Starting solids...

Shannon - posted on 01/15/2009

Well.. I actually do food in reverse... I nurse my son when he first gets up in the am, and about an hour later give him his oatmeal with a little fruit in it... it works for us, and he does beautifully this way. I also do this again in the evening... around 530 he nurses, and at about 7 I give him veggies with rice cereal added... it works for us.

Shanyn - posted on 01/15/2009

I had a friend who had a situation with her daughter almost exactly like this! Her reflux was so bad that she started to associate the pain of the reflux with nursing and it destroyed their breastfeeding relationship. It was incredibly sad! I would say follow your instincts. Do you think your babe is ready for solids? Did he seem to be in pain after eating the rice cereal? Brenda could well be right about the lactose intolerance - he could be so sensitive to it that even your milk sets off his little tummy. Have you tried cutting out dairy and gluten from your diet? Those are big triggers for some babes that can set off reflux and colic. And in the interest of preserving your breastfeeding relationship, I would definitely separate the solids feedings from the nursing sessions. Make your nursing sessions really about bonding and nurturing him. You can talk to him, stroke his little face, etc...make it the most pleasant experience you can for both of you. It may take a little time and effort, but in the end it will be worth it. Good luck!!

Erin - posted on 01/15/2009

I was in the same situation as yourself with the reflux and BF problem when starting solids. I always offered my breast then the cereal. I know you do not want to deal with medications but we found that prevacid was a miracle drug for our son. The Zantac does not work for some babies with GERD b/c it is an alcohol based medication and can irritate about 15% of babies with GERD.

Erin - posted on 01/15/2009

I was in the same situation as yourself with the reflux and BF problem when starting solids. I always offered my breast then the cereal. I know you do not want to deal with medications but we found that prevacid was a miracle drug for our son. The Zantac does not work for some babies with GERD b/c it is an alcohol based medication and can irritate about 15% of babies with GERD.

Amanda - posted on 01/15/2009

Perhaps you should space out the solids and breast feeding a little more. I have just started solids a few weeks ago with my 6 month old and I just try to space it about 30 minutes apart so he will still bf. As you add solids your little one will inevitably breastfeed less and if you don't want that to happen yet I would hold off on the solids a little longer.

Brenda - posted on 01/15/2009

Staying with exclusive breastfeeding is okay and though you were told to start solids you don't really have too. When you seperate the two you will limit his ability to choose and you may have to pump to make up for that one less feeding.I say go with your instincts. Did you ever consider that he maybe lactose intolerant? It's not a common problem but it has happened to some babies and they don't have a tolerance for any kind of milk.