and they both became interested in solids very quickly. when it was hot in the summer I gave them water too but not much (mostly a sippy cup that was to learn with but was played with more than actually drank out of). before a year they were both down to only three times a day nursing (and then I switched to cow's milk after a year for each). they didn't drink much milk at first either -- maybe 8 to 10 oz./day total. no problems. now they both drink quite a bit more as well as water and just a little juice too.

I breastfed all four of my kids. One to 18 months, three until a year. Breast milk is the best nutition. The children seem to "eat what they need." So, if s/he needs more breast milk, they will come visit more often to nurse. As for pulling away from the breast, it's been my experience that teeth are on the way. The gums get very sensitive and the "suck" needed to nurse, can cause pain on the gums and the child to break away. I hesitate to give medicine, but you might try using Tylenol (not Ibuprofin until they are 1 year old) about half hour befor nursing to relieve the pain on the gums, if that is what you think is going on.

I am currently nursing my 23 month old, and also nursed my older son till he was 29 months.

What I always did was always nurse immediately before feeding them solids. Right now, he doesn't really NEED any nutrition from solids, it is mostly just to learn how to eat. It isn't until closer to his first birthday that he should be getting any significant amount of his nutrition from solids. That being said, I know some babies just really LOVE to eat. My little one now is like that, and he moved away from nursing a little quicker than I liked because he enjoyed food so much (I mean, yes, I am still nursing, but for him at this point it is only linked to sleep time so that is why he continues, but he was nursing less and less often faster than my first). I wouldn't discourage him too much if he seems hungry, but just make sure he gets the breastmilk first. This should fill up his tummy enough that he won't get too over involved in the solids. Also, don't rush the meal times with the solids, feed him a little more slowly, that way the message has time to get from the tummy to the brain that he is full . Babies do become a lot more efficient at this time with nursing, so it is normal that he is nursing for such a short time.

Until your baby is a year old he can get all of his nutrition from breast milk. I breastfed on demand, so I can't really help you will how often/much :) I always nursed before feeding solids though.

I would just follow his cues but keep in mind that food is unimportant, milk is the mos important thing for him. I consider myself a pro since I've been nursing for 4 years and tandem nursing now for 25 months :)
I don't have pumping advice (don't know if you have an outside job as well as an inside one) but I think the same things apply. Offer your breast whenever you are available to nurse. My first was a food lover from her first bite so I felt very concsious of making sure she nursed quite a bit whereas my second could have cared less about food and still doesn't at two. He would prefer to be exclusively bf still :)
good luck and LLL can be so helpful and valuable especially as your baby gets older and is nursing past the "normal" time frame and people start questioning why you are "still" nursing.

Hi N.,
It sounds like there's nothing to worry about here! If your little guy is gaining that well, then you are totally safe just following his lead with how much he has of solids and breast. My second babe breastfed until she was 15 months and she seemed to naturally increase her solids-to-breastmilk ratio as the months went on. I might only suggest that you encourage your efficient eater to nurse longer on each breast so that he is getting some nice hind milk, which comes later in the feeding. He may be going only for the free-flowing and less fatty foremilk and then coming off the breast when things slow down, in which case you can let him take a break and then offer the same breast again. However, it sounds like he is getting plenty of what he needs with those delicious chubby thighs!

Until the first year the "majority" (so more than 50%) of baby's nutrition is from breastmilk. I still nurse my 20 month old daughter 2x/day. Really I stopped pumping for her at 13 months, and she was down to maybe morning/after work/bedtime and once very early in the AM at that point. I nightweaned her around 15 months and she has gradually dropped back.

I would basically plan on nursing whenever it seems convenient and on demand. In general, plan on nursing before you feed him a meal. I also used meals or snacks to start to stretch out the time between nursing my daughter. So when she was only nursing, we might nurse every 3 hours. But if you put a meal in there, maybe it spaces out to every 4 hours instead. does that make sense? Sounds like you're doing great!

You'll want to offer the breast before solids so he would breast feed then an hour or so later he would have his little breakfast. This website has a sample menu that would include breastfeeds. And also great recipes and feeding tips:

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/babymenua.htm

I just weaned my 20 month old and my son nursed till he was 16 months old so it can be very easy and very doable to nurse over a year.

My daughter also became a power nurser and I was worried too but did some reading and found that the time the nurse isn't as important as the after effects-are they satisfied for a reasonable amount of time, are gaining weight, etc.

