How long to wait before starting solids?

Bethany - posted on 01/29/2009

Hey Olivia!

My daughter is almost ten months old, and still exclusively breastfed. As long as your baby is healthy, there is really no reason to start solids early. It's just a supplement to the breastmilk. I have never eaten so much in my life, but it is so amazing to me that my daughter can get all her nutritional needs just from my body! I'd say go for it! And don't worry about odd looks you may get or peds who may freak out. Just do what you feel is best. :)

Crystal - posted on 01/29/2009

My daughter never really took to solids, so she didn't really eat them until she was around 8-9 months old and even then she only ate solids once a day. She was about 13 months old when she started finally eating 3 meals a day.

Zlatina - posted on 01/29/2009

My dr. told me to breastfeed exclusively until 9 months. I just started giving my daughter solids.

Amanda - posted on 01/29/2009

no prob! yeah that's what I did with mine, and it worked great! lucky for me, my daughter is nine months old and still has no teeth, so I don't have to worry about that! :)

Cara - posted on 01/29/2009

thanks for the info!

Cara - posted on 01/29/2009

ok good...i read to breastfeed first, then give the little bit of cereal right after so that its not replacing the feeding.  I think i will hold off to the 6 month mark as well....hopefully she doesnt start biting me before then!  Another challenge!

Amanda - posted on 01/29/2009

You won't replace nursing with solids, but the solids will be extra. So you'll still nurse her as often as you would before, but you'll just give her some cereal, too! My daughter HATED rice cereal, but when she got used to all the different foods, I made it with apple juice and mixed it with bananas, and now she loves it. But as long as you still nurse as often, your milk supply won't go down.

Cara - posted on 01/29/2009

yeah, i know its not nutritive really....its just the thing to do i guess...and how do you start introducing foods....like, I dont want my milk supply to drop because she is eating other things...how does that work?  i wanted to get a machine to make my own baby foods also, but I dont want to start REPLACING feeding with those foods....i agree just tastings and trying, but what happens to my supply when she starts taking less milk because shes eating more of these other foods?

Heather - posted on 01/29/2009

cara--you don't ever have to use rice cereal, unless you want to.
personally, i choose to skip rice cereal because it has very nutritional value.

Heather - posted on 01/29/2009

it's generally recommended to hold off on solids until at least 6 months.
now, some babies can be ready before then(at around 5 months,) but some might not be ready until later(7 or 8 months.)
for the first year of their life a baby needs the nourishment it receives from breastmilk. solids should really only be available for tasting and testing.
so, yes, if your little one is not interested or if he is not showing all the signs of readiness then it's perfectly alright to delay the introductions of solids.
just follow your babies cues and you'll be just fine. :)

Cara - posted on 01/29/2009

I have a similar question!  My daughter is 3 months old now and I was going to do the standard start cereal at 4 months thing, but I am curious how that affects how much breast milk she will take, does it replace a feeding on the breast, etc.  do you HAVE to start giving cereal and stuff to your baby at some point?  I just want her to get the best from the breast!  Cant wait to see what people say!