First let me say hello.  I am new to Lactnet and of course enjoying the
ideas and information from all those much wiser than I.  I am an IBCLC not
currently practicing (stopped working to mother twins now 2), but still a
volunteer counselor and trying to get back to the world I am taking a break
from.  I wanted to add to the introducing solid discussion an opinion and
questions.

My one cent, (not sure it is worthy of 2):  I think one of the reasons we
hate seeing moms start solids closer to 4 mos, is that in US starting
solids does not mean "complementary food".  It is thought of as "three
meals a day" and less nursing to be sure baby eats "real food".  I like the
idea of watching the baby for signs of interest, but more than just
grabbing foods, the whole body signals--ability to sit alone (unsupported),
losing tongue thrust, unable to satisfy at breast even after increased
feedings ( to allow for growth spurt), etc. This usually puts the baby
closer to the six month mark than four. Also, taking into account baby's
growth issues, if as we say, baby determines calories consumed (unless
forcefed), than would it not stand to reason that starting solids earlier
would mean less breastmilk consumed. I was under the immpression that for
the first year, milk was the first food and all else was secondary (but
still necessary.) This issue interests me, because,if solids mean less
breastmilk, but babies' needs for breastmilk remain the same, how is the
balance of complementary feeds not going to interfere with milk supply.
Personally, I always offered food at 6 mos, but not all my children
accepted it.  In my experience, many mothers offer food, but not all babes
accept it.  I, of course, prefer the mom's to offer because the development
issues are important as well as nutrition issues, I just don't understand
why that would be closer to four than six for the average healthy baby.
More often than not, solids are used here to encourage sleep, longer times
between or fewer nursings, and have nothing to do with baby's growth.

Question: Re: The post about not offering other liquids besides breastmilk--
even with the introduction of solids--at what age is it appropriate to
offer water and juice.  It was my understanding, that with 6 mos. being the
guide for solids, water was appropriate with meals as well as breastmilk.
Is it better to delay water as well as juice?

Question:  Years back, I attended a conference re: iron and nutrition.  The
gist of the research being presented as better to delay solids the full six
months and also no use of iron-fortified formula for the breastfeeding
baby.  From what I am reading in the posts, that is not correct?  Is it not
correct, or are the "iron powers that be" not willing to let go of the if
some is good, more is better idea so we get iron into the babies.  It was
also suggested, that solids (especially cereals) are a poor source of
nutrition and calories for younger babies. It was my understanding that for
about the first 6 mos, breastmilk was the "best food" because the digestive
system is not ready to use the nutrients from solids even if the body is
able to tolerate them. (I am not even thinking about the issues of
allergies for some).  Taking into account the WHO's reccomendation of 4-6
mos, is that only for breastfed babies, or is that taking into account
artificially fed babies?  It makes perfect sense to me for formula fed
babies to start solids earlier because formula is already inferior and many
4 mo. old babies are still hungry after they have met their formula quota
for the day.  Showing my ignorance, I was also under the impression that
breastmilk changed to meet the needs of a growing infant and that was why
the need to start solids differed from formula fed infants.  Am I doing a
disservice to moms by encouraging them to wait for the six month mark
unless all body signals are there and baby is closer to 6 than 4?  (I am
not talking about the "tasting fun" many parents allow and enjoy as does
the baby.)

Thank you reading this and I look forward to further input.

Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, Florida, USA

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