EBF past 6 months

Minnie - posted on 05/24/2010

My second didn't have any solids until 10 months. I chose to wait until she took the initiative to pick up food and feed herself. Six months is a general guideline. La Leche League words it as "about the middle of the first year." Some babies begin wanting to feed themselves earlier, some not until much later.

Your baby knows what his body needs. The other ladies are correct about the iron. Although iron in human milk tends to begin to decrease in amount AROUND the middle of the first year that iron is still the easiest for your baby to absorb and utilize of any food source, and most definitely easier than iron supplements.

April - posted on 05/24/2010

here we go...another doctor that's clueless about breastfeeding. you can EBF your baby for AT LEAST one whole year. however, it is not unususal for some moms to EBF up to 18 months!

if your 7 month old is gagging and throwing up, he's absolutely not ready for solids.

by the way...the iron stores aren't completely gone at 6 months...they just start going low around that time. it's not like boom at 6 months old they no longer have any iron. (I can't believe a doctor doesn't know this!!)

Celeste is right that there would have to be a blood test to diagnose low iron.

ps...where she getting this 9 month figure?? every baby is different!!

i am glad you know better than your doctor...you were right to question her. Clearly she is not a breastfeeding mama or maybe doesnt even have kids!

Sammie - posted on 05/24/2010

I agree with others, your doctor is giving bad advise. Your breastmilk has everything in it your child needs until 1yr old, and beyond. My daughter wanted nothing to do with solids until she was nearly 18months old. I would wait a another month or two and offer him solids, and if he is still not interested wait a little longer. He will eventually start eating, there is no reason to force it on him.

Marabeth - posted on 05/23/2010

i can't imagine iron supplements are easy for your baby to absorb. in the entire human history we've never had iron supplements and not everyone suffered from anemia! just in case there was truth to them needing more iron i pureed spinach with pears (make a big batch, freeze in ice cube trays) and gave my daughter one cube a week at seven or so months. most times she only ate one or two bites total but i figure iron derived from vegetables is easier for her to absorb. and the pears made it taste sweet (pears have always been her favorite, you could easily just use apple sauce or something).

Elissa - posted on 05/23/2010

your doctor is not only and idiot but is going in a good way for a medical negligence suit since his info is not only wrong but dangerous. If your baby is not eating then he is not ready to eat. Breast milk has plenty of iron of which a far higher amount is absorbed than from either formulas or supplements. While stored iron does run out your milk contains iron so dont worry about it. Sack your doctor and wait to see if baby shows any signs before deciding on a supplement because it is unlikely to be necessary. But if you take your doctors advice and try to force feed him you might end up with a very sick baby so just do what you feel.

Valerie - posted on 05/22/2010

I don't care for iron supplements because they tend to be hard on the tummy and bowels. Perhaps you should have the baby's iron checked and if normal hold off and if low try the iron...babies don't need food period if you are nursing them...my four ate almost exclusively from the breast for a year or more...try pureed foods or foods from the table that you grind in a baby grinder if you want to give your baby food...chances are that part of the not wanting to eat is that food was introduced too soon and is now associated with an unpleasant feeling, gagging..go slow and don't worry as long as baby is growing...try bits of mashed banana, avacado, applesauce...if a no go try baby sweet potatoes, peas, carrots...you will find something baby likes...all the best

Celeste - posted on 05/22/2010

Unless your baby has been diagnosed with low iron, there is no need for iron supplementation. Take a look at this kellymom website:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitami...