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My daughter is 8 1/2 months and still exclusively
breastfed. She is happy and healthy and sitting on the average on the growth
charts. She is
gaining approx 100 grams a week and doesn't seem interested in any other
food. I don't want
to introduce other foods if it isn't neccessary, but how do I tell? My gut tells me she
will tell me when her body needs more, but I am being pressured by various health
professionals to introduce iron fortified rice cereal. I know iron is an issue and
anemia
is a huge problem in children .I don't want to hurt my baby nor do I wish to introduce
solids if it isn't necessary.
How can I tell if she is iron deficient? Should I have a blood test done (a daunting
prospect!)? Is there anyone out there who has exclusively breastfed this long or longer
and can offer some pearls of wisdom? Is there any research in this area? I would
appreciate any support available.
 Listen to your gut! You know your daughter much
better than anyone else. You are a wonderful mom for trying so hard to do what is best for
your little girl. Follow your heart! Many children are exclusively breastfed for longer
than the typical 6 months of age and there are many mothers who do not give any baby food
to their babies and simply wait until the baby shows a desire for the food everyone else
is eating at the dinner table. The best rule of thumb is to always nurse the baby first
and she will tell you when she is ready to try something from your plate.
Also keep in mind that some "children who are prone to food
allergies or intolerances are not interested in solids until they are 8 or 9 months old or
even older" (The Breastfeeding Answer Book p. 143). Anemia is uncommon in the
breastfed baby! The amount of iron in breast milk may be small; however, it is well
absorbed with 49% absorption as opposed to 10% from cow's milk and 4% from iron-fortified
formula. The high lactose and vitamin C level in human milk aid in the absorption. It is
also important to know that breastfed babies do not lose iron through bowels, as do babies
fed cow's milk.
Michelle, there is a simply hemoglobin test that can be done at the doctor's office if
you are concerned about anemia. This test is certainly worth it instead of introducing
something that your baby is not ready for. The normal levels are 10.2 to 15 gm/dL.
"The
Breastfeeding Answer Book" mentions a study that was done of breastfed babies who were not
given iron supplements or iron-fortified cereals found that those who were exclusively
breastfed for seven months or longer had significantly higher hemoglobin levels at one
year than breastfed babies who received solid foods earlier than seven months (Pisacane
1995).
So, continue to nurse your baby first keeping in mind that this is her most important part
of her nutrition even after she starts solids. In the beginning solids are meant to
introduce her to different textures since she is already familiar with the different
tastes through your breast milk. Even when she has those occasional days in the toddler
years when she is not eating, you know that she is doing okay because you continue to
nurse her. Your breast milk will always continue to provide her with a lot of
goodness!
Yvonne C. Bannister, B Sc, CBC, LLLL, IBCLC
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