'Proper' Food - grrrrr

[PDog]

Have been visiting my family this weekend and need to rant.

DD is 4.5mo and EBF - all my family have FF so have always thought I was bit strange for BF. Family act like I am feeding her the devils food

Have had to endure my dad telling me all weekend that I am a bad parent for not starting DD on solids yet and that she would enjoy some mash potato [hmmm] and then she will sleep through.

Wouldn't mind but have never complained about DD's night time sleep habits - she only wakes once. Also she is happy and thriving - 91st centile.

I had loads of problems with feeding in the early days and am so proud of myself for getting as far as I have and I still find it amazing that my milk has made all those lovely rolls of fat

Just would have been nice to have had some acknowledgement that DD is obviously thriving instead of been criticised for my parenting choices all weekend.

OK - rant over

well you can count on MN to tell you you're doing the right thing, and you're doing well to get through the problems - you are!
In his defence, your dad probably did wean at 3-4 months, or maybe earlier.

your dd is thriving because you are feeding her what is best - and bloodey well good on you for persevering when you've found it hard.

well done, and don't worry once she's weaned they'll start on about toilet training or something else - just stay assertive and rant here when required!

Ohhh I know what you mean. I have boxes of formula in the cupboard my mum bought for when I "changed my mind" about BF - that was six months ago Just nod and smile, nod and smile.

I got this too with DS - "he's a big boy, he must be needing some solid food" (FIL).

I fail to see the logic - he's a big boy because all he does is guzzle milk that is full of calories I would imagine. (He's not even that big - just over 50th centile anyway!)

DS is 7mo now and my new test is explaining why we don't need to add salt or sugar to his food....

Well done to you indeed

I think I had my first solids by about 3 months according to my baby book :O

You should have seen their faces when we explained we were going to do BLW

Just wanted to say well done you. I am just packing for week at the in-laws with my 91st centile 4 month yo EBF milk monster - dreading the inevitable comments!! To be fair to them, I took a book out from our local libraray on childcare (Penelope Leach), not realising it was over 20yrs out of date, and it did make me realise how much things have changed!

PDog I've found their much more open to BLW if you say 'we're not doing any of those modern purees, just going straight to 'real' food like people used to' My parent's thought it was a fab idea then. I'm the first to BF in our family for years and DD is just coming upto 6 months still EBF. Their all desperate to feed her dinner and give her a bottle but tough, my girl = my way!

And well done for getting through the problems and persevering (sp )

Well done PDog, you're doing brilliantly.

"But surely you are giving her water!! She'll dehydrate and become unwell without water". - MIL

Also similar comments about solid food, MIL desperate to feed her mashed banana - she's 12 weeks old!!

Sounds like I'm not the only one. I know advice has changed a lot but they seem to take it all so personally - as if because my parental choices are different I am some how criticising the way I was raised (which I'm not at all btw).

Also think they are upset I am depriving them of the opportunity to feed DD.

Just a bit pissed off to be called a bad parent for following latest advice. DH found some crystals in her nappy when changing DD. SM made some comment like 'is there nothing in your book about that?' in a snidey way. Would just appreciate some support that is all.

Luckily my PIL have been great and just enjoyed having lots of cuddles with DD rather than criticising.

PDog, the "nod and smile" advice is the best you can get

We had the faces about BLW but they were swiftly followed by exclamations at how well he was eating and eventually boasts to other grandparents