The Nursing Baby - Q&A

Dear Mom,
It is very normal to have conflicted feelings when your baby begins solids. Just like when a baby first sits up or first learns to walk, we often feel a sense of pride but also a sadness that a phase of our baby's life is over, never to be recaptured again! It seems like mothers have this feeling much more intensely than fathers usually do.

I want to caution you on solids, though, since you mention you *do* want to nurse for a year. Solids should not be give before 6 months according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Before 6 months, although many babies are ready, early solids can increase rates of food allergies and increase rates of colitis for adults. A good recommendation to follow is to keep solids no more than 10% of your baby's diet between 6-9 months (or about 100 calories a day) and no more than 25% of your baby's diet between 9 and 12 months. At the turn of the century doctors recommended no solids before 12 months. 30 years ago doctors recommended solids in the first week! I would advise you to follow your instincts on feeding baby solids during the first year, since you and your baby are unique!

Your last question is the most complicated! Babies rarely self wean during the first year unless they are offered bottles of supplementary liquids (although there are still significant numbers who will self wean to solids). 9-10 months is often considered a 'weaning' age, and also a prime nursing strike age. Most babies who pass this age are less likely to self-wean on their own without some encouragement (distractions, limit setting, etc). An excellent book on weaning is Kathleen Huggins, "The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning".

These tips are not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.