Nutrition, Dieting & Breastfeeding

Do breastfed babies avoid solid foods?

Our son just turned 6 months yesterday and he will not eat baby food.  We started trying to give it to him at about 4 1/2 months old.  He pierces his lips shut and won't let the food get in.  We've tried all kinds of tricks but he's too smart! Is this a common reaction to baby food for breast fed babies? I plan to breastfeed him until about age 1.  I didn't know if this was something that is common to others.  Thank you for reading this and I look forward to hearing from you.





Many babies do not start eating solid foods until at least six months, so Thomas may not have been developmentally ready to do so when you first tried at 4 1/2 months.  Six months is an appropriate age for a baby to start solids.  However, this does not need to be baby food.  It is perfectly fine for Thomas to begin eating regular table food at this age.  He does not need to eat baby food at all.  In fact, I suggest that you not even try giving him baby food any longer. Instead, offer him finger foods to supplement the breastmilk that he gets each day.  He may prefer finger foods that he can eat himself, and this allows him to control his own food intake.  It also can make your life much easier!

You should not expect a baby at this age (6 months) to pick up food and eat like an older child or adult would.  Instead, he will probably smell the food, play with it, mush it in his hands, then taste it.  This is normal. Developmentally, it is unlikely that a 6 month old wouldn't be interested in picking up food and at least exploring it.  Take advantage of his developmental stage! Don't push him to eat, but do offer foods.

Try putting small pieces of table food in front of Thomas when you are eating, and let him control his diet.  Try small pieces of soft, cooked meats (such as ground, chicken, or liver), cooked vegetables, soft fruits (such as bananas, cantaloupe, peaches, or pears), and pieces of bread or cooked pasta to start. Avoid foods that are likely to produce allergies or that can be a choking hazard.  This includes globs of peanut butter on a spoon, any nuts, raw carrots, or raw apples.

It is wonderful that you want to breastfeed for a year.  As that time approaches, you may even want to continue nursing Thomas longer than that, which is perfectly fine.  You could also introduce Thomas to a cup with water, juice, or cow's milk (after he is one year old), and let him drink himself, too.

In summary, I think that it is quite normal for an infant who has had control of his food intake through breastfeeding to want to continue this- and I'd say more power to him!



 

Important Disclaimer

This Breastfeeding.com service is designed to help visitors obtain advice and guidance. You are solely responsible for the outcome of any services and/or advice you are given.   Breastfeeding.com is not responsible for any services and/or advice given by the consultants, and shall not be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced. Your participation in this service is solely at your own risk