Do I still need to breastfeed after I start giving him cereal?

Kate - posted on 07/27/2009

Yes! Children must have milk (breastmilk or formula) as the mainstay of their diet until they are 1 year old. Try pumping to increase supply, or take Fenugreek, drink Mother's Milk tea, etc. Also, if he is nursing frequently he may just be going through a growth spurt and it'll be fine in a few days. It's also recommended not to start solids until at least 4 months, preferably 6 months. When you do start, it's best to start with fruits/veggies as babies do not have the enzymes to digest grains until 18 - 24 months.

Nicole - posted on 07/27/2009

A resounding YES. Nursing on demand will increase your supply. Random bit you may already know, but I find incredibly important: The World Health Organization ( and even the americans) recommend exclusive nursing for six months and then nursing until Two years old. and as the others have said, your baby is far more efficient than a pump. Also, around three months, one of many growth spurts hit and babies tend to cluster feed like a newborn again. Heck, my nine month old still nurses every two hours some days. Don't worry if your breasts don't engorge between feedings your body knows your baby's feeding patterns very well. Sorry I babbled on so much but breastfeeding is very important to me. One of those lactivists ;)

Mel - posted on 07/26/2009

you need to be removed off here Vicki your forvever following my posts because you have some issues and making up stories. as i have stated to you before after my daughter was a week old she needed 3 hour day and night feeds, before that she was just fine to sleep as many hours as she liked at n, and yes i got this from a nurse so i think i am going to take advice from someone qualified over you. as long as a baby makes up feeds during the day and is gaining weight it does not matter how long your baby sleeps. my daughter is still on night feeds at 15 months, so yeah vicki obviously i left her to starve. solids are just fine before 6 months, my daughters dietitan is excellent and she has one of the best pediatricians in australia because of her case of refusing to eat well, he travels to third world countries to help and is the main co ordinator at the childrens hospital in perth and is often going interstate and away as well to work with kids all over the world. so trust me I am giving you all the correct information. good luck darl

Morgan - posted on 07/26/2009

Yes definitely still give him breastmilk they need the fats from the Bmilk/formula for brain development, that is why when you start them on milk you are to use whole milk because they need the fat. He may also just want to suck does he have a pacifier you might try that before cereal. I won't tell you not to give cereal as both my daughters had cereal at 3 months and my pediatrician was fine with that. And my oldest is 19 months and has no allergies. Which is one of the main reasons for not starting solids before 6 months. People will say that you shouldn't do it but ultimately it is your decision as long as you are well informed do what you feel is best for your little one. when I was young we were allowed to start solids at 3 months and I turned out fine. Most people will advise to give more formula/Bmilk but all that does is stretch their little tummies. Plus supplementing with formula is not recommended when breastfeeding at least that is what I was told when I had my first by doctors, nurses and lactation consultants.

Vicki - posted on 07/26/2009

"you can start solids at 3 months out daughters dietitian actually recommended it,... i still use formula for my FTT baby at 15 months. .."



Personally I wouldn't take advice from a mother whose baby has failed to thrive. Just saying. This is like the oatmeal baby.

Melissa, just because YOUR daughter was starving as you left her to "sleep" for HOURS without feeding and your doctor "recommended" you give her solids... does NOT mean anyone else should EVER give solids before six months. PLEASE QUIT ADVISING THIS.

Emma - posted on 07/26/2009

of course.. if you dont have enough milk to satisfy him put him on formula.. he NEEDS milk as his main source of nutrients.. maybe you could try formula milk for him.. then if he is still hungry try to give him a little cereal on a spoon about an hour after his lunchtime milk.. please do not stop giving him milk.. he seriously does need it.. he could get very ill if you dont give him it.. as i said before.. if he does not get satisfied with your breastmilk give him formula.

Mel - posted on 07/26/2009

you can start solids at 3 months out daughters dietitian actually recommended it, but i would not start with cereal. it tastes horrible and causes constipation. we started with pureed fruits and vegies such as apple, pear, sweet potato, pumpkin , carot etc or you can give mashed banana or baby custards, rusks with or without spreads etc. you will still need to give milk until the age between 9-12 months, however you can always switch to formula if you dont have enough milk. the formula will fill him up better and make him gain better weight anyway. i still use formula for my FTT baby at 15 months. send me a pm if you need help

Vicki - posted on 07/25/2009

He could be going through a growth spurt, that would make it seem he needs to eat 24/7. Baby's stomach is still pretty tiny, remember! You can also pump to increase your supply even more, even 2-3 oz is fine, as the amount you are producing depends on the amount baby is drinking, with little surplus. By pumping extra, you will produce extra, though it might take a little while.



You DO need to continue to breastfeed for AT LEAST a year. It will not do your son any good to be weaned so young. There would be potentially severe health consequences. You know, I saw something on TV recently, one of those emergency room shows, and there was this little boy, maybe 3 years old, who suddenly stopped walking. Turns out he was only being fed oatmeal.

Jenifer - posted on 07/25/2009

It's okay if you are only getting a few ounces at a time with the pump - babies are much more efficient at getting milk out than the pump, so you can be pretty sure he's getting more than that at each feeding. Even if you're not getting much with the pump, every time you use the pump, you tell your body to produce more milk. Hope you can find a solution that works for you soon!

Samantha - posted on 07/25/2009

I do use a pacifier. He loves his! I have been trying to give formula because he wants to eat 24/7 but im positive im running on the empty right now. I try and wait it out so that I can pump but when I've pumped I've hardly even gotten 2-3 ounces out. He doesn't like formula, he won't drink it period even if he's screaming crying hungry! and he doesn't like the cereal either. I've even mixed my breast milk in with the cereal. I'm just really getting frustrated at this point.

Jessica - posted on 07/24/2009

I agree with Adisalem and Jenifer. Just because your baby is eating cereal doesn't men that its time to stop breastfeeding. As far as your milk supply there are even herbal supplements that can help increase you milk supply. My youngest who is only 13 weeks was non stop feeding it seemed like for the first 10 weeks of her life, I eventually found that she was just wanting something to suck on, if your not against it, have you tried a pacifier for him? Just hang in there the first 6 months can be hard!

Trishalee - posted on 07/24/2009

you don't have to, but it's so much better for the baby!! breastfeed for at least a year if you can!!

Jenifer - posted on 07/24/2009

Yep, breastmilk (or formula) needs to be his primary food throughout the first year. Any foods you introduce before then are mostly for fun and to help him learn to eat solids. Are you sure he isn't getting enough milk from you? He may just be going through a growth spurt - during those periods, it can seem like they want to feed non-stop, but as long as he's producing enough wet/dirty diapers, he's getting enough to eat. And if your supply actually is low, there's lots you can do to boost it - make sure you're drinking lots of water, have oatmeal for breakfast, use a breast pump between feedings, supplements, etc. But most important is breastfeeding often - it is supply and demand. If you need more info on milk supply and solids intro, check out this website:
http://www.kellymom.com

Adisalem - posted on 07/24/2009

I didn't start cereal until 4 months. My baby is 22 weeks. She eats one tbsp. of rice cereal mixed with 2 tbsp. of breastmilk twice a day. I am still nursing her all day on demand.

Carol - posted on 07/24/2009

ofcourse! you dont stop breastfeeding until a year old, even when they're eating solid food. I personally wouldnt start them on cereal at 3 months. If you're not making enough milk, there are supplements for that and tons of different 'tricks' to produce more milk.

worse comes to worst, switch to formula, if your milk is not enough. but dont start giving them cereal at 3 months. and by all means, dont stop milk until they're a year old.