AubreyP`s poll Show results | Hide results

MelissaJoanne (930.4 days ago)
Preach it, mama!
That`s why I`m so big on my daughter only getting the good stuff - breastmilk, and maybe a little bit of our homemade organic dinner. I want to grow her body strong and healthy, hopefully healthier than mine.

pooka (930.4 days ago)
my Step sister has intestinal issues as well and i know that it can take a long time before any damage shows. Intestines just aren`t organs that have a lot of symptoms. I have also started to be more aware of the effects diet has on us through my naturalpath. It`s so odd how we have lost the connection between what we eat and how we feel. Its utterly amazing the complete connection between diet, nutrition and every part of our body.

MelissaJoanne (930.4 days ago)
Oh - I wasn`t trying to argue with you pooka - I hope you didn`t think I was. I actually agree with the sentiment of your comment very much. I know you didn`t say it WAS the cause, and I was just adding that in my case I`m sure it wasn`t. :-p Also as I said I`ve seen other info about Crohns or UC mentioned on a few other polls recently, and hadn`t seen anyone with either disease chime in about it. Intestinal problems do suck, and I wouldn't want to do anything that *could* cause issues with my children, things that might not show up until adulthood.

pooka (930.4 days ago)
Melissa my comment was not to say it DOES cause it but that we can`t always know what the choices we make will show in the long run. It was just an example. Just trying to say that because your child seemed to have tolerated it there could not be unseen or known effects.

MelissaJoanne (930.4 days ago)
A couple things - because I`ve seen it mentioned and tossed around a few times (not just on this poll) - I have Ulcerative Colitis (for nearly 10 years), and as a baby I was breastfed for 3 years, exclusively breastfed (NO other solids or liquids) for 9-10 months. Currently there is no known `cause` of Crohns, Colitis, or IBS, and in my case it definitely had nothing to do with an unhealthy diet, early or otherwise. Part of how I maintain my health, however, is to eat a strictly organic vegetarian diet. I was already veg. when I was diagnosed with colitis, and it is much easier on my digestive tract.
But back to the question, I`m BFing my daughter, and didn`t offer her any solids until about 6 1/2 months, and even now at 9 1/2 months I only offer solids once a day. If she seems hungry/going through a growth spurt, I breastfeed more. I`d like her primary nutrition to be coming from my milk, not any other source. Solid food is for fun/experimentation only.

mommiekayla (930.5 days ago)
Okay, well, I just think if you insist on cereal feeding before 6 months then DON`T put it in a bottle and always breastfeed first. And don`t let `baby sleeping longer through the night` be the only reason to cereal feed early.

LKLmama (930.5 days ago)
Wow.. I stand corrected.... thankfully when I learn new information I can change my views instead of sticking to them after I know they are untrue.

happyforest (930.5 days ago)
for a straight answer pertaining SPECIFIALLY to breastfeeding and solids, as long are you are not replacing any of the feedings or breastmilk with solids, there shouldnt be a problem. if you start skipping a nursing session to feed solids, your milk can and will decrease. solids are supposed to be IN ADDITION TO breastmilk (or formula), not replacing it

mommiekayla (930.5 days ago)
Conrad-Haha =P

california-mom (930.5 days ago)
Im a HUGE advocate of breast feeding...But I also start to feed adult foods very early (2 months).

pooka (930.5 days ago)
I think that people forget that these types of statements are meant to be inclusive for the whole population. They are designed with the majority in mind and are a result of literally thousands of thousands of studies. You cannot break it down by saying well i went against the recommended feeding and my child was fine. The law of averages does not take into consideration one individual child. These studies are showing a RISK to any infant that is fed early. A parent has to weigh the risk with the benefits. It`s no different then making the choice to allow your child in a car with no seat belt to drive a block, or ride a bike with no helmet because they lost theirs. It does not guarantee there is going to be circumstances that harm your child but you know when you do it there are risks. Guidelines are only guidelines. If a parent feels their child is suffering by not having food before 6 months they are going to make the choice to ignore the guidelines and take the risks. Because that child turned out apparently fine does not mean they have and it does not mean they haven`t. The unfortunate reality is we never know the long term effects of our choices. Perhaps some day we will know a link between crohns or IBS with early feeding. Who knows. All a person can really do is be aware of the guidelines, be aware of the risks and make informed decisions based on their own personal situation. I would add the unfortunate reality with intestinal tracts is you can have damage and scaring with very little symptoms. So to say `my child tolerated it fine` might not be as accurate as you may thing. Ask anyone who suffers from Colitis or Crohns. It can take a very long time for the intestines to show the signs of damage. Just something to keep in mind.

