BM turning to water after one.....

[BabySmurf]

I went to a dietitian to try to help me figure out what I CAN be eating while figuring out what DS is allergic to (so far we definitely can't do dairy or soy).  DS is 8.5 months old, and when she asked me when I was planning to wean, I told her that I was planning on doing child lead weaning, to which she responded "well, it's great that you want to continue BF'ing, but after a year the milk just isn't......." and she kind of trailed off.  I waited for her to continue, but she changed the subject.  I also told her that DS is still basically EBF other than some accidental ingestion, and she was kind of concerned about that too, and handed me the "standard" chart about what a baby his age should be eating. 

So basically her theory is that I should really concentrate on getting DS to eat more solids until he is eating the accepted amount per day (partly so that he doesn't become a picky eater!), and wean him by one.  If he's not eating enough of the right foods, then I would have to supplement with vitamins, etc. 

My thought is that I should keep doing what I am doing in terms of introducing solids. (which is offering them whenever I eat something that is appropriate for him as well as attempting a couple purees).  I also think that since his diet is so limited, that continuing to breast feed is hugely important so that he can continue to be nourished without supplements! Am I wrong? I thought that the dietitian would be happy that I would continue to BF...maybe I'm just naive. 

She also seemed to think that I wouldn't be able to handle BFing my DS on such a limited diet, and seemed to be more worried about me than DS (even though as she struggled to come up with food ideas to close my diet gap, i kept telling her all the different things i was doing - i guess I really didn't need to see her after all).

So I know that some of you have done this and succeeded...what are some tricks to make it easier on my body? favorite foods that helped you get vitamins and calories? were your kids "late" eaters too? what did you say to the pedi when they asked about LO's eating habits?

I know this is a silly question, but what about eating enough to nurse and support another pregnancy? I know I probably won't see AF for some time yet, but we area not preventing more babies.

please talk to me! TIA :)

[scsigrl]

1)  Find a BF friendly dietician who has a clue.  This one doesn't on many levels.

2)  So you are ONLY avoiding dairy and soy?  Really?  She couldn't counsel you on eating with only those two limitations?  She needs to find a new job.

3)  Your baby doesn't need ANY solid food for now.  It's all just practice till at LEAST 1.  Even then it's hit or miss with kids.  

4) My kids were "late" eaters.  They eat far better than MOST kids I know (DS had 2 helping of butternut ginger soup for lunch today.   Yes, BUTTERNUT SOUP!)  Don't buy what she's selling.

5) I nursed while pregnant with both kids on a much more limited diet.  You won't have any problems as long as you are eating healthy and enough.  You will be just fine!

[BabySmurf]

yay! i'm really glad that DS's poops finally normalized the day before i went in...i was going to ask her about a total elimination diet...i think that may have been disaterous!

thanks for your words...none of the Mommies I know have been through this!

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by scsigrl 

1)  Find a BF friendly dietician who has a clue.  This one doesn't on many levels.

2)  So you are ONLY avoiding dairy and soy?  Really?  She couldn't counsel you on eating with only those two limitations?  She needs to find a new job.

3)  Your baby doesn't need ANY solid food for now.  It's all just practice till at LEAST 1.  Even then it's hit or miss with kids.  

4) My kids were "late" eaters.  They eat far better than MOST kids I know (DS had 2 helping of butternut ginger soup for lunch today.   Yes, BUTTERNUT SOUP!)  Don't buy what she's selling.

5) I nursed while pregnant with both kids on a much more limited diet.  You won't have any problems as long as you are eating healthy and enough.  You will be just fine!

Yes, all this.

My daughter refused almost all solids until after about 12 months.  She eventually caught on.  It wasn't a big deal.  Frustrating, yes, but not a problem healthwise.  My kids were both preemies and I didn't start them on solids until they were 6 months adjusted age anyway, so my son was 8 months when he started.  He's 6 years old now and has a very well-developed palate.  In other words, he'll eat almost anything.  His favorite fast food is an apple pecan chicken salad at Wendy's - with bleu cheese and pomegranate vinaigrette dressing.

I was dairy-free and soy-free for over 6 months when DD was an infant, and never had any shortage of food.  In fact, I still ate so much that I didn't lose any weight like I thought I might (and hoped I would!).  It's challenging at first but certainly not impossible.

Your dietician doesn't really sound like she understands actual nutrition.  It's not that complicated.  BM = good.  :)

[BabySmurf]

yeah, i'm actually feeling pretty good about things (thank you MDC!!)...i'm just really surprised that she wasn't more supportive of the BF'ing...my pedi isn't particularly supportive of it either (not un -supportive though).  i figured that both are supposed to be interested in my child's best health, and both are more concerned about whether or not i will have a picky eater, and that i won't be able to handle it.  both of them suggested switching to that uber expensive formula  to make things easier.  :(

i never realized that there were so many different "ways" to do things in terms of raising a baby.....and that doing things this "way" was this "strange".