Grrrrr at my GP!! Question for exclusive breast-feeders (sorry, long)

[JacksFirstChristmasMama]

How long did you exclusively breast-feed your baby? (As in, no other food... or if other food, only tiny "getting to know other food" amounts).

My DS is almost 10 months old. He's pretty much exclusively breast-fed and not that interested in a lot of other food. He loves to grate gum apple bits, and carrot, and eats banana in one of those safe-baby-feeders. He occasionally takes a bit of mashed potato from my finger. But a lot of the time when I offer food, he pinches his lips shut and turns his head away.

At his four-month check-up my GP told me "ne needs food" by 6 months. I didn't really agree but what do I know, he's my first. So I tried some applesauce (which was fine) and then baby rice, which led to violent vomiting. Found out that some babies don't develop the enzyme amylase (to digest starch) until they are around 9 months and so grains are not always a good first food. But it took a bit for us to realize it was the baby rice and not a stomach bug. Once we'd figured that out, we went back to exclusive BF for a while. Then occasionally tried again with solids. But I think the vomiting epsiodes scared him off anything that came on a spoon, because he was definitely not as eager to try again! I checked for advice on Kellymom, and with the La Leche League, about how long I could exclusively breast-feed and was told at least up to a year, but to try and interest him in fruit and veggies so he knows they're ok. Sounded good to me.

At a recent visit (for me) GP asked about DS's food intake. So I explained. She was horrified and told me that there is no way breast milk was enough and that he needed food.

BTW, DS is almost 10 months old, 29 or 30" long, and weighs 23 or 24 pounds. He's been sitting upright by himself since 5 1/2 months old, has been cruising around the furniture for a few weeks, is starting to stand by himself for a few seconds, and has 6 teeth. He's bright and happy and chatty.
Sure looks like a thriving little boy to me.

So... how long has anyone exclusively breast-fed? And if he continues to be not too interested in solids for a while longer, how much longer is exclusively breast-feeding ok?
Any help would be appreciated, she made me feel like a crap mum!

What is the quote again? 'food is fun until the age of one'

Tell gp to bollocks to mind his own.

By all means keep offering ds bits of food but as far as I am aware, he can be ebf untill the age of one

Oh, I should probably add that DS is clearly satisfied with nursing, doesn't act hungry after a feed, is gaining weight just fine (he averages about a pound a month), and he seems to love the boob... he's a very sucky baby, ha ha, nursing is his favourite thing. He's very cuddly. What I mean to say is, I don't get the feeling from him that he's hungry or not satisfied with my milk. It seems to be rather potent stuff, he was born at 7 pounds 7 ounces, and weighed nearly 12 lbs at our 6 week check.

So he'll be one on Feb 13 next year - what if he's still not into food by then? Someone recently told me food is just a supplement until age 2... I just need to know I'm not depriving him or doing something that's bad!! I keep trying to offer him bits, but a lot of the time he turns his head away And maybe we're scared too, his vomiting episodes were awful!

Im not sure about up until the age of 2. I know it will be hard, but try not to be so scared in front of him when offering him something to eat, he will pick up on that and think he needs to be scared too.
But, you are deff not depriving him of anything.
BTW, What is a safety baby feeder?

Do you let him pick food up himslef at all? I mean, chunks/stick/whatever of food?
DD was not interested in purees at all but adored fingerfood. Maybe blw might be the route for you to take?

I've wondered if he's not into purees. Tried offering slightly mushed-up peas the other night. Nope, he made the usual "icky baby face". Sigh.

A safe-baby-feeder is a mesh bag that attaches to a handle, that you put frozen or regular fruit and veggies in, so that babies can gum at it and sort of mush up what's in there, without the risk of choking. It gets a bit gross but in the end, he does suck most everything out of it (frozen bananas, yum). He does love gumming/ grating apple and carrot bits, but sometimes he forgets to swallow and then some of it goes down the worng way and I have to stick my fingers in his mouth (ouch, those 6 teeth!!) and swipe a goobery lot of mushed apple/ carrot out... ewwww.

What about chopping a banana up for him? Or something soft for him to eat himself without the safe feeder thingymabob?

Done that. Loves banana. Ditto apple and carrot. But so far, that's it. Oh, avocado, too.
Is that enough for now? What else should Ibe trying? Bear in mind we want to stay away from grains until we know he can handle them.

Anything!!! Unless there are known allergies on either side of your family, you can try him on almost everything you eat

Home-made potato wedges have always been a firm favourite here!!!

Do you let him get messy when eating? You could also try him with spag bol.

Sorry I press post then think of something else to say

If he doesnt eat whatever you give him, dont fuss over it. Just take it away and forget it until the next time

I'd put down a tarp and let him have at it if that would help... I don't care if he needs a bath after every meal, TBH - just want to make sure I'm not depriving him. Thanks for everything so far, you're making me feel lots better.

Whatever you think, do not think you are depriving him, because you are not. Like I said, you can try him with almost anything, presuming there are no allegies.

