La Leche League, along with the World Health Organization, recommends that moms exclusively breastfeed for at least the first 6 months (or until baby is showing signs of readiness). By exclusive, we mean that baby should receive no solids or supplementation before then. Breastmilk has all the nourishment a baby needs. The signs of readiness include sitting up by him or herself, gag reflex is diminshed, pincer grasp is established, and showing an interest in solids. However, even after starting solids, La Leche League recommends that moms first nurse baby and then (if the baby is still hungry) offer solids. Until the first year, solids are just supplementing the breastmilk.
Once baby is ready for solids, feel free to offer family foods. Although it is common practice among many to give rice cereal to babies, there is absolutely no need to offer it. Rice cereal has no nutritional value; its popularity is due to it being known as an allergen free food. However, if baby has waited to start solids until six months, it is not necessary to offer rice cereal. A few good foods to begin with are sweet potatoes, cooked carrots, beans, and bananas. La Leche League recommends that moms wait at least three to five days before offering a new food; this way you can see if something is causing baby to have an allergic reaction.
This fantastic article outlines ten reasons to delay solids until at least six months of age.
La Leche League of Southern Indiana
7/30/11
1/16/11
Assessing your milk supply
Mothers frequently give up breastfeeding in the early days because they think they are not providing enough milk for their babies. If there is a medical need to supplement, you can use your own pumped milk first. You can feed the baby with the use of a finger feeder, cup, spoon, syringe, eye dropper, or a supplemental feeding system. Bottles and artificial nipples should be avoided until breastfeeding is well established.
The following are indications that the baby is receiving enough milk and does NOT need to be supplemented.
*Weight gain of at least 4 to 6 ounces per week
*Birth weight regained by 10 days to 2 weeks
*Frequent wet diapers after the first 3 days--at least 5 or more in 24 hours
*Meconium has cleared from baby's stool by day 3 to 4 and bowel movements are bright yellow, loose, unformed, and frequent (at least 3 in 24 hours)
*Baby's skin is soft and moist and baby shows no signs of dehydration
*Baby is awake, alert, and eager to breastfeed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours
*Baby seems satisfied after actively sucking for 10 to 20 minutes on one breast and is usually willing to continue feeding on the other side
*Baby can be observed swallowing regularly during feedings; normal sucking pattern at the breast is suck, suck, swallow. Listen for the slight "ka,ka,ka" sound as baby swallows and watch for a pause in jaw movements
*Mother may or may not observe signs of the milk let-down which can include a tingling feeling or leaking from the other breast
*Mother's breast may seem softer after milk transfer has occurred
The following are indications that the baby is receiving enough milk and does NOT need to be supplemented.
*Weight gain of at least 4 to 6 ounces per week
*Birth weight regained by 10 days to 2 weeks
*Frequent wet diapers after the first 3 days--at least 5 or more in 24 hours
*Meconium has cleared from baby's stool by day 3 to 4 and bowel movements are bright yellow, loose, unformed, and frequent (at least 3 in 24 hours)
*Baby's skin is soft and moist and baby shows no signs of dehydration
*Baby is awake, alert, and eager to breastfeed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours
*Baby seems satisfied after actively sucking for 10 to 20 minutes on one breast and is usually willing to continue feeding on the other side
*Baby can be observed swallowing regularly during feedings; normal sucking pattern at the breast is suck, suck, swallow. Listen for the slight "ka,ka,ka" sound as baby swallows and watch for a pause in jaw movements
*Mother may or may not observe signs of the milk let-down which can include a tingling feeling or leaking from the other breast
*Mother's breast may seem softer after milk transfer has occurred
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