How to start solids without messing up breastmilk supply???

Lindsey - posted on 05/19/2009

With my first I nursed, waited an hour and then gave the solids. With my second I am just feeding him whenever we eat and then I'll nurse him when that meal is over and everything is cleaned up and my supply hasn't dwindled, at all. I was really worried with my first that my supply would go down...I was kind of up tight about it. Now I don't have time to be up tight about it...so I just go with the flow! He still nurses like a champ, even if I nurse him immediately after the solids. Just do what works best for you...sometimes waiting an hour to give him solids after you BF could be a bit of a hassle (it was for me with my first!)!!

Rosie - posted on 05/19/2009

I was told by my pediatrician to breastfeed first, then offer the solids. My daughter is 8 mos old now. I found that if I nursed her, she wouldn't eat right after (she would be full). So now, I nurse then wait and hour and a half or so, then I feed her solids. Also, I wouldn't worry so much about your milk supply. You body will make more/less depending on your baby's needs. The process of them starting solids, also begins the process of slowly weaning off the breast.

Karina - posted on 05/19/2009

I agree with Cassie. Solid foods are just for practice, not nutrition right now. All your baby's nutrition comes from the breast milk. And at least with my son, he would get really frustrated if he was hungry and we tried solids. It made a much better experience with a happier baby to nurse first then offer solids. At times, I'd only nurse him off one side, then try the solids, then continue nursing but always at least half a breast milk feeding first. We actually have a good friend who gave solids first and her daughter really liked them but started losing weight because she wasn't taking enough breast milk and not getting enough nutrition. We also did solids twice a day, breakfast and dinner, so for only those two nursings did we offer solids afterward. But if you nurse first, your supply will be fine.

Christie - posted on 05/19/2009

I agree with the moms who breastfeed after the solids. It's important that your baby get used to the solid food, so you should try to feed him solids fist, when he is the most hungry. However, becuase we had some trouble getting my baby used to the idea of eating cereal instead of going straight to the breast, we did a couple days where I fed him from one side, then tried the cereal and offered more milk after. He wasn't as hungry/fussy at this point, so this helped us transition. After a couple days we went back to the cereal first, then the breast and he's eating pretty well. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 05/19/2009

I agree with Jamie's advice. Offer the solids before breastfeeding and pump afterwards if needed. I keep my son on the same breastfeeding schedule and just added in his meals. Hope this helps.

Cassie - posted on 05/19/2009

the solids are a secondary food for your baby! You should ALWAYS breastfeed first then offer solids to your child! This will ensure that your baby gets the nutrition he needs and your supply stays up! Good luck!

Jamie - posted on 05/19/2009

Offer the solid food as breakfast, lunch and dinner before you breastfeed. We usually offered the solids at the same time we were eating. After he breastfed, if my son only ate on one side or didn't eat much, I would pump...though I didn't have to do it that often. When he started on solids he didn't eat much of it, and as he got older and ate more, he also drank more...about 6-8 oz at a time (breastmilk from a bottle while I was at work). Hope this helps!