Discussion Board

Dear everyone,

Can anyone advise me with introducing solids. The very health conscious and informed nurse who leads our breastfeeding group has given me advice which I find confusing. She said definitely no bananas in the first year because they are loaded with poisons - even the organic ones. She suggested starting with carrots and then two weeks later with potatoes and carrots and then I am not sure.

She said that I definitely need to add oil to the veggies so the vitamins get absorbed. I know this is wrong, but why do they always say that the fat soluble vitamins cannot be absorbed otherwise and that the natural fat in the food isn't enough. I always hear this and cannot find a scientific comeback or at least foot for me to stand on, even if I keep quiet. There is not a doctor or RD, besides Jeff, that doesn't say this. Can anyone help???

many thanks,

Julia (who feels drugged from a row of sleepless nights). My 5 month old has now turned the night into day and wants to feed 4 times during the night . - any tips there would be more than welcome.

Has your baby had any new developments? Teeth, crawling, etc? Have you been extra busy during the day or not drinking enough water? Is she getting unusually distracted while nursing and only staying with it a short period of time?

I only ask because it's perfectly normal for your little one to be increasing your milk supply by nursing extra. Or if she's distracted during the day, she's making up for it at night. If you don't co-sleep, you might want to just let her stay in bed with you so you can get some more sleep. After a few days of nursing extra, the supply will increase and she'll go back to her normal routine.

It's a little early for introducing solids and it really doesn't help decrease nursings because milk is the bulk of their diet for the first 2 years. Say you start solids, then she's going to be uncomfortable digesting something new and want to nurse more for comfort. You'll only start out with a couple tablespoons at first anyway.

Hang in there if you can. Make an effort to let her nurse as long and often as she wants during the day (maybe somewhere quiet) and wake her up to nurse about a half hour before you go to bed to hopefully tank her up before you go to sleep. Try switching sides twice to keep her nursing and get all the hind milk possible.

Julia,

Just wanted to add to make sure you're nursing frequently during the day. With my 3, I noticed when they started waking up more during the night, if I just increased the frequency of nursing during the day, that usually did the trick.

Kelli

I agree with Debbie. The most important food that you can give your baby is your breastmilk at this time.

I have a 10-month old baby who eats some solids, but mostly breastmilk. I don't try to avoid giving her solids, but I make sure that most of her meals come from breastmilk.

I too have a baby who still wakes up to eat at night, probably at least three times. I work during the day, so she eat very little when I'm gone, so when I return she makes up for it. I've adjusted to it by cosleeping and making sure my boob is accessible to her when she wakes. We've gotten so good at cosleeping and night nursing that I often feed her while I'm sleeping.

Don't worry...things will work out for you and your baby. You're doing the best that you can do as a mom.

Dear All,

Thanks so much for the advice. As it turns out my little one is such a non fussy baby that she gave no indication to us of carrying a virus or suffering in anyway. Well as it turns out, the week later she developed a mega cold and cough and my doctor reckons that her excessive night feeding might have coincided with a growth spurt, but could also have been because of a sore throat and and thirst. I am so glad that I responded and gave her to drink whenever she needed it as I was definitely advised by some to not let her "play tricks" with me. We do actually co-sleep, but I have yet to see how it works that you don't wake up all the time even while feeding.

Well now I have to get through the sleepless nights with a coughing and stuffy nosed baby. I have got sick myself now as this is the 11th night on maybe 3,5 hours total. My hubby is helping too, but he has to go to work as well. Oh dear! I look forward to a bit of sleep at some point

Thanks again,


Julia

Hugs on those sleepless nights! Try to nap with baby during the day. Do you have a La Leche League group in your area (I hope you're not getting that bad advice from LLL!)? It can be a great place for breastfeeding support, and I met some wonderful "natural parenting" moms there! Definitely breastfeed a minimum of two years and follow baby's lead on solids.

Thanks for the encouragement. I can definitely see your picture on the fridge Caroll. I unfortunately can't nap with my baby as I am invariably helping her older brother with his homework or giving him the much needed attention that he has had to do without since his little sister was born. I tell you by the evenings I am completely finished.

I am in touch with breastfeeding support group and they are great and no they definitely didn't give me that advice, but after the 5th person says that to you, you do begin to wonder.

All the best,

Julia

"Hugs" those days are really (really) rough. My youngest is two and a half now and honestly I am relieved that I won't be having any more babies. After 5, I'm looking forward to a little more rest in my future. Unless you've been there, you can't possibly understand how draining young motherhood is. Stay healthy and let everything go that you possibly can. A dirty house, no PTA volunteer duties, you get the picture.

Pretty soon your baby will be talking and you'll wonder where the time all went. For myself I envision spa days and long walks with the dog......

I had to laugh at what you said circle city vegan as I am the representative for the PTA at my son's school. So much for letting everything go. But then, I just have 2 kids, now 5 kids - how on earth did you do it? I take my hat off to you!!

Anyway my baby's cold is nearly over and guess what.... she has now started teething. Sleeping at night is probably overated anyway

Take care
Julia

I agree with the advice to simplify! While days with infants/toddler is definitely demanding, make sure you take the time to enjoy too. They grow soooo fast!

(mine are currently 8, 5, and 2 and already I can see how fast they grow....)