mommiekayla (930.5 days ago)
There is also guidelines on vaccinations..everyone follow those?? I guess some people pick and choose the guidelines they want to follow.

happyforest (930.5 days ago)
im not talking about anyone specific or even specifically me. but some doctors, books, and wic push moms to do things `their` way, and make them feel that if they dont, then they are doing it `wrong`. right and wrong is different for each child. for example, it would have been wrong for me to wait until 6 months to start cereal, based on MY child. but i am not going to tell someone else that they are right or wrong for the age they started. what i think IS WRONG is when people ONLY follow books and guidelines without question. mothers need to take the responsibilty themselves to find out what is right for their child and not rely on someone else opinion who doesnt even know their child

LKLmama (930.5 days ago)
I am not trying to tell people what the can or cant do... but the question asked what BREASTFEEDERS thinks so I will tell what I think as a BREASTFEEDER. After my research I agree that delaying solids is best.. You can choose to do whatever you like though. I fed my son solids at 4 months, and sure he survived but now that I have more information I cant argue that delaying is better.

LKLmama (930.5 days ago)
Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness.
Delaying solids gives baby`s digestive system time to mature.
Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.
Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.
Delaying solids helps to protect baby from future obesity.
Delaying solids helps mom to maintain her milk supply.
Delaying solids makes starting solids easier.
I LOVE KELLYMOM.COM

happyforest (930.5 days ago)
my son had no problems whatsoever digesting his cereal at 2.5 months. if he did, i would have stopped of course. no one wants to harm their baby. instead of people being bullied and made to feel bad if they dont follow the book or the `rules` (which change every 10 yrs anyway!), they should be encouraged to observe every little movement, action, expression, etc from their child and then decide what is best for THEM. not all babies bodies work the same or develop along the same time line!! there are averages and guidelines, but sometimes i think people forget that not everyone is average

LKLmama (930.5 days ago)
The pancreatic enzyme amylase does not reach adequate levels for digestion of starches until around 6 months, and carbohydrate enzymes such as maltase, isomaltase, and sucrase do not reach adult levels until around 7 months. Young infants also have low levels of lipase and bile salts, so fat digestion does not reach adult levels until 6-9 months.

mommiekayla (930.5 days ago)
I didn`t start solids until 8 months. Breastmilk or formula is enough for a baby under 1 actually. My daughter would never take baby cereal or baby food so she started table food at 8 months-ish.

happyforest (930.5 days ago)
i think its a mix of things. of couse if they can save any money they are going to, just like any other orginazation, company, family, etc. and they do need to say that bc of `dumb mothers` who would feed solids instead of formula bc its cheaper. but im just saying no one can say `IT IS BETTER TO FEED NOTHING BUT BM FOR 6 MONTHS` and claim that is a true statement. that is a generalized statement. it is true for SOME, but not all by any means. whoever is making this claim, does not know your specific child. they do not know that their system `cant handle it`. instead of making a blanket generalization, they should go by developmental milestones and feeding habits, not age. bc all babies are different from each other at 6 months. 6 is not some magic number that means babies are ready right then.

