Breastfeeding/Solids questions

[mamathomas]

(Originally posted in 'Life With A Babe' but didn't get much traffic)

Hi all,

DD is 6-months-old and is EBF. She is starting to show interest in solids so we thought we might let her try some avocado this weekend. My questions are about a growing babe and continuing breastfeeding. I plan to go as long as she wants to but am not sure how that will fit in with her eating.

Will she gradually start to nurse less? It's my plan to always offer the breast first because I don't want to stop breastfeeding, and I know at this stage food is just something I want her to experiment with, not rely on for nutrition. But how does it work with older babes? Do you continue to offer breast first, or do you offer food first at some point?

Also, since we'll be exploring food, I thought I would let her play with a cup too. Should I offer her water or express some milk for her? Does she need a little water as I introduce solids?

I guess my real concern (as I feel myself tearing up a little) is that she will stop breastfeeding. I know she won't nurse forever and she will eventually need food for it's nutritional value, but I'm struggling with how to balance it all.

Any advice, thoughts, tips would be very helpful!

Thanks

[Megan73]

I really understand how you're feeling - I was a bit tearful when I offered my son solids, feeling that his days as a nursling were coming to an end.
BUT he's now 14 months and still loves nursing!
Don't worry, mama, she'll be your nursling for a long time to come.
What I would suggest is always nursing first and following her cues when offering solids. I mostly did baby-led solids (google baby-led weaning) and a small amount of spoonfeeding just to make sure my son was getting some iron-rich foods. He didn't really actually eat much until he was about 10 months and got the pincer grip.
Kellymom.com says BF babies don't really need water so you could express some for cup learning or offer a very small amount of water. An open cup is least likely to interfere with breastfeeding. But unless you have some reason to need her to take EBM in a cup, what's the rush?
I think it was around 11 months that I stopped nursing first at lunch because I give him solids then nurse down for a nap. I still nurse before breakfast and dinner.

[Burnindinner]

My just-about 11 month old DS loves milkies. And eats like a horse. I swear, I have no idea how that child can consume so much food!

With him, we just offered a little of age-appropriate foods when we were eating. Sometimes he'd eat more and sometimes less. At least until 12 months food just for exploration anyway. They aren't getting much if any calories from it (the diapers will prove this point - it comes out the same way it went in!).

For drinking, I just put water in a sippy cup. He has yet to figure out how it works, so I don't worry about him overhydrating or anything. He really can't get more than an ounce out.

[Burnindinner]

Oh, and I never had an order, although I have heard most people say they bf first, then do solids after. Like I said, though, it hasn't impacted the number of times DS bf's during the day!

[sh0rtchica]

my DS is 7 months, and we started baby-led weaning (meaning solid intro) at 6 mos. he still nurses as much as he always did, though he LOVES eating. i give him a rice cake and he 'eats' the entire thing. and by 'eats,' i mean that he bites and chews (no teeth yet) and pushes most of it out with his tongue he'll chow down 3 or 4 steamed carrots too, along with a wide variety of food. i was a little worried about losing our bfing relationship too, but as long as you're going the BLW route, solids are really just practice at first. i have a (mainstream) friend with a DS one week older than mine, and he only nurses a few times a day anymore because he gets several jars of babyfood a day. so i think if you go that route, you might see a difference. but every baby is unique, and i think it's best to trust your LO and your own instincts. GL!