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Sampling Solids
Introducing Breastfed Babies to Mush and Other Foods
By CJ Johnson
Lechtenberg believes that a common mistake of breastfeeding mothers is to adjust the nursing schedule to accommodate adding solids. Substituting a solid feeding for a breastfeeding can cause a decrease in milk production. If not corrected promptly, a decrease in milk production can follow, and mothers might be inclined to wean their babies too soon.
"Mother's milk is the most important part of her baby's diet for the entire first year of life," Lechtenberg says. "Solid foods are supplementary and often low in calories and nutrition when compared to Mother's milk."
It is crucial to keep Mama's milk flowing while introducing solids. Lechtenberg feels strongly that the breastfeeding schedule should not be adjusted, and that Baby should continue to feed on demand.
"If the baby is less interested in nursing, a good idea is to nurse the baby first, and then provide solid foods after," Lechtenberg says. She also recommends that mothers pay attention to the volume their babies are consuming in solids. "If they exceed the one tablespoon volume, then I would recommend [moms] decrease the solid food volume and add an additional breastfeed," she says.
If the mother is concerned that Baby is not nursing as often and her milk supply is decreasing, she can keep track of the length of nursing sessions. Lechtenberg says that babies at this age are easily distracted and may need to be nursed in an area with fewer distractions.
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