Amy - so glad natty is a little better. having an unwell little grl just isn't fair! poor little munchkin!
i agree with treating every baby individually. i have myself touted the WHO recommendations - but i've done it to shut the "know it all's" in my life up. basically saying i trust the WHO more than someone that thought it appropriate to give their child rice cereal at six weeks! for now, we're not introducing solids - E shows interest, but is content with drinking milk. she is sleeping brilliantly at night etc, so i don't see it as a need yet. i think that's what you need to look at - whether your own child NEEDS it. i think so much of parenting needs to be based on your own instinct. i do agree with the WHO pushing the six month mark as much as possible - the baby food manufacturers label their food for 3 months, so lesser educated parents may look at it and think their child needs solids at that age. it's very clever marketing really! i think, in those circumstances, having it said to you that solids aren't necessary until six months in most cases is well worthwhile. i've had both my SIL and a friend tell me that i'm doing the wrong thing attempting to exclusively BF E until six months (or just over) - but the MCHN agrees with me that BLS is the best option, and their little tummy's aren't ready for real food at this age - it means you have to puree things, which i don't want E to be in the habit of eating kwim? i don't think i'll puree any food - mash it with a fork if it's needed, but not puree... lazy parenting all the way!
KL - having done my little waffle - i guess what i'm trying to say is to go with your instinct on when to introduce solids. if you think they're needed early, go with it. if you want to wait then wait. i think some kidlets need the extra, some don't. i've read of a lot of people in the BF general chatter thread that actually say the introduction of any new food can cause sleep regression, so it's a tough call if the main reason you're thinking of introducing food is to help with sleep. i think Naomi has been a great example of where food can help - but it doesn't always...
afu - well we're having a lazy sunday morning this morning. went to friends for Grand Final yesterday. DH had a great time (he's a Geelong boy all the way) - but i felt a bit under the weather before we went. we were told we'd be inside watching the game, so i didn't mind going. well, E and I were inside, everyone else went out to the shed and left me with one much much older lady (who is losing her mind) - actually i lie, DH was inside til quarter time, and a couple of others til just before half time. but yeah, i was essentially in the lounge by myself with E. she fed, she slept. i watched the game but had no one to talk to. just before the end of the game, 7 sixteen year olds came inside to watch the game, E was asleep, and they all made a heap of noise at one point that startled her and she woke up screaming, so back on the boob for her. it was just uninspiring. i could have stayed home and watched. i know DH and his bestie are Geelong fans, and i didn't mind going - but i didn't think i would be abandoned like that! at least DH came home with me just after the game - he wasn't drunk, but if he'd stayed there he would have been...
thought i'd just update E's stats seeing i messed up the other day
so - E's stats
5.910kg
61cm long
43.5cm head circ
so i have a petite little girl with a big boof head!
Bookmarks