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Breastfeeding/solids and breastfeeding

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Expert: - 9/6/2007


Question
My daughter is 6 /12 months old.  We started her on solid (rice cereal) at about 5 1/2 months.  She had now graduated to fruits and veggies and baby oatmeal.  She loves her sold food however, she is becoming more and more disinterested in nursing.  I breastfeed her for her breakfast (maybe 5-8 minutes each side).  After that, I give her lunch (BF & cereal...maybe some fruit)....a mid afternoon BF (but she drinks VERY LITTLE....dinner (BF, cereal and veggies....although she doesn't seem to want to breastfeed at that time....and then I nurse before she goes to bed (again 5-7 minutes each side).  She is happy and content with wet and poopy diapers.  I guess my question is...is it ok that she wants less BF and more solids?  I am a first time mom and no one in my family even attempted to breastfeed and told me that I would never keep up with it.  Thank you!

Answer
Hello Shawn - you can continue the routine if it works for you.  From the sounds of it, your daughter has a complete diet and the best of both worlds...breast milk and the transition to food.  I'm assuming her weight is in the appropriate range, and now it's really up to you if you continue to breastfeed...the 6 months to date is a wonderful start for her and again, you can stay with this routine as it's quite normal and she may wean herself from the breastfeeding, BUT you must ensure he has either breastmilk or formula for it's nutrients in addition to the food she's eating.  Good luck and enjoy this wonderful time.

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Sue Ennis

Expertise

I am looking to support the segment of mothers that encounter engorgement issues that prevent them from continuing to breastfeeding, those that do not breastfeed or are ready to start weaning. As an aside, I wish to add that questions asked in terms of those not breastfeeding will not be given guilt for their choice. In many forums, including this one, there is currently no category developed for this "not breastfeeding" audience. I do believe that breastfeeding is best for both mother and child, however, I believe more strongly that there is a lack of support for the woman that for either personal or medical reasons cannot breastfeed. My strengths would be in answering questions related to stopping breast milk production comfortably either right after delivery or after nursing their children for some time, reducing breast engorgement pain and dealing with overactive lactation. Questions I would not try to answer are those tied to emotional feelings as I feel many times women that don't/can't breastfeed struggle with it...and that should be directed to the appropriate counseling channel.

Experience

I am the inventor and founder of LaMa Bra and for years have researched the human body functions, both in process and emotions/hormones to develop a bra to help mother slow or stop their breast milk.

Education/Credentials
I hold a BS in General Biology, a MS in Human Nutrition and an MBA in Marketing.
Also, am the the founder of LaMa Bra found at http://www.lamabra.com that has helped many women with engorgement while breastfeeding and through stages of weaning when ready to stop breastfeeding.

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