Hi Moms:
My son is 5.5 months old and has started eating rice cereal this week once a day. I would like to exclusively breastfeed until his first birthday, but I want to make sure that I maintain my milk supply in order to do this. Currently, he breatfeeds and then 1 -1.5 hours later he eats cereal. (Obviously the amount of food he consumes will only increase.) I am really worried about losing my milk supply. Any tips on the best way to structure his feedings? Are there any pitfalls that I should be aware? Do you know of any tips or online resources to help with this transition?
Sorry for all the questions. Just a little concerned.
Thanks in advance,
A.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! All of your clarifications, made the solution quite clear...nurse first and feed cereal second. Who knew it was so easy! Thanks again!
My only advice would be to nurse prior to solid feedings. I didn't do this with my first son and I ended up having to supplement around 10 months. This may not happen with all moms but it did to me. I realized, a little too late, that I would feed him his meal then nurse so he wasn't taking in as much, and then I started producing less. That is all the advice I have. I am sure you will get more feedback ;)
Just like the other mama's said, nurse first. If you want to nurse through 12 mos, remember that your milk should still be his primary source of nutrition. Introducing solids is just that - an introduction of what's to come. It is to get your little one used to different textures and tastes, not to move your milk to secondary status. I had a drop in production at this time, but, it was also when I went back to work and a machine will never express what your baby can. So, I think that was the culprit in my case.
A. - nurse on demand and that should keep the supply-demand balance going. I agree also, nurse before feeding solids. Some babies even eat more solids after they nurse, so it keeps up your milk supply and the baby gets lots of calories. Lastly, don't offer any other liquids than water.
The great news is that your body will regulate to supply and demand. If he keeps needing x amount, you will generally yield that amount. And when he needs less, you will over time make less. If you find you are making less than you think he needs then you can pump a bit. But in general, the rules don't change once they start eating solids - you keep drinking lots of water and being well nourished.
The great thing about nursing is your body is so responsive to the baby's needs. Your body will naturally adjust to how much milk your son needs when, as well as the content he needs. The properties of breastmilk actually condense the less the child drinks so that the benefits never decrease! You're doing fine, and congrats on going this long!