LKLmama (930.5 days ago)
Since wic doesnt pay for infant food other than cereal, and cereal is cheaper than providing formula I dont believe wic is out to save the government money!
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

MS.mom (930.5 days ago)
2 yrs ago...I had heard 6 months when breastfed..Pediatrician told me to start cereal at 4-5 months. I asked him how come lactation consultant differed from his theory. He told me that he thought babies need more iron. He had seen it way too many times by the time the baby was 9-12 months old have low iron b/c of not introducing cereal and other foods until later. Not to say every baby, but I think he had a good point. I think if the baby is getting plenty of milk why not introduce cereal at 4 months.

busymommyof3 (930.5 days ago)
Dr. have always rec. that! Its really up to you! Some are and some are not!

abbyquiet (930.5 days ago)
i waited till 6 months with my son, and he obviously didn`t starve, lol look at his pics in my profile. :) but honestly i think with this next one, i`ll be feed him a whole lot sooner, seeing as how when i finally was able to feed him purees, i got stuck there for WAAAY too long and now am having a hard time trying to get him to eat ANYTHING.

jekajoy (930.5 days ago)
This chart is close to accurate and helped me a lot. Dr`s are not in agreement with whether babies need the water or not. As you can see it says cereal between 4-6 months. The most current research says 6 mo. Please notice that fruits and veggies are 6 mos + http://www.babyzone.com/baby/nutrition-chart.pdf

RobinG (930.5 days ago)
I hear it from other moms that is recommended in other countries but personally here in US I`ve found most docs feel 4-6 months is best. I gave cereal at 4.5 months and added veges at 5.5ish. I feel sooner then 6 is fine but not full fledged meals. I say one cereal feeding a day is good 4-5 months and fruits and veges in two feeding from 5-6 months is good. But thats just my opinion :)

jekajoy (930.5 days ago)
As an RN and a lactation consultant, I can tell you that this statement is true. Feeding your baby just breastmilk or formula for the first 6 months is not starving your baby. It has the right nutrients and it allows your baby`s `guts` to mature enough to digest the other foods. Mothers think that their baby is `ready` for solids because they are waking up in the night or still fussy after a 4 oz bottle etc. Truth is, babies aren`t supposed to sleep through the night :-) Of course, every mom is going to do what they think is best for their child, but make sure it`s the baby that you have in mind, not the convenience of the matter. When you choose to introduce solids to your baby, make sure they get the bottle or breast first because they NEED those nutrients. Solids are only additional and it`s more for teaching the baby how to use their mouth with a spoon etc. Some women soley breastfeed for a year with no solids and their babies are just fine. Every baby is different :-)

butterblocksmom (930.5 days ago)
Every baby is an individual. We ended up giving a wee bit of cereal at 5 months because he was stong, healthy, could sit on his own and his swallowing reflexes were good. Just because you START with solids, it doesn`t mean your breastfeeding/formula feeding time should go down at 5-6 months. The solids are equivalent to a teaspoon a day and are most certainly an `extra` that is given AFTER bf/ff.

courtenay (930.5 days ago)
thats what everywhere recommends to my knowledge... thats because breastmilk, or formula, is the best source of nutrition for babies, esspecially young babies. however sometimes there are reasons to introduce solids sooner. sometimes a baby is just ready, some people choose to introduce it sooner. my doctor wanted us to introduce some cereal at about 5 months because i had a problem with milk production and my daughter had lost weight. i did introduce some cereal at 5 months and continued breastfeeding and she is fine (and her weight picked up again fast with the combination of cereal and BM once my milk picked up again)

happyforest (930.5 days ago)
thats so NOT TRUE!!! this is one of the things that makes me the maddest when it comes to babies, i also saw this at the wic office on a poster and it also said something about `their systems arent ready for ANYTHIGN else until 6 months`. like THEY know your baby. geez. not ALL babies are the same. some are ready WAAAAAAY before 6 months, and thanks to these posters, the women who follow all the rules and ignore their childs body language are now starving their poor babies. my son was ready for cereal at 2.5 months, and he handled it just fine. it did not destroy his system, it didnt make him take less milk, it actually HELPED him a lot!! of course there are other babies who arent ready until later, like around 6 months or maybe a lil more, but they are def NOT the majority. LISTEN TO YOUR BABY, THEY WILL LET U KNOW WHEN THEY ARE READY. a mother knows her child better than any book or doctor does.



Add comments


Sign up to be able to leave comments!
(Sign up)