Thing is, how do we know there's no harm? If everyone does it, and the outcomes are pretty much standard, then you aren't to know if something is wrong. Just for eg, tummy upsets with the early introduction of solids might be considered "Just what happens when you start solids" if that's what everyones experience is. Do you know what I mean?
Anyway, I'm just thinking aloud.
But it's true, at the end of the day there are as many variations as there are children
Sue, there has been some really interesting research done not long ago where they have been able to tell by ultrasound how much milk a baby drinks. The really surprising thing is that they found from this that babies don't change the amount of milk they drink from the age of 1 month, until solids are introduced at 6 months. They drink the same amount every day - not increase the amount they drink as they get bigger as we used to think. They also found that the milk drunk does decrease as solids are introduced - every bit of solids displaces some milk. Even if the baby doesn't drop a feed, they won't take as much milk overall in 24 hours. Really interesting, isn't it!
Another thing you will find when you look more into BLS is that meat is a really important early food as it is high in both iron and zinc which are critical for brain development. Other foods have iron, but very little of it is absorbed by the baby (iron-fortified cereals for example have iron in a form where next to none is absorbed).
All the best with your journey. Solids can be fun, although I always felt life was much easier (and cleaner!), when all I needed to feed them was my breasts!
That's really interesting!
Boobs are definitely way easier and tidier. I think DS was at least 9 months before I had to start actually carting food and drink around for him. So often I'd stop and think, oh damn, I forgot again... ah, no, it's ok, I've got milk.
Both my boys started solids shortly after 4 months. I wasn't really in any great hurry, they were just trying to take my dinner. I did BLS with DS2 and it was really good, I just gave him a few pieces of meat and veg to chew on while we ate dinner to keep him happy. I didn't worry about how much he was actually eating until he was 6 months.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about solids unless bub is telling you they want it.
Don't get me wrong, I'd be quite happy to feed her just breast milk until the cows come home. I was just getting it from all angles "when are you going to start that baby on solids". I mistakenly thought it was just a natural progression to spoon feed baby - had no idea of this baby led solids malarkey! LOL Ah the pressure!
It's funny, we are the only couple out of all of our friends who have babies that didn't buy the big fancy nappy bags to fill with stuff you don't need and lug around everywhere - we have this old little bag that I used to use as a handbag with some nappies, wipes and a change of clothes. I really don't have room in my tiny bag for a whole bunch of solids LOL
It's so much easier just to get a boob out!!! Heheheeee.
Chatted to DH about it and he is happy to go with the flow and be led by little one. Today we went for coffee (hot chocolate for mummy) and missy kept trying to swipe daddy's coffee cup! Was totally licking her lips and looking at us as if to say "where's my babycino?". Too cute.
I did BLS with DS2 and it was really good, I just gave him a few pieces of meat and veg to chew on while we ate dinner to keep him happy. I didn't worry about how much he was actually eating until he was 6 months.
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