I'm still exclusively breastfeeding my 6 month old baby, is this ok?

Question

Alot of people tell me it's ok and others tell me that I should have started her on solids already. She is growing really well.

Answer 1

As long as she is following her growth pattern well, dont worry. Your breast milk has everything your daughter needs. My daughter was nursed for 12 months, and for 10 months of that it was exclusively. I wanted it that way, but her tummy was so sensitive that she couldnt have solids if i wanted her to. Shes always been totally healthy, and never got sick at all until after I stopped nursing her. Your breast milk was MADE for your baby. The only thing she may need is vitamin A and D drops (i think those are the ones, ask your doc)

also, that lady who says shes going to stop nursing when her child gets teeth, and she thinks that will be around a year old, cracks me up! most babies get teeth much earlier than that. my daughter started getting them around 3 months old. and she only bit me once. i looked down into her little eyes and firmly said NO and that was the end of that.

Answer 2

If you've been breastfeeding for 9 months, there is no need to ever use a bottle. Your baby will see no use of it, and can be weaned (slowly) to a cup. She can start having it now for some sips of water. I don't know how your breasts may change as you continue to breastfeed and then wean the baby, but you really won't know until 6 months after total weaning. At that point, if you plan to have no more children, you might consider surgery. The only alternative is trying to strengthen the muscles under the breasts.

Answer 3

You can start introduce solids now. You don't have too, but babies over 6 months old will start to require more than you can provide just breastfeeding. Don't stop breastfeeding though. You are doing great. To introduce solids start with cereal mixed with expressed breast milk. Start each feeding by nursing and then offer the solids. You will be surprised how much your little one will love it and you will still get to breastfed and keep bonding that way.

Answer 4

Good for you for exclusively breast feeding your baby! You have given your baby a great start to life. I too, exclusively breast fed for 6 months, and still breastfeed, my boy will be 2 next month. It is perfectly OK for you to have exclusively breastfed your baby this long. You can still breastfeed and I encourage you to do so but it is time to slowly start to introduce solids. The link I included in sources gives you an idea of what you solids can be introduced and at what age. Because your baby's digestive system is still maturing, you need to be aware of food allergies. I started slow, one meal of solids a day and worked my way up to 3 meals a day by the age of 8 months. I hope you find this helpful! Happy feeding!

Answer 5

Of course it is okay. It is recommended that you breastfeed up until they are a year old. Now that your baby is 6 months old, you can introduce her to solids by starting with the cereals. Always nurse before you feed and you can even mix your breastmilk with the cereal. Solids should be started at 6 months. Good luck.

Answer 6

Okay? It is FANTASTIC and WONDERFUL!!! You are giving your baby the best start in life that she could ever have! Do you know how few mothers are willing to do that for their babies?
Let me tell you this about adding solid foods. Any time that you give your baby a solid food you are substituting an inferior food for a highly superior one. Breastmilk is absolutely the best thing that you can give your baby.
When she is no longer happy with just the breast milk ( and she will let you know) then you can start to add rice cereal ( the dry kind mixed with breast milk) and then when that is going well you can start adding mashed bananas or some other bland fruit. For now you are giving her the very best, most wonderful thing that she could possibly have. Why add solid foods if she is still doing really well on the breast milk?
Trust yourself, trust your instincts and do what you feel is right.
You are doing an incredible, wonderful job!! Keep up the good work!
Love and Blessings
Lady T~

Answer 7

If she is growing well, you do not have to rush to start solids. There are many breastfed babies that don't really get interested in solids unitl 18+ months. Every baby is different. You may want to start adding something in a month or two. But don't be surprised if she doesn't eat a whole lot. Breastmilk is the best nutrition for babies!

Answer 8

a lactation consultant (what a funny name for someone who gives advice on breastfeeding, huh?) told me that most women aim to breastfeed for a year to a year and a half before adding solid foods.

personally, once my son gets teeth (that should be around a year), that's it, he's not getting near my breasts any more, if he's not ready for solids then he can have formula from a bottle...'cause i'm not getting bit.

what you want to do is basically up to you, your baby can continue to grow and be very healthy on breast milk alone for quite some time yet, as long as no complications arise, but if you're tired of breastfeeding, or tired of breastfeeding exclusively, you've already given your daughter a wonderful gift, and it's okay if you want to move on to formula or other foods now.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Honey, when that Baby is ready for Food (or to quit nursing) You'll Know it!! I was told that 6 months was about the time to give juice. But foods should wait as long as possible. That's the way I did it? (With all 4) The Le'Leche League gives a wealth of information on the subject, but I don't have any contact info on them. I did when my 20 yr old was a newborn!! LOL!!
As long as she's healthy and Growing, You're doing it all O.K.
( Your own instincts will always be your best guide!)

Answer 10

Personally I did introduce solids at 9 monthswith my oldest but I exclusivly breastfed for the 1st yearmy son due to the fact my child have several food allergies which a blood test confirmed at6 months.

All the baby really needs is breastmilk for the 1st year since your breastmilk changes as the baby grows unlike formula its safe to exclusevly breastfeed to the age of 1.

PPL will be mean and ppl will push their believes and practices on you but you do whats best fit for you and your child