I just learned that a friend of mine finally quit nursing because her milk
dried up at about 8 mos. She had a very strong milk supply but at four
months was told to start solids because her baby wasn't gaining weight to
the doctors' standards. He was/is a VERY active and bright baby, built wiry
and small (he was 6-something at term (near 7#), and the child of a very
petite woman and a tall, lean man.

Now, doesn't logic dictate (and please correct me if I'm wrong!) that
starting "solids" would do little for the baby's weight (how many calories
and how much fat are in rice cereal and vegetables???), but only serve to
decrease his dependence on breastmilk, and therefore decrease her
supply... thereby having the opposite of the intended effect?

As I would have predicted, her baby continued to gain slowly (per their
"standards") yet continued to develop soundly in all other respects (he's
cruising all over at 8 mos!), and of course her milk dried up.

Now if I were in charge <VBG> I would have told her to start nursing her
baby double time -- if he's not interested much during the day due to his
activity/distractability level, then bring him to bed and sleep with him!
(He's also one of those who sleeps well at night w/o nursing.) Would I be
incorrect? Is there a time when solids are the right thing for a baby who
isn't gaining weight "quickly" enough for the doctors?

Please inform/educate me on this.... or shall I make room for y'all on my
soapbox and we can rant together....?!? :) :) :)

Marci O'Daffer, CCE
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