I would look into baby led weaning and then he can decide. My 12 month old eats very small amounts compared to what her puree fed older brother was having at this age. Like a whole day might be something like - 3 bites of cheese, 4 raspberries, one tiny blob of scrambled egg, 3 blueberries, 3 bites of banana. But she is in charge and I offer variety. I see meals as opportunities for sensory experience and fun. The only time she ever sees a spoon near her face is when I am offering yoghurt and then she takes the spoon from me.
If you haven't got a family of history of allergies I wouldn't stay away from much. Grains are a big family and rice is not the same as oats, quinoa or even wheat.
With baby led weaning very little is off-limits except for honey, nuts, excessive salt. I wouldn't offer. I would just eat your meal with him and have some stuff in front of him that he can pick and choose from as he wishes.
You are not depriving him. If your GP is saying 'solids BY 6 months' it is pretty clear what page they are on. You've obviously taken advice. If your GP is having a panic about iron you could always do a blood test.
I'm not sure I would agree with the idea that food is only a supplement until 2 but I certainly think you've got plenty of time. It sounds as though you've been very responsive to his needs.

Thanks for all the lovely replies so far - bumping for the daytime crowd!
And I just wanted to reiterate my original question, how long did any of you exclusively breast-fed?
Thank you!

Bump...

Hi JacksFirstChristmasMama

Sorry, I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if I am repeating.

My ds starting troughing down food after 6 months of exclusive bf, so I don't have any first hand experience of this.

But, at the LLL group that I go to which focusses on older babies and toddlers, this is a topic that comes up quite a lot. (I've been going a long time! DS is 3 and still feeds)

One mother I can think of had a child who barely ate solid food until around 14 months, and another mother for roughly the same length of time.

They both always recommend this book, however, I haven't read it, so can't give you a personal recommendation, but I have read quite a few LLL books and have found them helpful.

And your GP is talking nonsense btw.

DD ate very small amounts until 12 months or so. She much preferred breastmilk, and still does really. She went through a big burst of eating after that, then had a big bout of illness culminating in a tummy bug last week. So she's pretty much back to exclusive bfing with a small amount of solids. They know what they want/need imo, and as long as you offer healthy foods there shouldn't be a problem

We all ( the 2 ds's and I) sit at the table evrymeal time and ds 2 -13 months - has bits of food put in front of him and he helps himself. We have done this since about 28 weeks as he showed no reall interest in food before then. In the begining I didn;t make a fuss, give him gadgets I just gave him the choice and control as to what he ate. It's very messy and I don;t tend to do this at other peoples' houses but he's used to the routine of how we eat and seems to enjoy the social aspect as much as the exploration of food.

He was a big boy at birth (1/2 oz off 10lbs) so I thought I would have to wean him early but no, he showed no interest in food until 28 ish weeks where he tentatively started picking up, squishing and eventually putting some in his mouth. At this time his milk intake was still phenomenal as he was still relying on the milk to fill him up whilst learning about food.

Baby-led weaning is very 'in' in our circle. Out of the toddlers I know really well, two are great eaters, one survives on fresh air, olives and as many chocolate buttons as she can con out of people and one gave up on it when a nanny came into the family. They are all strong, healthy and intelligent, although the one with the nanny is definitely the cleanest. The babies were all allowed to BF as much as they wanted to and eat anything they felt like in addition. Here is a link; there are lots of sites babyledweaning.blogware.com/ Paediatritian v doubtful but hospital BF advisor v much in favour.

avocado is a fantastic food for him to be having, google avocado and benefits and you will see all the reasons why

My 19mo eats very little (both in variety and amount) and still bf a lot. I'd be lying if I said it didn't worry me a bit but he is growing fine, developing well and happy and healthy.

wow, Jacks, I could have written exaclty that post, my ds is the same in EVERY way! (except he is not quite as heavy) I've been so worried and come across exact same concerns from docs and hvs.

I've only just realised its ok. I have every weaning book. Have cut out every possible allergen from his diet and mine, I know everything there is to know about infant nutrition now.

I wish I had read your post 3 months ago.

he has just started eating bits of meat and veg and the odd piece of apple.

apparently iron is better absorbed from breast milk, and eating some foods inhibits iron absorption.

I would say my ds has been ebf till 9 months and has now started eating bits, like other babies were eating at 7 months. But he still only eats tiny amounts and certainly not every meal time. just a couple of tiny spoons, and a bit of finger food (a mini rice cake, tiny bit of apple)

I have an 8 month ds, i offer food three times a dy if he is well and happy (not bothering atm as has chicken pox and he finds it stressful)

some days he eats something from all three 'meals other days nothing, everything i offer is finger food

fruit and cooked veg (no salt)
bread, polenta (bruscetta style)
cheese and eggs

Thanks all - you're making me feel lots better!!
BTW, are oats and rice the same grain families or different? Anybody know?

He will (and obviously is) get everything he needs from breastmilk. I don't know who it was who said if you didn't look at his intake would you be happy? If the answer is yes then don't worry.

About "food's for fun until they're one" I always add but they're one until they're two! BM is complete whatever age they are.

I would definitely ditch the purees and baby safe feeder now - even AK says they should be for two weeks. Give him a selection of whatever you're eating, put it on his tray while you eat and leave him to it.