I'm sorry if you feel that this is out of line, but I just thought I'd mention that a lot of sources recommended that you don't start introducing solids until at least 6 months of age. I'm sure you are already aware of the advantages of continuing to breastfeed for as long as possible, so I won't even get into that (although if you are in pain, have you sought the assistance of a breastfeeding nurse to help you/check everything is ok with your latch etc?), but I thought you might not be aware of the solids things.
Why wait until about 6 months? -Solids are not needed earlier, so they only make unnecessary work for parents. -Starting solids does not usually help babies sleep at night. -There is more risk of allergy to some foods if they are started early. -Young babies are more likely to get infections - such as "tummy bugs" (gastro) than older children, so you need to take great care with preparing and storing food for them. There is less risk after 6 months. -A young baby may become constipated on solid foods. -Young babies may not be able to digest some foods well. -If the baby is eating other foods he may take less breast milk so your breasts will make less and he may not get as much milk as he needs for healthy growth. -It can be hard to get solid foods into a young baby because of his "tongue thrust reflex" which makes him push them straight out again. -Young babies are less able to tell you when they have had enough so they can be overfed.
Thanks for the info. Our pediatrician and the books that I've read have said that you can start to introduce foods at 3-6 months. Of course, only after he's eaten his formula / milk...and of course not introduce foods that are popular for allergies until 12 months (nuts & such). The book that I read said to (when we decide to introduce solids) give him a small spoonful and if he spits it out to put it away for a week and try again. This is because he just isn't ready yet.
I've been going to a lactation consultant every week to get help breastfeeding. Even when I get him to latch well, it still hurts. We think it's his tongue positioning...or just that my nipples are just SO traumatized that they can never heal. Of course, it doesn't help that I never got a good amount of milk supply. (Think that's because of the surgery I had 7 years ago.) I don't feel too bad about it, he's well fed and I gave it a good try. I just can't take it anymore.
I googled a few articles for you to read if you want, but the gist is (from here http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=302&id=1487)
Why wait until about 6 months?
-Solids are not needed earlier, so they only make unnecessary work for parents.
-Starting solids does not usually help babies sleep at night.
-There is more risk of allergy to some foods if they are started early.
-Young babies are more likely to get infections - such as "tummy bugs" (gastro) than older children, so you need to take great care with preparing and storing food for them. There is less risk after 6 months.
-A young baby may become constipated on solid foods.
-Young babies may not be able to digest some foods well.
-If the baby is eating other foods he may take less breast milk so your breasts will make less and he may not get as much milk as he needs for healthy growth.
-It can be hard to get solid foods into a young baby because of his "tongue thrust reflex" which makes him push them straight out again.
-Young babies are less able to tell you when they have had enough so they can be overfed.
I think the biggest concern here is allergies.
Here are some other links I found, but you could google more:
http://www.babycenter.com.au/baby/startingsolids/introducing/
http://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc
http://www.motherhood.com.au/mother/Baby__food.htm
http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsheets/fobabyj.htm
All the best.
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I've been going to a lactation consultant every week to get help breastfeeding. Even when I get him to latch well, it still hurts. We think it's his tongue positioning...or just that my nipples are just SO traumatized that they can never heal. Of course, it doesn't help that I never got a good amount of milk supply. (Think that's because of the surgery I had 7 years ago.) I don't feel too bad about it, he's well fed and I gave it a good try. I just can't take it anymore.
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