Could anybody give me a support for my breast feeding?

Question

I have 8 month old baby( this is my second one) and still not start weaning. It's because I read some doctor saying baby's intestine has got different structure than grown up's and baby should not take protein till their intestines are ready for it, some protein cause allergy, asthma etc... So I 'm just giving her my breast at the moment. Some people told me baby need more nutlience after six month or baby will get too hungry. But my baby is absolutely fine and I do not mind to feed her often including in the night. I am sure some people will tell me off,but I want to have sopport to carry on this( ideally another few month). Does anybody have positive comment for me?

Answer 1

Many doctors will tell you not to give solids untill 12 months if there is a family history of allergies. You are doing nothing wrong.

http://askdrsears.com/faq/bf4.asp
"DOES MY BREASTFEEDING EIGHT-MONTH-OLD NEED SOLID FOODS FOR COMPLETE NUTRITION?"
"My eight-month-old still does not seem interested in solids. I am breastfeeding, and he is gaining weight well. I am worried that my breast milk is not enough for him. Does he need the solid foods for complete nutrition at this age?"

I encounter this situation frequently in my office. Many parents have the misconception that all infants will be ready for foods between 4 and 6 months of age. The truth is that very few infants are developmentally ready at 4 months. In addition, it is now recommended to delay foods until 6 months in order to decrease the chance of allergies. I also have found that some infants are not developmentally ready for solids until 8 or 9 months. You can click here to read about what signs to watch for to determine when your infant is ready for foods. Breast milk is nutritionally complete for at least the first year of life. This means that infants can go for at least a year on breast milk alone, without eating any foods, and be nutritionally complete. Offering foods between 6 and 12 months of age is simply for social development and to get infants used to eating.

I encourage parents not to try to coax their 6 month old into accepting solids before he shows many of the signs of being ready. This can create a picky eater and negative feelings about eating.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html
Some doctors may recommend delaying solids for the first year if there is a family history of allergies. I'm not going into the many health benefits of delaying solids here; see Why Delay Solids? for more information.

Answer 2

Well done you for breastfeeding for so long. Nowadays people give up far too quickly. I am still feeding my 15month old although I check with my husband frequently that it is not 'weird' yet. However, I do think that you should start to introduce some solid foods. If it is proteins you are worried about, offer foods that are low in protein like fruit and veg. Offer small amounts and carry on breastfeeding as well. I read somewhere that babies iron stores reduce after six months and they can't get enough from milk alone. Try and find some more info on the web about it or talk to your doctor. I live in the UK and waited until 6 months to wean my baby (following current goverment guidelines) but I was one of very few of my friends and a lot of people thought I was strange for waiting that long. My son is now thriving and eats like a horse.

Answer 3

What your doing is fantastic well done. I breast fed my third child for 18 months she did wean about 5 months but she by far preferred mummies milk so as long as your little one is putting on weight and is well then you are doing fine dont worry just take your time with the weaning when you feel your baby is ready

Answer 4

My baby is 11 months old and still breast feeding. She sees a nutritionist and at 7 months they had me begin giving her rice cereal. As the months have progressed she has had all her fruits and veggies and will soon be starting meat. I decided to take it slow, she was a preemie. If you are having concerns about your babies nutrients ask your pedestrian. You are going to want to start introducing your baby to solid foods if you are planning on weaning in a few months. The first little bit of solids for your baby is mainly to get them started on something different and teach them how to chew. You are going to want your baby to have all those abilities once you go to wean. Keep up the good work breast feeding!!!

Answer 5

At this point still giving baby your breast milk is fine. I would suggest you talk with pediatrician because at 8 months you may need to start introducing different soft foods to your baby, one at a time to be certain baby does not have an allergy. If you are giving cereal you can continue to use breast milk to make cereal right consistency. It is doubtful that protein will cause allergy and definitely will not cause asthma. But if baby already has asthma developing allergies to foods could aggrevate asthma because allergic reactions causes mucus secretion and bronchospasms hallmarks of asthma. I think at this age baby does require more nutrients, vitamins and minerals. You need not think you are starving you baby. Your baby may just require to be fed more often. I would definitely talk with your pediatrician about how to proceed with you childs diet.
Keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that 'breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired,' so if you enjoy breastfeeding and it is possible, you might continue breastfeeding.

If you stop breastfeeding before your infant is 12 months old, you should put him or her on an iron fortified infant formula. And you should feel proud of yourself for breastfeeding for however long you did breastfeed.

Infants under a year old should not be put on:

* whole cow's milk
* reduced fat cow's milk
* goat's milk
* soy milk (although a soy formula is usually just fine)
* rice milk
Why not? The main reason is that none of these forms of milk has iron in them, which is very important for your infant.Without an adequate source of iron, your child will likely develop iron deficiency anemia.

Plus most of these forms of milk are not always well digested by young infants, which is especially a problem for cow's milk. And some of them, like soy milk, rice milk, and reduced fat cow's milk, are low fat, which are not appropriate for children under the age of two years.

So if you are not able to breastfeed until your baby is at least 12 months old, you should wean to an iron fortified infant formula.
And if you are stopping before you really want to because you are having problems breastfeeding, be sure to get an evaluation with a lactation consultant. Many breastfeeding problems, like nursing strikes, biting, and having a poor milk supply, can be fixed with the proper help.

Answer 6

Dear aveandla:Congratulations for making a sometimes difficult choice concerning breast feeding. I understand that while breast feeding there are all manner of benefits for your babe, including the mother/child bonding that takes place during this quiet together time, as well as a natural build up for the immune system of a growing baby.My suggestion would be to talk your concerns over with your pediatician or your family doctor.Are your child's natural weight gain progressions being met?Does she seem contented? Once you've gotten assurances from your Doctor that your baby is indeed thriving, you might try researching "La Leche League", which is an internationally known association that deals with the ongoing benefits of breast feeding, they may even be able to steer you to a branch of it located near you. Good luck!

Answer 7

congratulations i applaud u, breast feeding is a wonderful experience i am still breast feeding my 8 months old, she is having a little yoghurt but mainly just breast milk i find it unbelieveable the amont of people that dont breastfeed and give up cause its so rewarding i have 5 children and i feed them all till 14 months they pick up on food when they r ready

keep going breastfeeding is the best and so rewarding

Answer 8

Hi My wife raised and breast feed four babies. Here are her
suggestions:" Your baby is old enough to have some solid foods.
You can start out with some baby cereal, then watch for signs of
allergic reactions. If there aren't any allergic reactions after a few
weeks, you can introduce fruit, vegetables, and then meat. Not only
will the baby get better nutrients, it will also aide in sleeping, and
contentment during the day."

Answer 9

I think you need to concentrate on what is best for mother and baby if breast is best then go for it i only managed up to six months, if your baby wants finger foods or mashed foods in between great their are plenty of mums that feed up to 12 months go with your feelings.

Answer 10

What does your doctor say? I support and applaud your breast feeding, but I think it's time to start introducing some fruits and vegetables or a rice cereal. I am still nursing my 12 month old, and I agree that it's incredibly important to continue nursing, but some variation in the baby's diet can be a good thing too. The baby will still be getting most of her nutrition from you, if that makes you feel more at ease!