Hi all,
This is my first post here and i really need some advice.
I have a beautiful four and a half month old son who is fully breastfed and feeds well. I was determined not to start him on solids until he was at least 6 months old. I was getting pressure from certain family members to start him on solids as early as six weeks (mind you, this was from the same person who told me to 'just let him cry' when he was only 3 days old!) but have resisted the pressure with much grace...
But I'm starting to think he might need some solid food. This is being backed up by a lot of other mothers I know, many of whom waited themselves until their babies were older to start solids, but they have observed his behaviour and are telling me "This baby wants food!!".
So... he's waking more frequently at night than he was (our five hour sleep has gone down to four, then three, now two hours) and feeding more frequently during the day. he is grumpy and unsettled between feeds when he was quite happy and contented only a few weeks ago. He tries to grab my hand when I'm eating and tries to shove the food in his mouth. He watches every bit of food we eat like a hawk. And, the real kicker, the last few days he has been getting very grumpy and frustrated when he sits near us at mealtimes.
I have plenty of milk and he's steadily putting on weight... but I feel like I just can't keep up this feeding pattern much longer and I'm torn here... the guilt of not feeding him solids when he seems to want it vs the guilt of not waiting until he's at least six months old!
Anyone got any advice?? Any insight is much appreciated!!