Two questions...breast Feeding and Starting Cereal

Just an FYI--those who suggested pumping didn't say how much. Don't pump until your breasts are empty--then your body is being told to make the same amount. You're probably nursing your daughter right before bedtime and so at that point you're empty. Maybe when you wake up soaked, pump for just a few minutes on each side to relieve the pressure (you can even hand-express into the sink to avoid dealing with getting the pump out in the middle of the night) and then in a couple of weeks you should be fine.

By the way, I am super jealous--my 15 month old is seriously just now starting to sleep 11 hours at night. You are a lucky, lucky mom.

I would wait on the solids especially if your little one is sleeping throught the night (how awesome is that!) I wouldn't want to do anything that might upset that at this point. I introduced by second child to solids around 4 months and she had real tummy trouble from it. When I finally figured out the cause I had to stop all foods and pretty much wait until she was older.

Not sure about the solids..I too have a 3 and a half month old and I am still breastfeeding her. As far as relieving the pressure, have you thought about pumping? This is what I do and it definitely helps. You can store the milk for a feeding later. Hope this helps...
By the way, I can't believe your daughter is sleeping through the night starting at 8..! wow!! my daughter has only done that once..what's your trick?

Hi S.,

For your first question - give your body some time to get used to the change - at least 2 weeks. If it doesn't change - I would suggest to pump during the night or before going to bed.

For the second one: my son is 16 months now. I remember that at 4 months he could o everything from the "solids list" - but I decided to wait. I started him on solids when he was 6 months and it was hard for him at the beginning. I kept trying - it took him about a month to learn and I was so scary that he might choke. So my advise is: let your daughter be the baby she is and enjoy the breast milk because in couple of months you have to do it anyway.

Regards,
T.

Wow that is awesome that your daughter is sleeping!!!!!

Your body will catch on, at least mine would catch on too soon, so count your blessings, because she will need more milk during the day. Maybe pump before bed.

As far as solids, i would wait until she is at least 4 months old. I waited with my kids until 6 months. Some kids tummies are more mature than others.

There was research out there saying that they saw a link between introducing solids before 6 months and an increased risk of diabetes. I am NOT trying to scare you just trying to inform you. I would talk to your daughters pediatrician about the study, before you start solids...And if either of your families have food allergies keep that in mind when introducing foods.

I can't advise you on the breastfeeding, sadly, but my oldest daughter started solids at three months. Most of the baby books said to wait, but she was ravenously sucking down bottle after bottle so I decided to go ahead. When she got that first spoonful of baby cereal, she got this huge grin on her face. Boy, was she ever ready! My second child didn't start on solids until 5 months. Every baby's different, so go with your gut.

I had the same problem. I decided to get up around 1AM and pump for a very brief time...2-3 minutes. It would take off the edge, prevent the soaking, and give me some milk to store up for another time. If you pump more than that, it will signal your brain to make more milk. In a couple weeks, you're production will match the demand.

Wow you are one lucky mom to have that baby sleeping through the night!!
Give your body a week or two, it will stop producing so much milk overnight. I would not recommend pumping as that is basically telling your breasts they need to make more milk at the time you are pumping... make sense?

I strongly recommend waiting until 6 months for solids. It will help reduce the risk of allergies and prevent stomach upset from too early an introduction. My 4 girls were all very early with their milestones but I waited until 6 months before introducing solids with all of them. I am glad I did!