Hi, Karleen:  When I teach my Beyond Breastfeeding Class, I tell the moms
that the introduction of solid foods is practice, just like learning to
breastfeed in those early days was.  But unlike learning to breastfeed,
which really must happen in the first few days, the baby has a little more
leeway when learning solid foods.  He can continue to rely on mom's milk
for his nutritional needs while he learns solid foods.  I present solid
foods as a gradual increase in intake over the 2nd 6 months of life with a
gradual decrease in BM intake over the same time frame.  I think this helps
mom realize that she doesn't have to "stuff" baby from the outset with
solid foods in order to meet his nutritional needs. I have worked with
several moms over the years who elected to nurse exclusively with no solid
foods thru the 1st year.  One mom told me her pediatrician told her to do
it.  With baby #2, she started solids at 6 months and changed
pediatricians - her 1st baby started waking up again at night after 6
months because he needed the extra calories!  As to whether there is any
formal study somewhere in the literature, I'm not sure.  I've always looked
at the place solid food has in the 1st year and it makes sense to me.

Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL   USA

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