I want to continue BLW but am having parent worry/doubts that I need to get off my chest...!

[td5211]

I started BLW with enthusiasm and think it's a great concept, my baby is just over 7 months and seems to have taken to it very well... but I'm now starting to have parent worry/panic about whether it's the right thing, is he getting enough nutrition? should I spoon feed a bit? Also after 6 months babies need a little need extra iron than what you can provide in your breast milk so is he getting that? Plus I've just had an argument with hubby about giving 'baby cereal' (for iron fortification) every morning on the advice of a health nurse. Also my baby was born quite small at 37 weeks exactly so should I consider this even though he has gained very well. Also he is taking longer, better! naps in the day...but I'm thinking is this because he's not getting enough nutrition/iron etc (although I think it's because he is just much more active now in his wakeful periods). Lots of questions I know but if anyone has thoughts that could help it would be much appreciated. I have the BLW book and cookbook and have been checking things but because it's a relatively new concept I don't have many other references. I'm english but am in Canada where it's almost completely unheard of so not much support....
Thanks!

He is fine :)

The iron in your milk is very easy for him to access so as long as you are offering him a varied diet he will be fine.

What Indith said :)

What Indith said.

At 7 months, the bulk of your DS's nutrition should be coming from milk anyway - solids are just a 'top-up' to that (for now) if you like. There's absolutely no need to give any kind of baby cereal or otherwise if your baby is getting plenty of milk and a balanced range of foods.

It's worth bearing in mind that with BLW not a lot seems to go in (but you can see what's gone in from what comes out!) but then you can't tell how much pureed food is coming out undigested because it's the same sort of texture at each end. Just because food is going in, doesn't necessarily mean the body is doing much with it!

What everyone else has said. Have a look on kellymom at iron levels. Apparently it is extremely rare for a bf baby to be anaemic.

Oh thanks everyone, I feel much better. I'm new to this chat thread so hope this message is received by all.

Everyone on the thread will have seen it and welcome to MN [hsmile]