New territory...breastfeeding and starting solids

Well, it's really up to you when you want to start them on solids. The best rule of thumb is if they act like they are still hungry after they nurse, you could give them some solids. I would suggest that you nurse first, then offer solids. Solids are not supposed to take the place of a feeding, but be extra food at a feeding time. If your child has no desire for solids, doesn't act like he's hungry after you nurse him, I wouldn't worry too much, but do try to get him started on solids by six months, as there have been cases of older babies whom refuse to eat solids, and its easier to get them to try new things when they are younger. If you nurse your baby and then wait a couple of hours and then offer solids, you will mess up his feeding schedule. Also, if he is sleeping through the night, and you feel comfortable doing so, you could transition him to a four hour feeding schedule, which may increase his need for solids. To be mindful of your milk supply, don't offer much juice, as it fills their little tummy's but doesn't offer much nutritional value. I have been worried about my milk supply lately, as my six month old has been rejecting nursing more and more lately. I have cut down on his solids, and it hasn't changed any. My oldest weaned himself at nine months, and my youngest is acting like he wants to wean himself. I am pumping as much as I can, hoping this is just a phase, only time will tell. But normally, people don't have much problem with the transition, and their milk supply doesn't usually suffer. Good luck!

You can proceed through the growth spurts and nurse more. That is when you see the baby wanting to eat every 2 or 3 hours. I didn't start my twins on anything solid until they were about 6 months old. You can express your milk when a baby misses a usual feeding to keep your supply steady. Just pour it into a clean glass jar and refrigerate it. It can be mixed with the cereal you feed to the baby and it will still be better for him or her, than cow's milk. Cow's milk and formula tend to make the baby's stool harder and so you are taking a chance on the development of stomach issues while making the transition to solid food. If you slowly substitute formula it might go easier on the baby.

My baby was bottle fed, but he did start eating at 4 months, he was so much more content after that, even though to start with it was about 1 tablespoon a day and gradually went up every couple of days. He put on (not that he was skinny or anything)weight and the doctors were very pleased with him. I fed him first and then finished off with the bottle.

hi i started my daughter early when she hit 10 lbs. Dr. told me she wasn't filling up on the milk. She was bottled fed. She was eating every 3 hrs and still was always looking for more.Now my boys where nursed. I started them with a little bit of cereal. justa few baby spoons won't hurt. Just enough to hold them over. As long as your nursing the milk should be any less.