How long to exclusively breast feed?

[starla]

Hi! I just came back from a Pediatrician appt with my 4 mo. old son. The doctor wants me to start introducing cereals this month, then begin adding vegetable, then fruits a month later. I thought that I should exclusively breast feed for six months. Please advise. He weighs 19 lbs. and is 27 inches in length.

[debbie_page]

Yes, babies should only get breastmilk for at least 6 months. Then when baby can sit up and has good head control and no longer has a tongue thrust they are ready for solids. Introducing solids before is not the recommendation of all world organizations and the gut is not ready for solids until at least 6 months

[niku2]

what exactly is a tongue thrust?

[debbie_page]

The movement of tongue pushing everything out of his mouth.

[starla]

My son is sitting up and has head control, but how do I determine the tongue thrust? He also has cut two teeth, does this change the situation?

[debbie_page]

Still his gut is not mature and ready for solid foods until 6 months. Anytime before that puts him a higher risk of allergies and developing GI problems even 30-40 years down the road.