Hi, I am the mum of an almost 9-month old who is not enjoying the world of solids very much. Weaning started ok when he was 6-months old but after a bout of various winter viruses he totally went off solids and has not really got back into them, much preferring breastfeeding. He will only eat solids 3 hours or so after a breastfeed when he is very hungry.
I have been recommended by the health visitors and GP to cut down on the breastfeeding to increase his appetite for solids. I was breastfeeding on demand every couple of hours but have managed to push feeds to every 3 hours which I know is often for a 8.5 month old. I am trying to make the breastfeeds every 4 hours in the day to increase his appetite for solids but he is really not enjoying this and me withholding the breast is making him pretty upset, though I can get some solids down him when he is really hungry though it isn't a pleasurable experience for either of us. I have no idea whether I'm doing the right thing and feel that I am rushing him to go faster than he wants with solids but he is almost 9 months old and I have to go back to work in 3 months time. I would also like to be able to leave him with my partner for slightly longer periods of time as 2-hourly/3-hourly feeds are pretty limiting. I feel really mean withholding the breast-feeds though and lots of advice says to allow them to cut back on milk feeds when they're ready. I wish I didn't have the going back to work deadline but I thought a year on maternity would be ok. I have tried everything to coax him into solids, cooking delicious foods, a bit of finger foods,giving him foods he likes (stewed pear) etc. Have other mums experienced this and am I doing the right thing cutting the breastfeeds down and forcing him into the world of solids? I wish this was going smoother and was more enjoyable for us both because it feels like a bit of a battle of wills at the moment. Thanks for any advice.