Hi all.  It is safe to say that introduction of solids is a hot topic!  I
have to agree with Kathryn--  I don't have documentation to prove it but she
seems to make sense and is speaking of groups which still allows for the
individual baby who may do well on exclusive breastmilk past 6 months.

As a public health nurse and LC, during the past year I had the opportunity
to work with three single Moms (on public assistance) who were all
breastfeeding longterm. I was operating on the information given to me by an
RD  that breastmilk is still the most important food in their diet after 6
months and for several more months. I had all along been encouraging a slow
introduction of solids and had been tlod that the infants were progressing
to table food.   I was taking monthly weights and heights.  2 of the 3 had
significant drops on their weight for height chart and one is now below the
3rd percentile at 11 months old.  I refered them to the ISS RD who believes
the women are breastfeeding just enough to take the edge off of their
infant's hunger but are not offering  solids frequently enough during the
day.   It is a heck of a lot easier to breatfeed than to prepare  meal and
both of these women have pretty serious relationship problems and horrible
psychosocial histories,so lots of reason to be preoccupied.  (Yes, the
social worker is also visiting them.)

Hopefully any of you who are monitoring weights and also taking heights and
plotting weight for height.  The other elementary tidbit that I learned and
will pass on to those of you who need this info, is that a reliable
measuring tool for taking an infant's height needs to be used or it will
significantly throw off the plots on the graph.  Maybe I'm the one who looks
foolish here by saying that but in my 15 years experience as a PHN, this is
the first year I have ever been provided with the correct equipment and only
because I asked for it.

The RD's I have worked with are an invaluable source of information and I
love working with them.  ( Will miss them now that I am on leave to return
to school) (Where's that sheet with the symbol for sadness when I need it!)

jHave a good Sunday, all!


.Cynthia J. Church RN,BSN,IBCLC