Hubby want me to breast feed exclusively for as long as possible.. im not sure.

Just a quick question...

My first boy was not getting enough from my breastmilk alone at 4 months and I introduced farex and his solids grew from there. He self weaned off the breast by 6 months.
As my milk seems to be better this time around, my hubby thinks its not needed to start bubba on any solids yet. He looks at food/eating/ect and in my mind he is interested in some. Hubby wants me to do the breastfeeding only for as long as possible. Has even said up to 12 months and beyond.

Im at a crossroad... I don't want to upset a good breastfeeding bubby... but im pretty sure he is interested in the food.

What should I do??

When you say exclusively - you mean no other foods other than breast milk? If so, I don't see how breast milk only would be nutritionally sound for over 6-8months and beyond. What is dhs reasoning behind this request?

The current WHO guidelines recommend waiting to start solids till after 6 months.
I didnt start DS on solids till he was well over 7 months, almost 8! he showed lots of interest but personally I just didnt think he was ready.
all food is for fun until they are one anyway.

ausgirl- Breastmilk is actually perfectly nutritious for an over 6 month old, some children dont start solids until they have all their teeth in some cultures. They manage to surViVe on BM.

Solids are usually introduced to supplement iron levels at 6 months, as BM is believed to decrease in iron around this time, it is a fallacy though as the iron in BM is actually better absorbed thatn iron obtained from cereals and formula.

if he's breastfeeding well, i'd wait for 6 months until you introduce solids.
if you think he's having problems, then go with your intuition, not with what dh wants.

Ausgirl, I'm pretty sure the OP meant for her second bub, who is now almost 4 months.

Tascha, I will be back later to reply, but Starrysky is right, the World Health Organisation recommends starting solids at 6 months :)

I would wait until 6 months and then do baby-led solids and if he is ready then he will eat :)

Serenity is 8 months tomorrow and still only bf with no interest in food so it's up to you, you know bubs best

Current guidelines say after six months (4 if you look on the Murdoch centre website) and that you should start by 7-8 to avoid unecessarily increasing allergy risk

:

---

Ausgirl, I'm pretty sure the OP meant for her second bub, who is now almost 4 months.

:)

---

Sorry I think I misinterpreted the original question.

Personally I wouldn't exclusively breast feed past 12 months. I introduced solids at 6 months and I can understand delaying longer if you think it's okay but I'm pretty sure by 12 months old some solids is important. It's good for their speech and jaw development to start learning to chew and eventually you can't live on just milk.

Your DS is too young yet to start solids. His belly can't handle it til around 6 months old.
Breast milk (or formula) is the vital source of nutrition a baby needs til 12 months old. It should always come before food is offered & a baby should have either breast milk, or formula til at least 1.
I agree with your DH. I'd try to keep up the breast feeding for as long as you can, but with solids as well from around 6 months :)

Tasha, congrats on two beautiful children.
The WHO does recommend not starting solids until 6 months as mentioned many times and this is because the baby's digestive system is not ready for them. WHO also recommends bf for 2 years and the average age of baby weaning off the boob is 4 years old. Don't be confusing a baby's curiosity with their needing to be starting solids. If you try baby lead weaning (this is onto solids, not off bf) then bub will tell you if he is ready, but not yet, he is too young.
*Always believe you can breastfeed
*Never blame the milk
Good luck ;)