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I was just wondering when is the right time to take your baby off of the breast and onto other things? ↓
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| Name: Michele | Date: Feb 15th, 2006 12:25 PM |
| I weaned mine at 12 months right onto whole milk from a sippy cup, but others are comfortable breastfeeding longer. It's what you are comfortable with! ↑ |
| Name: the AAP says... | Date: Feb 15th, 2006 10:23 PM |
| exclusivly for 6 months and as a supplement until the age of two, but for me personally when they can ask for it, it has ben too long, although I know many moms are going to disagree with me ↑ |
| Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: Feb 15th, 2006 11:20 PM |
Jennie,
You can still breastfeed your Little One long after (s)he has started solids. It is strongly recommended that you do not introduce solids until at least 6 months. Some studies have even shown that it is even better for baby not to have solids until their first birthday, as long as they are breastfeeding. If they are on formula they should start on solids at 6 months. Formula does not have all the necessary nutrients needed by the older baby, but breastmilk does.
As for weaning, I think you will find information regarding your question under the topic:
"ok ENOUGH i want her off me "
But in brief, the right time can only be determined by you and your baby. I personally strongly recommend mothers do take their baby's desires into consideration when determining when to wean. After all, it takes two to have a breastfeeding relationship, both parties should have a say in when the breastfeeding relationship should end.
If you haven't started nursing yet, don't worry too much about it at this time. Your worrying may interfere with you enjoying your breastfeeding time with you Little One. Play it by ear.
And I would strongly encourage you to find a good support system if you are in the U.S. We tend to still have a distorted view on nursing here generally speaking. A Lactation Consultant and/or a La Leche League group can really help you enjoy your time more.
And it surely can be a very enjoyable time!
I can honestly tell you that never in my wildest moments did I ever think that my babies and I would have our breastfeeding relationships last as long as they have. Ultimately I am glad I listened to my babies' needs more then what others thought. The very same people who would criticize me for nursing my toddlers also expressed jealousy at how healthy my children were, not coming down with every virus that floated around, or ear infection. They marvelled at my Little Ones sense of independance, oftentimes being the only one not crying whenever mommy left the room. ↑ |
| Name: Fiona | Date: Feb 16th, 2006 4:29 PM |
Iron supplies start to run low when babies are about 6 months old. They need to start on solids at this age - if not before - or they can become anaemic. One year old is too long!!! Their health would suffer greatly - possibly worse!!!
Breastfeeding does not supply all the iron that a baby needs - neither does formula. They need some sort of food at six months old. ↑ |
| Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: Feb 17th, 2006 5:22 AM |
Fiona,
Breastfeeding mothers should still be taking prenatal vitamins and iron supplement which provides enough iron in breastmilk for older babies.
But thank you for bringing up that important point. All my pediatricians made sure that I took my prenatals when my Little One's sole source of nutrition was breastmilk for that very reason. ↑ |
| Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: Feb 18th, 2006 2:22 AM |
Well now,
Here I am to eat my hat, sort of speaking!
But first I must take it off, and I take it off to you Fiona!
After some further looking into this I have found that there are those who's opinions I trust that make statements along the lines of when breastfeeding a baby in it's first year, breastmilk is baby's primary source of nutrition. It provides 100% of a baby's nutritional needs for the first 6 (or 9) months, and 75% for the 6 (or 3)months after that.
Although I can still also find those whose opinions I trust (my former pediatrician one of them) who state that as long as the mother continues to eat an appropriately high caloric well-balanced diet, with the continuance of prenatal vitamins and iron supplements, breastmilk can provide 100% of a baby's nutritional needs.
Yet I am not so quick to dismiss the educated opinions of the others either.
So I guess ultimately it is best to check with your own pediatrician about such matters.
I know that even though she did not have solids until she was past 11 months old, my Little One met, and still meets, all the well-baby, well-child, checkmarks. And I know that others have been quite envious of her immune system when their little ones seem to be coming down with this virus, that virus, and the occasional ear infection. So it worked well for us.
However, every child is different and has different needs.
But I thank you Fiona, for your comment made me check further into this, and I learned something I did not know. ↑ |
| Name: Dana | Date: Mar 3rd, 2006 10:53 PM |
| I think you have to trust your instincts on this one- my littlest son is 17 months an dgets very few solids- he's not interested nad since he's getting God designed breastmilk- I don't worry about it. He's been tested for anemia- and his iron levels are fine. Oh and he's been asking for it since he was 6 months old- he learned to sign for it then- now he calls in nanas. ↑ |
| Name: sonia | Date: Mar 4th, 2006 1:27 AM |
| when ever you and your baby want too. ↑ |
| Name: abby | Date: Mar 16th, 2006 2:02 PM |
| Do whatever feels right for you. All baby's and mothers are different. I didn't get my daughter off breast milk till she was 2 because allergies and asthma run in my family. I started her on rice cereal at 6 months of age and gradually increased "real" food in pace of the breast milk... took me a year to get her 100% off the breast milk by weening. At a year and a half she only had breast milk through a sippy cup and not from the breast. Needless to say, this worked for me since I wanted to make sure I gave her the BEST protection against the allergies and asthma I deal with everyday. And to this day, she has not had an allergic reaction to anything. So.. I say go with the flow and do what your instincts tell you, don't let others make you feel like you should "stop"... Good luck! ↑ |
| Name: heather | Date: Mar 19th, 2006 10:00 PM |
| my sister breastfeed her baby till about 6 months n then she gave him formula during the day n breastfeed at night to slowly get him off. ↑ |
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