Fri 20 Apr 2012
In preparation for introducing Allie to solids this weekend, I’ve been reading up on how to make this transition. You know what my research has mostly showed? That it’s best to hold off for another month. Keeping the baby exclusively on breast milk the first 6 months lowers the chances of obesity, of childhood asthma (by as much as 50%!), of ear infections, allergic reactions to food, all sorts of stuff. Plus, early introduction to solids has warnings attached: increased chances of constipation as the digestive system may not be mature enough to handle the foods, tons of foods I’ve gotta remember I CAN’T feed the baby yet until 6 months (grains with gluten, such as barley, wheat), and I have to be careful to cook, strain and peel everything until she’s 6 months. Everywhere I look there’s a caveat of “…but if your baby is under 6 months, add this step,” or “…wait until 6 months to feed this food to decrease chance of allergic reaction.” So I may as well wait instead of memorizing all the exceptions.
Here’s something interesting about the magic of breast milk: it is a medicine cabinet. We know it’s sterile, and has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Some uses aside from nourishment include:
* diaper rash treatment – applied topically, breast milk improved diaper rash slightly FASTER than those zinc oxide diaper rash creams you’d buy over the counter (a 2009 study shows).
* nose clearer – I’ve been using saline drops for clearing Allie’s nostrils, but apparently, you can squirt 2 drops of breast milk in each nostril and then suck it out with an aspirator, just like I already do with the saline, and the breast milk antibodies in the nostrils may help relieve nasal irritation.
* eye treatment – itchy eyes from pinkeye or conjunctivitis (mild cases that don’t need prescription meds, I mean) can be relieved with 2 drops of breast milk in the infected eye twice a day as an antibiotic. So for my mom friends who have felt a little bad about squirting their baby in the eye during breastfeeding at times…you’ve been keeping the eye healthy!
* skin ointment – dabbing some milk on a scrape or scratch helps heal the area like antibacterial cream.
* soothing eczema – blot the dry patches with a cotton pad dipped in breast milk; it also makes for a great lubricant.
I’m thinking I should just store up a bottle and place it in my medicine cabinet. (Kidding, I know it has to be refrigerated.)
Cindy: I’m just giving my two cents worth but I think as long as she is becoming full on the breast alone I’d keep on for at least another month. Just my thoughts for what they are worth, the beauty of having your own child is YOU get to make most if not all of the rules!!!! I feed our daughter breast milk exclusively until she was a lil over nine months. At that point she began giving signals she was not being fed enough. Such as not sleeping through the night or naps and wanting to be fed more often. At that point I just fed her rice feral mixed with breast milk in the AM and PM. Then around 11-12 months I began three meals a day. Of course neither of mine began teething until 11-13 months. Our son at 11 months and our daughter getting her first at 13 months. I’m so happy things are going well for you!!!! Way to go mommy!!! I’ve been reading but haven’t commented lately as I’ve been in the hospital and just not up to it. You have come along way,mommy!!!!!!! It made me smile while still at club med when I read you post about how much more confident you have become since the early days!!!!!!! Although I don’t know you in person i have thought of you often hoping you would get to this place as well as feeling so bad for you!!!!! As I’ve so been there, our son was born when I was 23. We lived a good 900 miles from the closest family memeber so it was only hubby and I. I could so relate to your feelings!!!!! Enjoy your weekend.
Sorry didn’t realize I had so much say!!!
I was thinking “uh…” when you said you wanted to start Allie on solids, but I figured the info is everywhere, you’ll find out for yourself, plus my baby was a really late teether, whereas yours is an extra early teether, so maybe she’s ready, who knows. Mine didn’t seriously eat solids until past 18 months. Before that she was welcome to try everything, but because she didn’t show much enthusiasm, I just kept her on bm.
Marie – I LIKE your long comments! Thank you for all your support, feedback, and shared experiences!
You’re in the hospital? What happened? Are you okay?
idlehouse – a lot of babies around me have been on solids before Allie’s age, so it kind of became a “norm.” But I’ve decided (independently) to hold out some more, just to play it safe and stall a little until I have to deal with smelly poopies. 🙂 When did May cut her first tooth?
I think past 7 months
I also didn’t introduce any solid until mine went past 6 months, just to be safe.
Thanks Cindy!!!! Yes I am currently in the hospital. Nothing new actually not sure how far back you read my blog but anyway I am currently in need of a kidney transplant but again nothing. I have a bad kidney infection and since I only have one and it’s barely hanging on I’m admitted fairly often. I think this is a record for me as this is my first admission since Jan of 11!!!!! The cliff notes basically are this, while working in CCU I got a staph infection and over a period of time lost my right kidney and bladder as well. Hope you were able to enjoy Allie and your weekend!!! Feel free to ask any questions I don’t mind answering them it certainly isn’t an every day thing that occurs but nurses do at times pick bugs from work not always to this extent.
Marie – wow, I had no idea! I knew staph was a vicious, stubborn bug but I didn’t know it could do damage like that. First admission since 1/11 is a nice long stretch. You’ll be in my prayers.
I say let her breastfeed as long as possible. At least until she is old enough to ask for it. Then it gets a little creepy.