Is there any problem if I do not start feeding solid food to a 8 months old baby but only breastfeeding?

Question

I have a 8 months old baby girl. I haven't started giving her any baby food yet. Is this affect to the baby's future development? She is heavier than average weight and very healthy right now. Should I start the baby food right away or can I start whenever I feel it's ready?

Answer 1

You can start introducing solids when you're ready anytime before the first year, but I think the reason they say to introduce certain foods is that your baby needs more iron that what can be given via breastmilk alone. Perhaps shortly you could start with baby cereal that has been iron fortified. I was just reading that in the 1800's they didnt offer children solids until they were 2yrs old in France - that seems crazy nowadays doesnt it! Some start at just a few mths, way too early...
She's probably heavier than avg because she's just drinking milk which has more calories than fruits and veggies do. I started solids quite slowly at around 6mths with my daughter but continued nursing quite often until she was 9mths before slowing down a little. She went up from the curve during that time and gained more than others her age.
I just read your other responses, they are a bit over reacting. It's no solids until AT LEAST 6mths nowadays, if they bother keeping up with things. That means you can start later... I went to a LLL meeting and the organiser said she didnt start solids until 9mths with her baby. Her normal Dr was completely OK with this but when she went in for an appt a replacement was there since the original Dr was sick. The replacement went off on how terrible this was she hadnt started solids and it was close to child abuse, etc etc. Not even close.
My daughter's going to wake up any minute but let me see if I cant find you an article about delayed solids. Ok, here we go from kellymom:

The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months):
World Health Organization
UNICEF
US Department of Health & Human Services
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Dietetic Association
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Health Canada

Most babies will become developmentally and physiologically ready to eat solids by 6-9 months of age. For some babies, delaying solids longer than six months can be a good thing; for example, some doctors may recommend delaying solids for 12 months if there is a family history of allergies.

Here's another article that talks about I guess this myth that all of us have about a baby needed extra food than breastmilk their first year for the iron (see link below for full article):
"Introducing solids ensures that a baby is not deprived of necessary iron in his diet."
Anemia is uncommon in the breastfed baby due to the following reasons: 1) a healthy, full-term infant has ample iron stores at birth to last him at least for the first twelve months of life, 2) although the amount of iron in breastmilk is small, it is readily absorbed at a rate of 49% compared to 4% of the iron in formula. This is due to the high levels of lactose and vitamin C in human milk, which aid in the absorption of iron, and 3) breastfed babies do not lose iron through their bowels as do formula-fed infants, whose intestines develop fissures from damage caused by cow's milk.

So there ya go... dont worry about solids at all for now as lack of iron shouldnt be a concern either!

Answer 2

I am so sorry to tell you this but you're wrong and your daughter is right. Normal babies thrive on breast milk alone through the first year making solids until then just practice. Babies should be introduced to solids when they physically are able to self feed, which happens between 6-8 months. Solids don't start replacing milk feeds until closer to 1 year. All a normal 6 month old needs is 4 good nursings a day to get all of his nutritional needs met. While I would be concerned that he might get thirsty between feeds there is nothing really to worry about. You have no reason to be concerned. Trust your daughter to give him solids when he is ready. Apologize to her, tell her that you were wrong, and let her be. You raised her, now let her raise her child.

Answer 3

Your baby will let you know when she's ready for solids.

My sister started solids at 10 months.

My son started solids at almost 8 months.

Both my sister and my son grabbed a handful of "table food" and stuffed it in their faces, and were unstoppable thereafter.

I don't think it will adversely affect your baby. Start when you feel it's time. And don't bother with pureed baby foods. It's actually harder for babies to eat that stuff than it is to eat some food with texture to it. Something my son LOVES is oatmeal, not baby cereal but real old-fashioned cooked oatmeal. I make it a little thick so he can grab it. He also loves bananas. Not pureed, just plain banana. He gums it and chews it, even without teeth.

You're doing fine, mama, and breastfeeding is very very much ok for 8 months exclusively. When she starts being hungry for 3 or 4 days straight (that way you know it's not just a growth spurt) and then shows interest in YOUR food, that's a good sign she's ready. Also, when she sits up unsupported and can grab stuff between her finger and thumb ("pincer" grasp as opposed to open-hand or "palmar" grasp), those are other signs she's ready for solids.

EDIT TO ADD:
I am absolutely appaled at most of the answers you've gotten thus far. Breastmilk lacks iron after 6 months?? WHAT??? Don't reinvent the wheel??? OMG, baby food is a recent invention!! So is baby formula!! Babies used to breastfeed until they were 2 or 3, not 6 months!! That probably meant that they WEREN'T eating solids, at least not regularly! Good lord, people!

Answer 4

You have received a lot of false information. Experts (doctors, breastfeeding activists) suggest waiting until 6 months, not before, to begin introducing solids. However, your child may or may not be ready at that time and that is fine. Formula and breastmilk is all a baby needs for the first year of life; solids are just for practice. As you know, breastmilk is the perfect food and changes to meet the needs of the baby. There are several benefits to delaying solids:

Gives baby better protection from illness-babies receive immunities from breastmilk.

Gives the baby's digest system time to mature.

Decreases the risks of food allergies.

Protects against anemia-feeding babies iron fortified foods actually reduces the baby's ability to absorb the iron.

Protects against future obesity.

Answer 5

It's great to continue breastfeeding but she also be given baby food as well. By the time mine were 8 months they were eating all different kinds of foods and began using sippy cups. Here's a link I think you'll find interesting. It give a general breakdown per age as to what you should be feeding. Breastmilk or formula should be given until 12 months so keep up the good work.

http://www.earthsbest.com/baby_nutrition/feeding_schedule_print.php

Answer 6

Honestly, you should have started feeding her on solid foods right between 4-6 months. That's the recommended age from doctors. It should not affect her development since you are breast feeding her, but she may not be getting all of the nutrients she needs, so you might wanna start her at least on baby cereal and vegetables. The best thing I can tell you is to talk to your doctor and see what he/she recommends for her. If your daughter has no health problems as of right now, I don't see why it would hurt to wait until you are done breastfeeding her.

Answer 7

WHAT? Do you take your child in for her monthly health checks with her doctor? She should have been on baby food 2 months ago. Starting solids later than 7 months can cause problems much like starting them too early. Give that poor baby some food. They cannot only live on milk!

Answer 8

ummm she should have started solids 2 months ago. there is not enough nutrients etc in milk alone after your baby is 6 months old. As the time goes ( up until 12 months) you want to diminish milk ad replace with solids) You need to put that baby on solids now. I cant beleive noone has said anything to you about it??


Qualified Kindergarten Teacher
10 years Child Care experience
Mum of 2 and one on the way

Answer 9

Solid food should be started at around 6 months.
Yes, you ARE messing around with your baby's further development, so don't try to re-invent the wheel and go instead with the norm.

Answer 10

Baby food like cereals should have been started at 4 months. My doctor had me start my baby on stuff like strained carrots and peas and other baby foods also at the time.