15 month old - ONLY BFs, Eats NO solids?

[shellwalsh1]

My daughter is 15 months old and she ONLY BF's. I have gently tried to feed her since about 7 months. When she showed no interest then I waited again until 9 months. Still no interest. You name it, I've tried it. She sits with me for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I put a little of whatever I am eating on her plate. She usually throws it on the floor, puts it in her hair, or just smears it around. If I put a spoon to her mouth or even foods from my hands she turns away and tightly closes her lips. If I do by chance get something in she now spits it out. I hardly ever do this though I don't want to cause negativity related to eating.

I think the hardest part about this is that I don't know anyone else who has been through this. My husband and I would like to get pregnant again soon and I don't have a regular period. (Have only had 1). I want to do what's best for my daughter and am committed to giving her what she needs. She is very tiny (17lbs). Ped. said at 13 months weight check up that he was not concerned. She is FULL of life and looks and acts healthy in every way, all milestones met, she is a smart girl. Iron levels okay too.

I guess I want to know: How long can she BF only and be healthy? and Has anyone else been through this and how did you go about slowly introducing solids. She also won't drink from a sippy cup or a bottle. As I tell my DH she likes it straight from the cow!

Words of wisdom or comfort would be helpful. :

[tubulidentata2]

shellwalsh1,

Although I have read that studies show babies do need solids in the second year (I think I read this in Baby Matters), my pediatrician told me that his wife exclusively breastfed each of their children for TWO years! I am sure that there was not a miscommunication, since I asked him how he kept them from grabbing at food when they were active toddlers (he said they showed no interest). When I told him I wasn't comfortable waiting that long, he suggested starting solids between 12 and 15 months. I ignored that advice and started her at 11 months, when she showed interest, but I just wanted to let you know there is at least one doctor out there who would not worry.

Good luck!

[tempestjewel]

Sometimes babies refuse food because it is their body's way of protecting them from allergies. I'd consider trying probiotics for yourself and/or for her. Natren LifeStart or Soloray Babylife have the correct strain for an EBF infant.

[kathteach]

There is a woman in my mom's group who is going through something similar, although her son will very ocassionally drink hemp milk through a sippy from what I understand. Interestingly her situation seems to match what Tempestjewel said about allergies. The mom has sensitivities and had to cut the major allergens out of her diet because of how her son reacted.

Could you get a second opinion? I feel for you, I would be very troubled.

[guestmama9904]

i would not worry too much. my son really didnt eat much of anything until age two. if i was there he wanted to nurse. he is still kind of a picky eater at age 6. but i had major allergies as a kid, though i was breastfed until age 2, so i think maybe his body was trying to avoid early exposure to allergens by only drinking breastmilk.

[rachelmarie]

I second (third?) the idea that your dd may be protecting herself from allergies. I would just keep breastfeeding her and offering solids. When she's ready, she'll eat.

Ds ate very little solids until he was almost 2 and only started eating them at every meal and consistently just after he turned 2, which is when I got pregnant with dd and my milk dried up right away. He was hungry, so he ate.

[shellwalsh1]

Thanks for the support. A friend suggested I post on this site. I receive the magazine, which I love. I will talk to my doctor about possible allergies? and Probiotics (I will have to research this myself too). It's comforting to know that others have been there, and survived.

I guess baby number 2 will have to wait for baby number one to be ready!

Thank you!