Breast Milk is all they need till 1?

[ChairmumMiaow]

That's what I believe to be true but a friend vehemently disagreed with me - we were both trying to advise another mum.

The disagreement gave us a bit of a difficult moment but I'd really like to know that I'm giving the correct advice - and doing the right thing for DS.

Can anyone point me to research / official advice that backs that up?

[Dior]

Message withdrawn

[misdee]

exclusive breastfeeding until 6months. then introdcuation of food alongside breastfeeding, but breastmilk being main source of food.

[louii]

Should be the main source of nutrition, but by one they should be having nutrition from other sources as well/

I am a long term breastfeeder btw

[ScarletA]

I think some cultures they do this - but don't quote me. I know that my stepson's mum exclusively breastfed him until 11 months and he was THE fussiest eater ever. Only liked creamy things, no lumps or bumps or vegetables or fruit or nuffink. Though some kids are like that anyway...

Eats like a horse nowadays though

[ChairmumMiaow]

The friend's worry is about vitamins - her DD is only just 6 months and I said as she still bf plenty, she doesn't have to worry about balancing the diet / vitamin supplements yet

[Dior]

Message withdrawn

[LissyD]

Yeah, the earlier you introduce food the less fussy they will be. When I was bf ing I always made sure to eat plenty of strong flavoured food as well to make sure it went in the milk to give dd a taste of other foods.

[ChairmumMiaow]

I guess I'm looking for backup to the "food till 1 is just for fun" thing

[ChairmumMiaow]

This is all in the context of weaning - her DD is having fruit and veg purees atm, and DS will be doing BLW when he's ready

[charchargabor]

It says it here on kellymom, but I can't find anywhere else at the mo. Will keep looking.

[tiktok]

Chairmum, I am not sure what you are looking for. Excl bf to 6 mths, intro of solids, continue bf for as long as mum and kid want.

Dior - you are thinking not of vitamins but iron, surely? Vitamins are not usually an issue for ages, though dark-skinned babies who do not get outside often may have a greater need for Vitamin D. From about 6 mths, babies' iron needs start to be greater but the gradual intro of solids meets this need without a problem in most cases.

What's the dispute?

[AbbeyA]

I read yesterday that someone exclusively breast fed their DC until they were 2 years old! (not on MumsNet) I didn't comment, there was no point because she was already defensive and said that some people had called it child abuse. I know that people bf past the age of 2 but I don't think that it is right to only give them breast milk.

[ChairmumMiaow]

I'm not explaining myself very well. My friend was worrying about giving her DD a balanced diet, and I was trying to say not to worry about giving all the food groups at only just over 6 months, and that she wouldn't need vitamin drops.

I just want to know that I'm saying the right thing, and would like to be able to back it up!

[AbbeyA]

I thought that breast milk was all they needed until 6mths and then they needed other foods but I can't remember where I heard that.

[tiktok]

Chairmum, I see what you mean....you mean she thinks she has to make sure the baby has x amount of fruit and veg, y amount of protein, z amount of carbs and so on....?

Difficult to know what to say, as when someone is anxious, common sense goes out the window sometimes. Just saying 'offer your baby what you're having in small, finger food type amounts and he will feed himself and don't sweat it' sounds very relaxed, but in fact this is actually what happens a lot of the time with perfectly sensible and healthy parents and their babies

Sorry - not much help. What's her HV like?

The department of health weaning leaflet (on line somewhere!) is actually pretty good.

[ComeOverAllFunny]

You're giving the right advice, ChairmumMiaow. We did BLW with our dd, she has never really been that fussed about food but loves bf, and we asked advice from the NHS breastfeeding people, NCT breastfeeding counsellors, looked on the internet and in books - and all said the same, they can get most of what they need from bf at this age. As someone said above, it's just iron that needs to be thought about. I think as long as they're having some meat/fish etc they should be fine though.

[ChukkyPig]

Chairmum I have heard the same as you - that after 6 months they have some food but not to be too worried about food groups etc as milk (breast milk in this case) is still providing pretty much everything they need.

Certainly never heard of anyone giving vitamin drops to a baby which is having plenty of milk and a few bits of food on top and is healthy.

[Martha200]

In America there is a group that believe in nothing but bf a child until one year old.

It causes a lot of disputes between mothers as one might imagine. Was chatting to an American friend about it recently.

Infact it's pretty interesting finding out how other people/cultures approach certain child care issues.

[ChukkyPig]

Martha I bet that's interesting. I was just thinking that in theory I would have no probs BF for a long time as I really enjoy it.

However in practice, if DD didn't have any solids at 11 mo (which she is now) she'd be on me all the time. The sheer quantity of food she puts away amazes me, and the thought of her getting all that from me is a bit daunting.

I also like the fact that I can leave her with DH or my parents occasionally and have a bit of a break. If I were still exclusively BF this really wouldn't be on the cards. I don't think I'd have been able to cope with exclusive BF until now TBH, even aside from any possible iron/vitamin/nutrient issues.