I had an appointment with Kyson's MCHN today and she got me a little worried. I'm pretty sure I'm needlessly worrying, but I just can't help but be a little paranoid.
Kyson has recently turned 6 months old (1 week ago), and one of the first questions the nurse asked was if he was having three meals a day. I must admit that I was a little shocked and probably looked it. Kyson generally only has one meal of solids a day (dinnertime). He's still being breastfed (no formula) and we have been using BLS techniques and letting him feed himself. Even when I've given him mashed potato or pumpkin from a spoon he generally holds the spoon himself. We started with broccoli because I read that it was fairly high in iron and he LOOOOOVES the broccoli! He's also had some zucchini, carrot, cauliflower, rice, pasta and sucked on some beef strips. I thought he was doing quite well....
The nurse asked me what time we get up and he has breakfast and I told her he has his solid meal for dinner. Then she said "yes, but what time does he have breakfast?". She was surprised that he didn't get any rice cereal in the morning and went on to tell me about how babies iron stores drop at six months and that they need the rice cereal. I started to explain that we are following baby-led techniques and giving him vegies that are high in iron, but she insisted that he NEEDS the cereal. She also told us not to give him pasta anymore because they shouldn't have anything with wheat in it until 7-9 months. Does the one month between six and nine months of age really make that much difference?
Anyway, I ended up just doing my usual "uh huh", "sure", "yep gotcha" responses just to get past the conversation. Everyone has an opinion on everything when it comes to babies and I find myself responding like that a lot and then just doing what we are comfortable anyway. For example "What do you mean he's still feeding at least 3 hourly during the night?! He should be sleeping through the night by now. Maybe you should book into a sleep clinic". Hmmm, no thanks. I think I'll just let him feed as much as he feels he needs to. I'm pretty sure he won't be 15 and still feeding throughout the night...
Ok, back on topic... I was feeling pretty confused and doubting our techniques, until I got home and started reading through this forum. All the information in these threads about BLS has made me feel so much more secure in our decision. Kyson is a very healthy and happy little boy who LOVES to feed himself and enjoys the food he is eating. He also still loves breastfeeding (although he recently discovered the joy of water from a sippy cup, lol!). I want to thank everyone that has posted information, and even those that have posted questions because I have had many of the same questions.
You're on the right track Krystie!! Just as you thought, you are doing awesomely!! Have you got the ABA solids booklet? It says from 6 months they can eat pretty much anything, just normal healthy family foods, just like you're doing
So the MCHN is supposed to tell you to start solids at 6 months but also thinks he would be up to 3 meals a day by now?? Just go at your own pace!! I started with dinner too and then gradually increased to 2, then 3 meals when I felt DD wanted more.
DD has never had rice cereal either, she has fruit for breakfast and sometimes porridge. There is iron in breastmilk and it is more easily absorbed than any iron in bloody rice cereal!! Plus you've already started meat which is great so he'll be getting his iron there aswell.
DS started on solids at 6 months and did well for 10 days then stopped and refused, after a while of him refusing I stopped offering for 2 weeks and at 8 months we re started and he got better and better. (BLS didnt work for us as he seems to think its more fun to throw them on the floor that eat)
He did not start having 3 meals a day until 11 months!!!!!!!!!!! And breaksfast was the last meal we introduced.
It's hard isn't it, when you do things differently to the majority? I always start doubting myself after a MCHN appointment.
My MCHN follows the 'normal' way of doing things... I've even had one look at me in shock when I said I was still breastfeeding! I've had the same with the feeding through the night - my DS still feeds at night too. Don't worry - it's normal - I think more babies feed through the night than don't, which says something, don't you think!? Sorry, a bit side-tracked there... MCHN's really bother me when they try and make everyone do everything by the book.
Anyway, to address to BLS stuff... Sounds to me like you're doing fine. As Heaven said, your bub would be getting iron from breast milk and it's much better absorbed from breast milk than rice cereal anyway. And remember too "Food is for fun until you're one", which means it doesn't matter how much or little food your DS has, because breast milk is still the main source of food and nutrition.
Sounds like you are doing fantastic without the help of the MCHN. They are funny - I know one in our area who is just like yours, and then two that I see who are so pro-BLS but don't tell people about it because they don't want to listen! One of them cheered when I told her that was what we were doing and she told me I was going to be her poster-girl!!! But I have heard of more and more now encouraging this method which I think is a really good thing! As long as people are prepared to listen!
But to make the most of the support around here come and join us in the the BLS chatter thread. You can talk to very like minded people who can answer all sorts of questions (they can ask them too!!) and offer all sorts of suggestions for people to try!
I am worried about this sort of reaction when I see my MCHN ( although she's been fantastic so far) in about a month. Allira doesn't even have food every single day... sometimes she's asleep when we have dinner.
She also wakes for feeds during the night now. It's not uncommon at all.
You are doing a wonderful job!
Sounds like you're doing a GREAT job Krystie . Don't let your MCHN sway you, you know you're doing the best for your baby. 3 meals is alot for a baby that has only just started solids. And it's not necessary. You just keep doing what works, following your baby's lead, and you'll all be fine .
Stressing for no reason...
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I've had the same with the feeding through the night - my DS still feeds at night too. Don't worry - it's normal - I think more babies feed through the night than don't, which says something, don't you think!? Sorry, a bit side-tracked there... MCHN's really bother me when they try and make everyone do everything by the book.
HTH
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