To think DC *is* ebf?

[MulderitsmeX]

Please help me settle an argument with DH.

Dc is 8 months so has some solilds /pouches / BLW which I introduced just after 6 months. All his milk is breast milk. Is this ebf?

DH and I saw some BF articles about BF rates and were confused whether EBF means no formula or no solids/formula. If the latter surely no baby post 6 months is ebf? (Unless medical reasons why)

It matters because the OP wants to feel smug surely?

According to the world health organisation, it means receiving only breast milk.

I got confused by a health visitor saying this; she asked about his weaning so we talked about meals and then asked if he was breastfed, then "exclusively breastfed". I clarified that she just meant no formula, which she did. He has cheese and butter too and obviously I don't make those out of my breastmilk. I can't imagine churning it. Nor adding lime, like a paneer.

It's a bit of a meaningless term- technically it means nil my mouth other than bm. Of course, after six moths the advice is to gradually introduce solids (along with vitd, which bm alone cannot provide in adequate levels post 6m.) It sounds like you are following WHO advice very well indeed and you should be very content with what you are doing and less bothered about labelling it!

The responses indicate people aren't really sure either OP!

I'm perfectly sure
So is the WHO:
www.who.int/elena/titles/exclusive_breastfeeding/en/

Thanks guys seems like it's not really clear. When the doctor / HV asks i sort of describe what he has and they seem a bit mixed with their definitions too.

Just wondered if I had misunderstood when reading articles as it's never really clearly explained even within the article.

From the World Health Organisation:

Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given – not even water – with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.

Like you'd expect, exclusive means exclusive.

The ways in which mothers can be made to feel inadequate never cease to evolve.

Sorry dahlietta missed your reply above. That solves it then thanks :)

Pumpkin - why do half the threads on this board matter? It's just people wondering abiut random things.

mrex- my HV said I should use my BM to make porridge, seeing as expressing is quite tricky for me there's no way i could manage that although a friend made little icecubes out of it- assume like a lolly or something. Making cheese would definitely by next level though haha

I didn’t say ebf with either child once we introduced solids at 6 months even thought they drank nothing else. My second child wouldn’t drink anything else other than breastmilk until 14 months old, it’d be weird to describe him ebf at that age. It isn’t exclusive if they are eating food.

It is clear, it is not EBF post weaning and I’ve no idea why you care so much.

Bertram - nope :)

Ebf until solids introduced. My dd is 2 and has only ever had my milk and I still feed her but she isn’t ebf as she has food.

@BertramKibbler hit a nerve did it? The OP is asking a genuine question. Jesus wept. You can’t even talk or ask about breastfeeding now for fear of ‘offending’ those who FF.

Once weaning starts no baby is ebf!

Unless what’s in the pouch come from your breast, then of course it’s not ebf

I'd say EBF means that nothing apart from breastmilk has ever passed his lips.
Which means that my DC ceased to be EBF when they had Calpol after their jabs.
However, it's clear there are varying definition, so if it matters (e.g. in medical situation) you would be better off explaining clearly that he is breast fed, does not have formula but does eat solids.

Agree with those who are saying that "ebf" is generally understood to stand for "exclusively breastfed" which means fed only on breastmilk, nothing else, including no solids.

Which means that my DC ceased to be EBF when they had Calpol after their jabs

That doesn’t match with the WHO definition, which makes an exception for medicines

Exclusively breast fed means exclusively breast fed. No solids, nothing. So no you're not exclusively breastfeeding but you were until you started solids.

Who says infants should be fed breast milk and nothing else (elf) until 6months. If that's not possible, formula. Then other food can be introduced, weaning. This doesn't mean you have to stop giving milk, most people carry on bf or giving formula, that's not extended. Extended is when you are still bf after the child is weaned and most people have given up, after 2years is more unusual.

OP you seem to be confused by what BLW means - just finger food and no puree, which is what we called it in the olden days before all the BLW bollocks anyway.

Ebf not flicking elf

F.ing not flicking flicking spellcheck!

'Extended' feeding is also bollocks not the correct term, it's natural term BF which the vast majority don't do.

Absolutely Omega16. Calling it 'extended' breastfeeding makes it sound like something special when it's entirely natural.