Bizarre article - Page 2

[Momtwice]

Originally Posted by Momily

Interestingly, I had a child who was NOT ready for solids at 5 or 6 months and who NEVER grabbed at food off my plate until almost 9 months.

Same here, for even longer.

I know there are complex factors about why eating disorders exist, (abuse/control issues and other issues) but I have to wonder if parents' forcing food into babies, and panicking if a child won't eat from a spoon by exactly 6 months, are partly responsible.

[lifescholar]

Originally Posted by Momily

Yes, but he's very clear that he's talking about babies for whom exclusive breastfeeding isn't an option due to low supply or other issues. What I'm reading into this is that if your child's over 3 months and you need to supplement, and you've tried everything to increase supply, improve your breastfeeding, then maybe some banana or avocado or even cereal mixed with breastmilk is a better choice than adding formula and risking developing a preference for a bottle.

That's what I get from it too, although I must admit, it's taken a LOT of times reading it to SEE that's what he's saying (I have his book, too, and was shocked when I read what he said about solids).

As someone who's breastfeeding relationship WAS ruined by solids, I really REALLY hesitate to promote solids very much in the first year. But, my son was 22 lbs. @ 5 months, and started nursing every 1.5 hours during the day, and every 2 hours at night, and after almost a week, I had to do something.

Looking back, I don't think it was the early start, it was the WAY in which solids were offered (and pushed) that made the real difference.

[BCFD]

I started reading posts before I read the article So, wait, this is by Dr. Jack Newman??? He is the man that taught me the advanced protocol for inducing lactation for adoption. And honestly, you NEVER EVER EVER EVER have to use a bottle if you use formula. Dr. Newman has many videos on the net that shows how to use a SNS or Lact-Aid as to not destroy a nursing relationship. I used formula for 6 months exclusively. Not one bottle! Even when I was so ready to throw in the towel at 2 months and just use a bottle because the Lact-Aid is a pain in the arse to clean! Even when I was in public with a feisty 8 month old baby who didn't want to stay latched (ever try to reposition a screaming, flailing, 8 month old baby in the middle of a very busy restaurant on your breast *WITH* a Lact-Aid : : : I'm really surprised that nobody ever asked me to leave their establishment!)

Personally, I think 3 months is too soon to begin solids. With my 3 children we started at 5 months, 6 months, and 7 months. My 8 month old baby (7 months gestational age) still to this day is not really fond of eating off of a spoon and prefers the bottle. Go figure!

Dr. Newman is my hero. I just wanted to add that. :

[Momtwice]

But, my son was 22 lbs. @ 5 months, and started nursing every 1.5 hours during the day, and every 2 hours at night, and after almost a week, I had to do something.

And sadly, moms don't hear often enough that this can be completely normal.

[prettypixels]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

From the article:



I'm very surprised to see that. I'd think he would be advocating formula in such cases where breastmilk really wasn't sufficient, as opposed to solids that would provide very incomplete nutrition.

Also, mamaana, the "he was grabbing food off my plate, so he was clearly ready to eat" reasoning makes no sense to me. Babies grab all sorts of things and shove them in their mouths.

I'm very surprised to see a doctor who appears to be very pro-breastfeeding advocating something that a) can interfere with the breastfeeding relationship (I'm specifically thinking of his statement that it doesn't matter whether or not you offer breast or solids first) and b) would lead to space in a baby's stomach being filled with subpar nutrition, when it could be filled with complete nutrition. It's even more surprising to me to see folks on a Lactivism board agreeing with that.

I think you should repost a bit more of what he said, to be clear.

it may be reasonable to start solids as early as 3 months of age. However, it may be possible, with help, to continue breastfeeding alone and have the baby less hungry and/or growing more rapidly... There is no advantage to giving artificial baby milk (formula) and there may be some disadvantages. The baby who is not satisfied completely at the breast may start to take more and more from the bottle, and end up refusing to take the breast.

He is talking about a specific situation; where moms supply is not keeping up with babies needs, starting solids as an alternative to formula. Not just starting solids at 3 months for the heck of it. Honestly it would be hard to find a doctor who is more of a lactivist, better informed, and more just a supporter of breastfeeding moms, than Jack Newman.

[prettypixels]

Originally Posted by BCFD

I started reading posts before I read the article So, wait, this is by Dr. Jack Newman??? He is the man that taught me the advanced protocol for inducing lactation for adoption. And honestly, you NEVER EVER EVER EVER have to use a bottle if you use formula. Dr. Newman has many videos on the net that shows how to use a SNS or Lact-Aid as to not destroy a nursing relationship. I used formula for 6 months exclusively. Not one bottle! Even when I was so ready to throw in the towel at 2 months and just use a bottle because the Lact-Aid is a pain in the arse to clean! Even when I was in public with a feisty 8 month old baby who didn't want to stay latched (ever try to reposition a screaming, flailing, 8 month old baby in the middle of a very busy restaurant on your breast *WITH* a Lact-Aid : : : I'm really surprised that nobody ever asked me to leave their establishment!)

Personally, I think 3 months is too soon to begin solids. With my 3 children we started at 5 months, 6 months, and 7 months. My 8 month old baby (7 months gestational age) still to this day is not really fond of eating off of a spoon and prefers the bottle. Go figure!

Dr. Newman is my hero. I just wanted to add that. :

Well, you're *my* hero for sticking it out so long with a lact-aid.

[wannabe]

Maybe it was written before they found that starting solids so early increases the risk of illness like ear infections, pneumonia, etc?

[BCFD]

off topic, but thanks!

Originally Posted by prettypixels

Well, you're *my* hero for sticking it out so long with a lact-aid.

: Aww shucks. You know...I would have done it longer, but my relationship with my oldest daughter was really being damaged because I was constantly nursing or pumping trying to build a supply and cleaning those Lact-Aids seriously takes awhile. She needed her mommy time, too, and I just was so consumed with lactating that I wasn't giving her enough of me. I regret not attempting induced lactation with my first child (I tried with her at 8 months and it was too late). I think it would have been so much easier. Had I known what I know now I may have been able to say I nursed my first adopted child with a Lact-Aid for a year (until my 2nd child as born). I am very proud of myself, but I wouldn't call myself a hero.

[G8P4]

Well, you're *my* hero for sticking it out so long with a lact-aid.

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