solids question?

Question

ok so my baby is small for his age and I get a lot of pressure about solids I know breastmilk has more calories than many of the baby cereals and I'm trying to work out food sensitivities that he may have suspect them via protein in breatmilk and weird poops why can't people just back off he is 3mo and will have the rest of his life to eat ''food'' I get well he will plump up you can offer cereal next month and oh he's hungry ( he's clearly satisfied) and very happy !!!! I don't plan to SPOON feed him till 6 months but many people can't get this throgh there heads even when I mention the aap recomendations sorry to rant what would you say to these people if you were me btw he is exsclusively b/f.?

Answer 1

*lol* My baby was big (20lbs at 4 months) so clearly he needed solids early too -at least according to ignorant people.

I would just say "My baby is the right weight for him, and we are happy with what he eats/our decisions".

Or some people prefer to put the blame elsewhere "My doctor says that if I start cereal at 4 months my son's weight gain will slow" or whatever.


Or the other favorite:
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppbreastfeed/?msg=69364.2
First, I learned early on that most of my choices were on a "need to know" basis. Most people don't "need to know". If asked "how is the baby sleeping?" Answer: Great! Thanks for asking! Want some bean dip?

"Are you sure you should be picking her up every time she cries?" Answer:"Yes! Thank you! Want some bean dip?"

"When do you plan to wean" Answer: "When she's ready. Thanks! Want some bean dip?"

Now, with some people you will need to set *firm* boundaries. They will need to be backed up with action (like hanging up, leaving the room or even the event). If it's a pattern of intrusion, for example. Practice kind but firm responses:

"I know you love us and the baby. We are so glad. Our sleeping choices have been researched and made. I will not discuss it again"

Also, don't confuse setting boundaries with trying to convince someone of the rightness of your choices. New AP moms often struggle with this. The boundary is that no one else has a right to tell you how to parent and create a hostile environment. You set boundaries by doing the above. Where new moms often invite problems is by citing authors, studies and sites to "defend" themselves. Each time you do so, you create more time for discussion and rebuttal and send the message that your decisions are up for debate. Don't defend your choices beyond generalities, and then only once or twice. "The doctor is in support of our choices. Want some bean dip?"

Finally, look them in the eye and say simply "I want us to have a good relationship. I want you to *enjoy* the baby. I'll parent the baby - you enjoy them. Let's not discuss this anymore. If you bring it up, I will leave the room."

Answer 2

Don't listen to anyone. Tell them you know what you're doing, you've done your research, you appreciate their concern, but your son is just fine.
Giving him cereal now isn't a good idea. He's too young, he may develop allergies, may get tummy aches, and he really doesn't need it. You don't want him filling up on rice cereal and end up drinking less breastmilk. Breastmilk has more calories and more nutrients.
My daughter didn't start gainning more weight after solids. So that theory is not true. I always offer breastmilk first even now at 9months. And if she's still hungry she gets solids.

You know your stuff Tasha, obviously you 've done some research. Don't let people make you second guess yourself.

Answer 3

just ignore them. i ge thte same thing. my son is 5 1/2 months and so many people just wanted to shove stuff down his mouth. my son is also breastfed. i let him try cereal at 4 1/2 months but not all of the time. keep doing what you're doing because ti is best for your baby. jsut because hes small is no reason to start solids especially at 3 mo. actually most ped dont reccomend solids until teh baby has at least doubles in birthwieght. my son was small at first (5.13) and he def plumpped up on just breastmilk he is now 16 1/2 pounds and 26 inches. go with your own way of parenting, im sick of that too it's so annoying

Answer 4

Sounds like you already know the answer and just really needed to vent a little - totally understand! Do what you know is best for your baby and don't let others pressure you (even though they're infuriating)! Giving a baby cereal before five or sixth months of age is actually not good for them anyway, so just blame it on that if you need a scapegoat. Keep up the good work mommy!

Answer 5

I had two very small children my daughter was 2.4Kg at birth, my son was 2.9Kg at birth both were fed breast milk for the first five months, when I started them on solids they were weighing 8 - 9Kg. I had no problems with my daughter at all regarding solids but my son did have a lot of allergies.

I also had a lot of questioning regarding solids, why and when??? I ignored them all and used my own judgement. Just tell them all to back off, that it is your child and not theirs. If they want to play mommy they should have their own child and then they would see that introducing food to an infant is not easy, your child may not be developmentally ready for solids, you could also get all kind of reactions and for your you know allergic reactions. Take your time they are not the parent, you are, stand your ground and put your foot down.

Attached - Links regarding Introduction of solids for infants (show this to the disbeliveers if they don’t believe you)

Answer 6

I have had this said to me a hundred times.

I usually just say, very politely, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize my son's feeding habits were any of your business."

If they ask if he's on solids, just say "Of course not! He's just [x] months old! Are you crazy??"

I delayed solids with my first son until 7 1/2 months. He showed no interest before then, and solids before 1 year aren't nutritionally necessary anyway.

My second son is just now 6 months, and he is still exclusively breastfed. Has no interest in solids yet, either.

I suggest you say what you said in your question, "Thanks for the concern, but he's very happy and very satisfied."

Answer 7

dont be rushed into giving solids as long as hes happy and feeding in my opinion at 3 months he sould not be on solids anyway ive got 2 and dident give them solids till around 6 months they had the odd thing ie weetabixs

Answer 8

Always take cues from your baby. I had all intentions of doing what the books said and only breast feed for the first year. But my daughter had other plans. At about 3.5 months she started waking at night and starving. So in one of her bottles per day I'd put a little rice cereal. Then she started watching me and smacking her lips and going mmm mmm when I'd eat. So I tried spoon feeding. She took to it like a champ.
Just stick to your guns or that of your child's...they'll let you know if they're ready or not.