Hi N.! I've breastfed all three of my kids longterm. My 7 yr old nursed for 24 1/2 months, my 4 1/2 yr old nursed for 2 1/2 yrs (including 11 tandem w/his younger sister), and my daughter will be 3 on 3/8 and is still nursing. All of them were large like your little guy. My boys were off the charts for weight, (my oldest was 43lbs at 16 months) and about 50 - 75th for height (my dd was 75th for weight and 99th for height). My middle son was an exceptionally efficient nurser from birth, only nursing for a max of 15 - 20 minutes; usually more like 5-10mins at a time. My oldest started eating solids at 6 months and LOVED them, my middle son would not eat solids til 12 months, and my daughter started at 7 months with a little bit at a time. My advice for you is to feed him solids as you are doing, and continue to nurse as much as he wants. This will change over time, but go with what he wants and needs. He'll tell you what he needs. Breastfeeding will increase during teething, growth spurts, and illness, and decrease when he's feeling great and learning more things like walking, etc. I'm thrilled hat you want to keep it up. I can honestly tell you that it is well worth it to continue past one year. Feel free to ask me and I'll tell you more. - J.

My son is 20 months old and still nursing 3-5 times each day. He has always been a very efficient nurser and only takes about 5 minutes total each time. I also breastfed my daughter until she self weaned at 31 months. Breast milk needs to be the main source of nutrition for the first year. I only offered solids after my children nursed to ensure that they received plenty of milk. That way they were never too full to nurse and solids were only a supplement. Now, my son still nurses before he eats with the exception of lunch time. It just happens to be the times of day that he wants to nurse (right when he wakes up, mid morning, late afternoon, and before bed are his typical times to breastfeed).

Hi, I nursed my daughter until 2 yrs and my son until 19 months. Solids started at 6 months with both, when they started reaching for food. I never worried about how much solids vs. breast milk. First thing in the morning, I nursed. Then they had breakfast at day care. The day care gave them breastmilk in a sippy cup and a bottle before nap time. Then I nursed at lunch time (on site day care). I think they gave them an afternoon bottle. I would nurse before leaving in the car, after dinner and before bedtime.

They were never given other fluids like juice or water, so breastmilk was the only fluid. It all worked out fine. They grew, they hardly ever got sick, they're both very smart, they were both normal weight. Even now (ages 10 and 7) they hardly ever get sick and are not overweight. I am so glad I was able to nurse them a long time. It really paid off.

My children are 32, 25 and 18 years old. The 25 year old I took off my breast but continued to feed him my breast milk until he was 18 months. My oldest and youngest children were much easier to nurse. They fed directly from my breast until 6 or 8 months. I continued to feed them my breast milk until 18 months. I rented a machine or carried a hand held pump to express milk and freeze if necessary. Expressing my milk was also a very good way of measuring intake. When I weaned them from the breast occaisionally I gave them soy milk until two years, after that nothing. Their nutrition came from solid foods.

I hope this was helpful.

Hi N..
My son is almost 11 months and I still bf. We started solids at 6 months, and by 7 months, he was pretty much eating 3 meals a day. I know you are supposed to offer the breast first, but I was working, so we used the pumped milk for bottles for naptimes. I did not make an oversupply, so we couldn't offer the bottle before meals and at naptime. But I can tell you that my son is a huge eater and still a pretty happy and efficient nurser. Congrats on breastfeeding!

Hi N.,

My daughter was still very much into nursing and not so into solid food when we first started, but she eventually came around. Most of a baby's nutrition comes from breastmilk (or formula) for the first year of life, even after s/he's eating solids. So keep nursing and keep up the good work. You can either develop a routine (before/after naps, before bed, in the morning) or just nurse on demand. My daughter just turned 2 and is still going strong, but it really depends on the child. I would say to keep nursing as long as your son is interested, and at this point, I would keep nursing him 4-6 times per day. Be sure to give him some water at meals if he's not nursing that frequently, sot that he doesn't get dehydrated. Hope that helps!

Best,
R.

Breast is best in the first year so way too go!!! My son breastfed for 2 years and 2 mos. He started solids at 6 months and ate like a champ. He was still a nurser 4x per day (at least). My girls were triplets so they only breastfed for 3 mos because with all the feedings and going it alone (no nanny) I had to figure out how to best manage. So, breastfeeding stopped much earlier than it would have had they been singletons.

I would continue to feed him solids (as long as he is eating well) and nurse him when he wants or needs it. Take your time. Don't worry about a schedule. You will figure it out with him. Each child is different. Some quit breastfeeding early some go a long time. You and he will know what is right.

I nursed my daughter until she was 19 months and I only stopped because I was pregnant again! I know a lot of women nurse throughout a new pregnancy, but I wanted to give my breasts a few months off! My daughter loved nursing. When she was five months old I started her on rice cereal and slowly introduced the other baby foods, like you. When she'd wake up I'd start her with the cereal (mixed with breast milk) and then I'd nurse her if she was still hungry (she always was, I don't think the little guys get much from the solids). Same after lunch and dinner. Then she'd nurse in the middle of the morning before her nap, and again before the afternoon nap and bedtime. By the time she hit 1 year she was only nursing at naps and bedtime. When we stopped, she was only nursing once, before her afternoon nap. That was the hardest to eliminate, but once she stopped she didn't ask for it again. Now I'm nursing my 3 month old and my older daughter will comment that she used to eat like that, but there is no jealousy or anything. Hope this helps!

eating solids now is practice. your breastmilk is his main food. when you give solids you are substituting a superior food (breastmilk) for an inferior one ( solids) make sure you feed the solids after you nurse so he isnt filling up on solids. good luck and keep nursing your baby!!! you wont regret it!!!!! GO MAMA!!!

