Feeding Solids and Nursing, How Much of Each?

My periatrician and the books i've read say that solids are to be an addition not a replacement untill the child is at least a year old. Formula or breast milk should be the staple because it contains all the nutrients the baby needs. At 1 year of age you can introduce whole cows milk and switch to solids as the staple.

At this age the milk is more important than the solids. It is WAY more nutritious. The solids at this point is really just to get him used to eating solids, he gets his main source of nutrients from nursing. I would nurse him first- maybe up to an hour before feeding solids. He probably will end up nursing a little less, but at this point it shouldn't be completely replacing his nursing. If he's still nursing every 3-4 hours on top of his solid feeding, he's doing fine.

J.

Solid foods DO NOT have to replace nursing. My sister nursed her babies until they basically "weaned" themselves off. Sure, around 8 months they were only nursing about 3 times a day and then it decreased to night and morning only, but they absolutely can continue to nurse. The longer you can offer breastmilk the better and they recommend up to 12 months.
Although it is personal preference. I'm sure he is eating fine, as long as he is gaining weight and doing well. He will let you know when he is still hungry or has had enough. :)

I too am the mother of a 6 month old son. We like you are breastfeeding and introduced solids at around 4 months. He gets cereal in the morning and baby food at night. These are not meant to replace breastmilk/formula, they are just meant to get them used to eating things with different textures and tastes for the future. Babies this age are still supposed to be getting most of their nutrition from breastmilk and/or formula. As long as he's still nursing 3-5 times a day I would say your fine with what your feeding him (also,as long as his weight gain isn't excessive, which your doctor should let you know, you ought to be just fine). I have heard that when babies start getting solids they sometimes lose interest in nursing/bottle. If you think that's what is happening then call your ped and see if he has any advice as to what you should do.

WAY TO GO! BREAST IS BEST! If you want to continue nursing, to keep your supply up try nursing before meals. He may not eat as much but most of what he needs is in your milk, you'll know he's getting enough from his diapers. Don't force solids on to him, you have what he needs!

Solids aren't supposed to replace all of the milk he gets. They probably fill his little belly up so that there is no room for milk right then. He will slow down on nursing, but he still needs it. If he can hold a sippy cup, start pumping a little milk to put in it, or maybe even a little juice. This way he can get used to drinking and eating at the same time. He might not be able to do it for a while, but at least he'll aquainted with the concept and it won't be so foreign to him when he is old enough to be weaned onto that cup for good.

All 3 of mine were different when it came to nursing and eating solid foods.. I know this is probably NOT going to sound helpful at all :) but my advise (when it comes to nursing) is to go with your gut..if your little guy isnt wanting to nurse after eating solids, dont force it, just offer... babies are (amazingly) able to know what they need and your body is (also amazingly) able to change what and how much milk it is making to accomodate your baby...good luck!!
M.

if they are thirsty after eating solid, then yes milk. but normally the solid replaces the milk feeding. and it is good that he waits so long in between solid and milk feeding. if you are concerned you can always talk to the pediatrician. good luck

Once you start feeding your child solids, their milk intake will decrease some. That's completely normal. And as someone else already stated, as long as your child continues to gain weight, things are just fine.

I was told it will replace the breastfeeding sessions. So, if he eats solids 2Xs a day, he would eat at the breast at least 2 times less.

I agree as long as he's gaining weight and your pediatrician isn't concerned then go ahead with what you are doing.

Hey N.!
I believe the solids are suppose to replace the milk.Milk gives babies all the nutrients they need and it fills them up.So they usually can't eat solids and have the milk too.I think you are doing a fine job.
C.

Hi N.,
When I introduced solids to my son at 6 months, I did the same thing as Karen S. I would pump to keep my milk supply up. I always nursed first then offered the solids, After 12 months, you can begin offering the solids BEFORE baby nurses, if you wish, instead of after. Your milk is still an important part of baby's diet and will offer him many benefits (nutritionally, immunilogically and emotionally). I was told by a nutritionist, that the first solids you give him is basically "practice eating", figuring out what to do with this thicker consistancy, then on to chewing when they have teeth. you can thicken the food like that gradually their first year. So it isn't to replace the breastmilk nutritionally from what I understand.

Here is a website page that has been the utmost help to me. Hope it helps you too!
www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/index.html

I am introducing solids to my 6 month old too. Your milk suppy actually decreases in the 5-7 month time span. I personally offer him about 2 ounces of cereal. If he wants to nurse afterwards I let him. If he seems content I pump. That way I can keep what milk supply I do have and save it for back up or to add to cereal. It is ok if he doenst want to nurse after eating solids. That is just his way of growing up. lol. After he is on solids for each meal I would just start nursing at bed times. I nurse first thing in the morning, nap time, bed time and mid night. He is very content and he seems to be getting an adequate supply of milk and solids. I hope this helped out some. Good luck

I'm going through the same thing with my 6 month old daughter now. What's worked for me is nursing her about an hour before I feed her solids. She does well with it, but it is a while before she gets hungry again.
I don't think you're giving too much solids because my daughter just refuses to eat if she doesn't want them and I think your son would do that too.
My LC just reminded me the other day that they still don't NEED the solids but they need a good environment to nurse because they get so distracted at this age. Also, since they're older, they nurse more efficiently and get more in one setting so they don't have to nurse as frequently.
It's hard to adjust once you're already so used to one thing. Hope that helps at least a little.