How long can I EBF?

[BabyMae09]

DD is almost 7 months, and she doesn't want any food besides breast milk When we went to the Ped. last week, I told him that she doesn't really like any foods, and that whenever I try to feed her 'people food' she gets awful tummy aches and goes without pooping for 2-4 days, he said, 'well, she can't get all her nutrition needs met from breast milk much beyond 6-7 months. So keep EBF for another month, or two tops, then if she's still having issues, come see me.'

She LOVES BFing and so do I I don't want to give her 'people food' yet, because I feel like that will mean she's not a baby anymore

But, now I'm worried that her nutritional needs won't be met much longer

So, how long did you/can you EBF?

TIA

[Bokonon]

Some moms whose babies have severe food allergies don't even start solids until 12 months. I know a lot of doctors have a tendency to freak out when solids aren't started and mastered by precisely 6 months, but really, it's the rare baby who is eating a large amount and variety of foods by 7 months of age. With all due respect, your ped. is way off base, and if he asks again, I would press him to provide research regarding nutritional deficiency by delaying solids.

[GoldmanBaby09]

Here is the link to kellymom about extended breastfeeding: link

I think you ped is way off base as well. Your breastmilk changes to meet the growing needs of your child. I plan on delaying solids as long as possible.

[larzanna]

My Dr said up to a year they need nothing other than BM (but you can give em' food at 6 months if you want to).
I figure by a year DS will be interested in food.

[DCMama01]

Our babies aren't all born at exactly 40 weeks gestation, some earlier/some later. Therefore, I don't buy that 6 months is the appropriate time for all babies to be on solids. Some might have systems mature enough at 5 months...others might take 10 months before they'll take solids. I plan on following my daughter's cues. I'm not going to refuse her solids before 6 months if she's showing signs on her own that she's ready. I wouldn't force them on her either if she's 7 months and not showing interest either.

I know babies in the same immediate family who ranged from 4-12 months before they wanted solids. They are all perfectly normal toddlers/children.

[crunchy_mommy]

I agree with the other posters, I don't think you need to worry!!

My DS is going on 11 months and only has small tastes of whatever we're eating... he's slowly eating more each day but even now the amount of solids he eats is probably no more than 1-2 tablespoons a day tops (though I've never measured it!)

You could start offering small pieces of whatever you're eating if she's interested... My DS's first few tastes of solids were swiped from our plates lol. But I wouldn't stress and if you & she aren't ready yet then there's no need to rush it!! Your milk will be just fine... in many countries babies EBF for the entire first year.

[ShadowMoon]

DS was EBF'd for 6 months. 98% of his diet was breast milk until 9 months. He didn't start eating solids regularly until his 1st birthday. We followed his lead and now he's a healthy and happy and food loving 3 year old! You've got some great advice already. Offer some foods if she show interest, continue to BF, and follow your DD's lead. I wouldn't worry.

[LadyCatherine185]

DS was 99.99999% ebf until around 9 mo. 95% until 12 mo. Now at 16 mo about 60-70%. He didn't take an interest in solids until about 14/15 mos. He is a happy, healthy 28 lbs. He has always been large for his age/height (90th % for weight, 50-75th for height) and has been ahead on all milestones.

[hollytheteacher]

My ds was pretty much 100% EBF until 14 monthsish. He started having tastes here and there around 7 months but didn't even eat a "bite" of something until closer to 12 months.

[annekh23]

My DD is almost 7mths. Her doctor said at our 6mth visit that we should start solids between 6mths and a year, but that it looked like she wasn't ready yet, based on her appearing to still have the tongue thrust reflex.

She definitely enjoys tasting things, but evidence of anything having been swallowed is non existant!

My other kids were eating a little bit more at this stage, but then they didn't have the tongue issues DD has had, so I'm not particularly surprised it's taking her time to figure it out. We'll continue to allow her to sticking appropriate things in her mouth and see what happens....