Hello,
My baby boy is 3 1/2 months old, and I am just curious as to when other people have started to introduce solids (ie rice cereal). He is breastfed, and I recently went back to work full time. In the past week or so, it seems that my breastmilk isn't keeping him full very long. He used to go about 3-4 hours between feedings, but is now back down to 2-3. He still gets up twice a night for feedings. Is this a sign that he might be getting ready for solids to help fill his tummy? I pump while I am at work, but I am afraid that pretty soon I am not going to be able to keep up with his needs for while he is away from me. Has anyone else been in this situation?
Hi,
I wouldn't start him on solids yet. I think he so young. I think you should pump & nurse him upto 6 months at a minimum. Does he look not fed? If not, I would suggest not. There are so much vitamins etc in your breastmilk! My youngest started cereal solids at 12 months and my oldest at 9 months. Good luck to you !!!
K.
Hi C.,
I am a 2nd time mom and my little one is 4 months today actually. I started him on cereal about a week and a half ago so I think your little one will probably be ready. Just do a Tbsp the first day and increase it by one each day. I do one Tbsp at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then they get into a routine to eat when you all do. That's what our doc told us to do. then after a week try another cereal, then after a week do another kind. I think after 6 weeks then you do the veggies but your ped. will probably tell you all that.
I live in the Laveen area also. Where do you live at? We are in the Rogers Ranch area.
First, its a growth spurt. My 6 month old went through those where I was worried I'd never get a break! It only lasted for a little while, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.
What I did was add 1 bottle of formula a day to give me a break. I didn't start cereal until 4 months, and then it was just a little bit at dinner. Once the cereal started, she slept like a champ, I was actually waking up wondering if something was wrong with her. I was also used to breastfeeding in the middle of the night, so there were times where I pumped to releave the fullness. Then, I got a head start of the next day plus she was full and happy. I hope this helps. Hang in there!
C., congratulations for continuing to nurse your baby!!! Working full-time can present a huge challenge for a mother committed to breastfeeding. Your baby is very fortunate to have you as a mom.
It would be inadvisable to start solids this early. Health professionals generally don't recommend 3.5 months as a good age to start solids...you should call your pediatrician and find out. There's a higher risk of choking and of developing food allergies because your baby's gut is not mature enough to handle potentially allergenic foods. Plus, making solids a part of your baby's diet will decrease your milk supply.
I know you feel stressed about this situation though, so just know that your baby is probably going through a growth spurt and needs more milk temporarily. Your milk supply will adjust to meet his needs as long as you are not supplementing with formula or solids. The website www.kellymom.com is a great resource for working moms who pump and need tips on keeping their milk supply up.
Good luck!!!
C.,
A big GO MOM! for breastfeeding your baby. I also fully support your decision (or need) to go back to work. I am a mom of 4 and Birth Doula. Every child desires food at their own pace. Most ped's. reccomend starting solids around 6 months of age. Some babies are ready a bit earlier (pulling food off the table, although this is not a need but a desire) And some have no interest until 8 or 9 months of age. As long as your eating properly, your breast milk should have EVERYTHING your baby needs until 1 year of age. He may be desiring feedings more often because of speration from you or the change from breast to bottle. Most 3.5 month olds don't sleep through the night although if feed a FULL feeding late in the evening they may start to around that age. (give him a few minutes if he stirs at night, he may settle down) Sorry I didn't mean to offer so many suggestions, take only what you wish. Mom's intuition is always the best place to start.