I started solids at about 5 mos. I breastfed until after 2 yrs. I started out slow, with just one meal a day being solids, then as he seemed hungrier and took to it added in a second, then a third meal. I think we were up to 3 meals a day by 7 mos. I totally went by his cues. I already had a fairly well established nursing schedule. I fed on demand, but he was pretty consistent. I was told to always nurse til he is full first then offer the solids, and let him eat as much as he wants. I was also told to do this about 20-30 minutes later, not any longer, because if you wait too long you will space their nursing sessions further apart and they will be taking less milk. Most of his nutrition should still come from milk, but keep offering a variety of new foods to get his body used to them and to help him develop a taste. You will probably have a couple nursing strikes and dropped milk supply before baby is a year old, that is normal. There are some pretty standard ages and milestones where babies tend to eat less. Just keep offering the breast before food and usually you can get through them just fine. One thing that helped me one time when I had a decreased milk supply was nursing one side, then the other, then back to the first,then back to second side. Just something to keep in mind.

Hi, I actually purposely stopped feeding my daughter at her exact first birthday. I explained to her that I would no longer do so (she was one smart cookie) But Im answering your question becuase i started introducing her to foods like rice cereal at 3 months and stage 1 at about 4 months. I found that she breast feed like the average baby every 1.5 to 2 hrs before I fed her food and that her eagerness to eat all of her "real food" was due to her growth (she was chunky, very solid like you are saying your child is). I think that you should continue to let your son eat at the rate that he is eating becuase solid foods have nutrients that maybe breastmilk dont have especially if you are not getting enough of those nutrients to support your health and the baby's at an optimal level. The body knows what it needs. And babies are pros at the feeding/eating game. Plus babies are people too, just little people so they like a variety of different tastes just like we do. Every meal I fed my daughter I also breastfed her after (kind of like when we eat and drink). So instead of the fear of feeding too much solid foods, when the solid food portion is done you breastfeed until the baby is full. And if you think that your son is hungry and its not the scheduled solid feeding time then breastfeed. I think breastfeeding is the best way to go of course, but after a year it does become difficult becuase the child begins to be more independent and his tastes are changing. My daughter still wanted to breastfeed but I weened her becuase I wanted her to have the enjoyment and the learning experience of figuring out how to eat on her own and to begin the journey of learning to care for herself.
Dont know if this helps but basically I would say to keep the breastfeeding as a part of the meal (solids/breastmilk) that way it will be normal for the child and help them to adjust to eating/drinking normal meals. Then snacks in between feedings can be breast milk and light fruit/veggies but not enough to overpower the milk.
My daughters paternal grandmother breastfeed all her children until they were at the oldest 3 yrs old depending on their preference (she had 5 kids on 2 year stairsteps, so she always had a constant supply of milk!) and she gave me similar advise. Also to let the child decide when enough is enough, she said she didnt have to ween her kids because they did it themselves naturally as they grew older and matured.
Just my two cents.

The majority of his diet should still breast until age 1... sounds like you are doing great with solids and you will continue to add to those - but breastfeed on demand. My kids were not into really into baby food - they started cereal around 6 months and after about 9 months started to eat some of the table food we were eating per our dr. I breastfed my youngest well past her first birthday (until she was 28 months).

Juliana, my 18 month old, got to a stage where she was nursing quicker. She still nursed the same amount of times, she was just doing it faster. I am sure that this is very normal. If you let him nurse as long as he wants to, he will let you know when he is done.
Juliana just weaned herself. I wasn't really ready for it, but she just decided a few weeks ago that she wasn't interested in nursing anymore. Just keep on doing what you are. Let him lead the way!

I nursed both my babies for 2 years each. It sounds like you're doing great! Keep offering the breast, it is still very important, but I think you're right when you noticed that they become very effecient at nursing. Isn't it cool? If everyone would just stick it out for a few months, what great rewards the baby and mom get! So much easier than cleaning bottles, right? Good luck!

They start to get more of their nutrients from food and more comfort from the breastmilk. Don't get me wrong, there is amazing stuff in the BM and keep it going for as long as you both want it. But don't get too worried about the combo. He'll let you know. The food will just get to be more and more important. I nursed my daughter for 25 months. She never missed out on either one and is the healthiest child I've met. Good for you mama wanting to give your baby the best!