[MommyDee]

Okay, this is a cross between a bfing and solids question, so I'll post it here...

I started Damian on solids (purees and cereal) at 6mos, but found that he really seems to be having trouble with them. He gets (TMI lol) extremely gassy (and unbelievably stinky!), has obvious belly pain, and wakes frequently at night. He also goes days without a bm, and while I know this isn't necessarily a problem, the longer he goes without one, the more miserable he gets. He also eventually started refusing the solids to some extent... eat a few mouthfuls, then fuss and turn away, or spit them back out.

I decided to cut back on the amounts, and this past week have been withholding them completely -- and the last three nights he's sleeping better again, almost back to a normal pattern for him. I'd almost blame it on something I ate considering I'm bfing, but my eating habits have only gotten better and his sleep has improved regardless. I'm at a loss... I know technically he should be well established on solids by now, but I'm almost afraid to give them to him. Is it okay to keep him off of them for awhile longer considering I'm bfing? And has anyone else experienced this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[deedee1231]

As long as you are breastfeeding him he shouldn't really need anything else. I would maybe just hold off on the solids for a month or two and then try again and see how it goes.

Are you making sure to introduce only 1 food at a time and wait several days before introducing another? That is a good way to see exactly how he reacts to each individual food, then you can tell if one thing or another is causing him a belly ache.

[DivasMomma]

I know that babies can be exclusively BF for a year. He is getting everything he needs from you.

Maybe try a different diet with him when you do start on solids...try wheat free, gluten free, milk free. They all may have something to do with his fussiness.

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by MommyDee

I'm at a loss... I know technically he should be well established on solids by now, but I'm almost afraid to give them to him.

Says who? Certainly not WHO or UNICEF, or LLL or any other agency that's current with research on feeding babies. Consider the following:

1. Your son obviously hates them. At this point, this is not picky eating, "I don't like what you cooked" behavior. . .something is not quite right and he's telling you the only way he knows how and it sounds like his body is definitely giving you some clear signals on this.

2. Breastmilk is sufficient nutrition for at least a year. . .and sometimes beyond.* (I don't recommend going beyond a year with no solids w/o pediatric supervision. But myself as well as other ladies I've counseled have exclusively bf in special circumstances. 12 mos is not the magical number where bf is no longer sufficient. . .it's a general number and sometimes needs to be tweaked based on the child. I have exclusively bf as long as 13mos. . .I know another mom who did it for 17mos--again special circumstances and under the supervision of a pedi. . .but just so you know it might be an option.

3. The more research that comes out on feeding solids, the more we see a trend towards starting later and without the mushy purees. WHO, UNICEF, and I believe LLL (although I'd really have to check on that one) all recommend letting your child start with the food you are eating. . .spices and all. In order to start with the food you are eating, they probably have teeth--although not necessarily, but they definitely have good control over their hands and their heads and bodies. . .and their tummies have to be more mature.

I have never started anyone on solids before 7mos and really--that's pretty early for us. Most of my children have been around 9 to 10mos. before even tasting anything and about 14 to 15 mos. before being 'well established.' I've never spoon fed a baby (except for my first on my first attempt) and the more that we've adhered to the 'eat off my plate' philosophy, the less picky my kids are. My last three kids eat hummus, vegetables, etc. without any type of prompting. They love bell peppers and hummus as a snack. Again--I think due to being exposed to actual flavor instead of bland mush.

I've written a few things on starting solids. . .but I don't have time to find them now. One is about 5 culture myths about starting solid foods. . .and I've done some on the delayed introduction of solids. You might find them helpful. But all that to say, you don't need to start solids by any stretch of the imagination.

[angelic_ky]

Gabby doesn't really eat much solids (that's my mother opinion ) anyway atm she is cutting molars and it must be causing quite a bit of discomfort and she is pretty much refusing all solids (even chocolate) but she is wanting more milk, she is happy (at least as happy as you can expect from a kid cutting molars) and doesn't seem ill affected from the lack of solids

i also found with Gabby i had to introduce solids really slowly (once a week for a few weeks then twice, then 3 times etc and that was just introducing one meal so i had to do that again with the next)... at one point i went a bit too quickly and she ended up constipated... he is not enjoying it so i would let him go

[MommyDee]

Thank-you so much for all your replies ladies! You have definitely put my mind at ease.

Val, when I say "well established" I think I more meant "readily accepting" lol -- and only purees at that. I have a bit of a complex about whether I'm doing right by my kids... unfortunate byproduct of over-opinionated and domineering family members. My brother, for example, adamantly believes the reason they had trouble starting my niece on solids was because they started too late... and they started her at five months. I really appreciate all the info -- I'll go check your blog for more.

The thing is, he didn't originally hate the cereal and purees -- he absolutely lapped them up. I started with small amounts and always waited at least 4-5 days before introducing another. "They" say that a baby should sleep better after starting solids because they're more satisfied -- Damian got fussier. The past few days on just bm, he's been getting a good 4hr stretch at the beginning of the night, and taking 2hr+ breaks afterwards instead of waking every hour.

Anyhow, all things considered, including the fact that even without solids I have a chipmunk-cheeked chunky monkey here lol, I believe we will give it another month or two. Thanks again ladies!

[twinzplus3]

Aww Dee. . .send your brother here. . .I'll teach him.

I knew what you meant by 'well established' but still suggest that starting later is better for the baby. But honestly, it would concern me that he was lapping them up and is not wanting now. He could've just been in a growth spurt but I seem to remember that your older one had some issues with the bowels right? Do you think that perhaps there's something that could be related? Or not at all.

If not, I would tend to think that really, he's just not wanting them because it's his perogative to say no at this point. Gotta luv little people.

[DivasMomma]

I know how you are feeling about the family members being pushy...i remember Jae was 3 weeks old at the thanksgiving dinner table and i hear my mother giggling. She was feeding her mashed potatoes!!!!!!!! I was SO mad...her response was "You were getting things like this early on." She lucky I didnt jump across the table

[angelic_ky]

Originally Posted by DivasMomma

I know how you are feeling about the family members being pushy...i remember Jae was 3 weeks old at the thanksgiving dinner table and i hear my mother giggling. She was feeding her mashed potatoes!!!!!!!! I was SO mad...her response was "You were getting things like this early on." She lucky I didnt jump across the table

i know exactly what you mean, i had family undermining my parenting too, just so thankful that my mother respected my wishes and would always take Gabby the moment she saw any of my family with food... kind of ironic: my family critised me on saying i was wait til at least 6 mths and then some foods (like dairy, wheat etc) were to wait even longer and now they are critising me cos i introduced peanuts at 14 mths (they think it's too early)

[DivasMomma]

Jae's Ped said peanuts for her after a year. she had no signs of allergies to anything and was very healthy.


Kaydee's dr. is saying not until 3 yrs old. She seems to be allergic to EVERYTHING!!!

Funny how they can go from one extreme to the next!!!