can't pump enough for cereal!! - Page 2

[bri276]

right, if your baby is eagerly leaning towards a spoon with their mouth open, that's a pretty darn good indicator that he wants it! and when they don't want it, it's very obvious also, they'll turn their head away.

I think people with kids who aren't that into solids don't "get" that some babies LOVE solid food. and that some babies, like mine for instance, will still get 30-35 oz of breastmilk per day and still have room for solids. In fact as an EP'er, if I don't give her cereal w/ fruit, at night she'll be up longer and I'll have to pump an extra time. She loves the solids, they're good for her, she's still getting tons of breastmilk- sounds like a similar situation.

[orangecanoe]

Mama--is it possible that you're just not getting a good letdown with the pump? I only say that because I only pumped with my first in order to mix with cereal or thin avocado and only got an ounce here and there. Now that I have to exclusively pump for dd2, I realize that at times...especially in the morning, I can get as much as 2-3oz *before* letdown if my breasts are more full. I always hated pumping the first time around....it's just now that I realize that I probably almost never got a true letdown before. This time, when I started having to pump more for dd2, I would pump on one side while dd1 nursed on the other and got into a routine that made getting a letdown much easier. Could you try pumping while he nursed?

[Fiercemama]

Originally Posted by lisavasmom

If I don't feed him cereal, what option would I have? He doesn't have any teeth yet..

Anything that you can manage to mash against the top of your mouth with your tongue. You'd be surprised what they can manage. Soft fruits and veggies like banana and avocado or steamed/baked sweet potato. There are lots of steamed veggies, like carrots, that babies can manage.

[alegna]

The other problem with feeding babies under 1 a whole lot of solids is that they need a LOT of breastmilk to get the nutrients and fat they need. Baby brains need a lot of fat to grow. Every 1/4 cup of cereal, every jar of purees that you're spooning in is that much precious tummy space that is filled with something that is LESS than breastmilk.

-Angela

[lisavasmom]

It could be that I do have a problem with let down. Sometimes it seems as if it takes forever for that to happen. I may try the pumping while he nurses suggestion as well, thank you for that!

I would like to say that I have always enjoyed using this forum as a sounding board for advice because I read Mothering, and feel it's a wonderful resource for information on my growing children. I also like to think that it's readers are people like me, and just want to make informed choices about the options for raising our kids.

With that said, I don't appreciate the comments about my feeding my baby 'a whole lot of solids' and that 'Every 1/4 cup of cereal, every jar of purees that you're spooning in is that much precious tummy space that is filled with something that is LESS than breastmilk.'

First of all, I'm of the belief that if you have a parenting method that works for you, then great, go with it! I do not throw stones.

I should say that I believe many people start solids too early, thinking that it may help with sleep, etc. I know that to be false. I started both my children on solids when they were physically ready, and not by age. My dd was older than my son when I started her on solids, because it was by what she could DO not how old she was.

There is also the arguement that it's not a good idea to wait too long to start them either. To miss a point of developmental readiness makes it harder to learn. There is the thinking that a fully bf baby could run out of iron stores by the second 6 months, hence the iron fortified cereal.

Angela, obviously you didn't start your dd on solids until she was a year for your reasons, and I (in your view) am 'spooning in a whole lot of something that is LESS than breastmilk' into my child because I want to.....? I don't know. Where you get your information, I don't know. But you seem to come off as awfully judgemental. Perhaps I'm taking it too personal, but the tone is condescending. I just was looking for a friendly forum to get some ideas, and I as always, appreciate the mamas who take the time to give me their sound and tested advice. You are all appreciated!

[alegna]

Originally Posted by lisavasmom

Angela, obviously you didn't start your dd on solids until she was a year for your reasons, and I (in your view) am 'spooning in a whole lot of something that is LESS than breastmilk' into my child because I want to.....? I don't know. Where you get your information, I don't know. But you seem to come off as awfully judgemental. Perhaps I'm taking it too personal, but the tone is condescending. I just was looking for a friendly forum to get some ideas, and I as always, appreciate the mamas who take the time to give me their sound and tested advice. You are all appreciated!

Actually I started my dd on solids at 6 months. Live and learn. Like it or not soilds ARE less perfect than breastmilk. They have fewer calories, most have significantly less fat and they are not as easily digested.

-Angela

[TurboClaudia]

lisavasmom: i agree with almost all of what you wrote. a very thoughtful and respectful and mature post.

~claudia