[Mawood]

<p>I know that a lot of families in this forum are doing the baby lead approach to start solids. I do offer my daughter chunks of food as well and she really likes it to feed herself or explore it. However I was wondering if she gets any nutritions that way as I noticed that the bits of pieces of sweet potato she fed herself the other night came out just like she ate them. I don't think she digested them at all. She isn't able to chew the food down mechanically and the stomach isn't breaking it down either. I guess that is how it is for all babies. I breast fed her exclusively for all this time and actually still do since she really isn't eating much food but I want her to get some nutritions (mainly iron) as well. Are the nutritions better absorbed when eating purees since the food is already broken down/mushed? Since babies don't chew their food down they basically have to rely on the enzymes in their stomachs and not so much saliva or am I looking at it wrong? </p>
<p>She really is a late eater and at almost 10 months isn't much interested in food (not even of our plates). Maybe her digestive system isn't matured enough? We don't force anything and have a pretty relaxed approach but as she is getting older I want her to get some iron...(posted already about this)</p>
<p>Thank You for your thoughts and insights <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif"></p>

 

[tzs]

<p>i don;t know the answer to your question per se but we would use the earth's best oatmeal cereal as a thickener with the added iron as a bonus. or was it for the extra iron with the thickening as a bonus???? either way it's a win/win.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>i would add it to yogurt, runny soups, applesauce....to make it easier for dd to self feed and for the iron.</p>

 

[mamalex23]

<p>I've heard that goat's milk and molasses is a great formula for babies: goats milk is most like human and the molasses (un-sulfered) is high in iron and a little sweet/salty : )</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, a friend's ped just recently told her that her son would get everything he needed nutritionally through her milk for the first year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>our ped said to start food by 6 or 7 months to avoid food allergies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>so by both of those recommendations your LO is getting introduced to food in a natural process, and likely getting the nutrition she need's from you. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>live life, love life</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Ravin]

<p>If you're really concerned about iron (which I wouldn't be unless her iron is actually low), they have vitamin supplements for that. Otherwise, I'd keep on with what you're doing. All the nutrients she needs are in your BM; if she's not ready to eat or digest other foods, she just isn't. Give it time.</p>

 

[Knitting Mama]

That brings up a good point-- do you know if her iron is low? If it's not, there's really no need to worry about it yet.

 

[octobermom]

<p> Your milk provides all shes needs. but for more...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Other good easy to digest iron souces we feed here (some with my help) for my 8.5 month old</p>
<p>1) pumkin fries super yummy! </p>
<p>2) roasted brussle sprouts (cut in half she handles them fine) </p>
<p>3) mock "tuna" with chick pea </p>
<p>4)meats that have been stewed and easy to digest</p>
<p>5) firm tofu squares </p>
<p>6) baby food jar prunes (hey they work) </p>

 

[P.J.]

<p>In the Baby Led Weaning book it says that breastmilk provides all babies need in the first year, and food is more about learning how to eat. Not until they really get the hang of eating and figure out it's also about filling them up...for some babies not until 12+ months....will they start to more drastically reduce their milk feedings, and then you know they're starting to get more actual nutrition from the food..</p>
<p>In the first year, unless her blood showed low iron or something else, I wouldn't worry about nutrition as long as the baby's still actively BFing.</p>

 

[Shanesmom]

I agree with everyone in saying that your breastmilk is more than enough. Your body knows what she needs. Trust it. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[HonkyTonka]

<p>not to hijack the thread, but I was wondering about iron also... my doc said he wanted my LO to have some iron rich foods because the babes iron stores are used up around 6 months and babe would not receive iron from breastmilk. he told me he sees a lot of breastfed babies that are anemic at 1 year. </p>

 

[Lauren31]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>HonkyTonka</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280918/baby-lead-weaning-or-eating#post_16065638"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>not to hijack the thread, but I was wondering about iron also... my doc said he wanted my LO to have some iron rich foods because the babes iron stores are used up around 6 months and babe would not receive iron from breastmilk. he told me he sees a lot of breastfed babies that are anemic at 1 year. </p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>According to Kelly mom- "The original recommendations for iron-fortified foods were based on a formula-fed baby's need for them and the fact that breastmilk contains less iron than formula (doctors didn't know then that the iron in breastmilk is absorbed much better). The introduction of iron supplements and iron-fortified foods, particularly during the first six months, reduces the efficiency of baby's iron absorption. As long as your baby is exclusively breastfed (and receiving no iron supplements or iron-fortified foods), the specialized proteins in breastmilk ensure that <i>baby</i> gets the available iron."  <a href="http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html#atrisk" target="_blank">http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html#atrisk</a></p>

 

[Mawood]

<p>Thanks for all your responses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My daughter tested low on iron at her 9-months-check-up. She isn't drastically low (10.5 compared to 11.5 considered as normal) but the doc recommended feeding her food rich in iron. I already got lots of good recipes from you Moms through a different thread in this forum.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was just wondering what is the point of giving her solids when she can't digest them based on my observation that she can't mush the food mechanically and it doesn't seem to be digested when I find it again in her diaper. I would assume that she wouldn't get the nutritions if her digestive system isn't breaking down the food. And I thought that the purees might be easier to digest since they are already mushed up. Or maybe the consistency of the food doesn't make any difference at all if a digestive system is not ready. Just wondering.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just from reading all your responses I get the feeling that other Moms and babies are way more experimenting than I am. We are still at sweet potato, green peas, apple, pear and prunes sauce but feel inspired to try some new veggies. </p>

 

[tzs]

<p>we were really adventurous and didn;t follow any order but i know alot of moms here do so you;re not alone.</p>
<p>maybe try beans soon? babes love them, it's great for pincer grasp, and alot of iron and protein. i coat in olive oil for fats and season them up.</p>