Maureen,
This is from my personal experience with my first child.  I had a history of
eczema in my teens on my hands and arms.  Nursing went well until he started
solids at 4mos. (this was the recommendation from the doctor 23 years ago).
When I saw my dermatologist he suggested I wean and begrudgingly prescribed
a steroid Rx (to be used once a day at bedtime rather than 3 times a day to
reduce the baby's exposure) I went to a La Leche League meeting.  Someone
suggested that I only nurse BEFORE giving solids and IF I nursed immediately
AFTER he ate I might wipe out his mouth first. I also heard that I could
wait until 6 months to start solids and give foods the baby could feed
himself like banana.

I gladly stopped his solid feedings then since they were really messy and
unhappy.  My eczema cleared in 3 days and I stopped the medication.  When he
started over with solids at 6 months I nursed first then offered the solid
food.  It was entirely different picture.  He was ready and able to eat and
I never had a recurrence of eczema on the nipple.

I hope this helps.

Valerie Vanderlip. LLLL, BA, IBCLC, RLC
Georgia, USA

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