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Expert Q&A
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| By Melissa Clark Vickers International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn. | ||
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My baby is 6 weeks old and my grandmother is trying to push bottles of formula and cereal on him. She says that if I don't give him any cereal he'll be sickly. Now my question is, since my baby is breastfeeding and is gaining weight, should I have to give him any cereal right now?
Your grandmother wants only the best for your baby -- and you are already giving him that! When she was a new mother, the trend was to feed cereal (and formula) as early as possible. Now, we know that breastmilk is all your baby needs for at least the first 6 months of his life. Nothing could be more nutritious than your milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and then continuing at least until the baby's first year -- and as long after that as mother and baby wish! (You can show your grandmother their breastfeeding policy by going to the AAP website.)
Not only is your breastmilk the most nutritious thing you can feed your baby, it is also providing a wealth of protection from all manner of illness -- from minor colds to serious infections. When you take your baby to the doctor and get good reports on his growth and health, be sure to share those with your grandmother.
Look for other areas that you can call on your grandmother for her expertise so she'll feel appreciated. And even when she gives you advice you just know you can't follow, you can at least respond to her with something like, ""Gee, that's really interesting! I'm going to think about that."" or, ""My baby and I are really blessed to have a grandmother who cares so much about us."" In this way, you validate her love but don't commit to outdated advice!
Hope this helps!
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