Do BF babies need extra iron etc at some point? Theoretically, how long could you exclusively BF? (BLW question)

[lowrib]

When do babies need extra sources of iron or other vitamins / minerals other than breast milk?

I'm keen to give baby-led weaning a go, but a friend is trying to put me off as she says BFing after 6 months won't give enough nutrition. My instincts say this is wrong but who's right? Can anyone point me to any research to show to my friend?

My understanding of BLW is that you introduce food that babies can eat themselves from about 6 months, but that you still BF as the primary source of nutrition at first, so it's all about experiencing food and eating rather than necessarily getting nutrition in the begining, building up to actual meals over time. (Please correct me if I'm wrong oh wise MNetters!)

I thought breast milk provided all your baby needed and that theoretically you could carry on exclusively BFing for some time. Is there any research to say when your baby actually needs nutrition from other sources?

TIA

anyone?

I don't have the link to hand but the stores of iron babies are born with start declining after six months. They don't become zero at six months. As far as I can recall, the store lasts essentially a year, giving you time to introduce other sources of iron along with breastmilk.

Milk should be a baby's main nutrition for the first year. So whether breastfed or bottle fed a baby still needs plenty of milk alongside the solids.

I found that both of mine liked chewing on pieces of meat at the early stages of weaning, even though they weren't well endowed on the teeth front. Their gums are very hard as the teeth are just below the surface.

If you don't eat meat, broccoli is a good source of iron, as are beans, pulses and dried apricots. Tofu is also good.

This is an easy to understand article about this issue and includes citations. I think it may have been a link from www.kellymom.com. Further info at Kellymom with research, etc.