EBF and solid starting

Hi mums, my baby is now 7,5 months old and EBF since birth. I am a bit concerned about his transition to solids. We started introducing solids when he was around 5,5 months old, starting off with puree and rice cereal, when he wa about 6 months old I did a combination of spoon feeding and BLW. The thing is since he started until now he hasn’t been much interested in food in general, he hates spoon feeding, and not very into finger foods as well. Every meal, he would try 2-3 spoons/bites of food then scream to get out of the chair and wants the boobs instead. He doesn’t have much favourite food, except for baby rusks, and yogurts. I’ve been trying to change his routine, extend the hours between feedings, but nothing seems to work. If I offer food when he’s hungry he would refuse food until he gets to breastfeed. If I offer food when he’s not hungry, still he can only sit on the chair for 15min and scream to get out. We went for a checkup and he is a bit slow in weight gain, and the nurse suggested to cut down the amount of breastmilk, including night feeds and change the nurse to sleep habit (he is currently fed every 3-4 hours during the day. and about 3 times during the night). I am a bit hesitant to cut down night feeds since he’s nursed to sleep and he’s only settled with the boobs during the night, and I still prefer him nurse to sleep, but the nurse did make a point about him having enough calories from milk feeds that’s why he is not interested in food. I am really concerned because not only because he is currenly slow in weight gain, also I didn’t expect it would be this hard to start him on solids since my first child was bottle fed and the whole eating experience was pretty straightforward with her. When it comes to mealtime, I don’t know what to prepare for him as he would refuse it and it can be quite stressful and discouraging. Have you experienced this with your EBF babies, how did you deal with it and what should I do to make sure he gets enough nutrients from food? TIA.

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So sorry! Your milk is going to be the primary and best source of nutrition until 12 months. If anything, increase feeding with breast milk!! Solids are there to mainly explore now and get some iron. A few bites every day is enough and it isn’t recommended to try food when baby is hungry. Solid starts just released an awesome book you should get. But keep introducing a variety and provide solids a little bit after breastmilk so that food can be fun and not as much to fill belly. Sitting for 15 minutes is an accomplishment, not a fail!!

My daughter is 6.5 months and EBF since birth. My best advice would be to just keep intorducing new foods/ textures. My little one is the same. Some days she wont eat anything and some days she will only have 2/3 spoons. What I have found helps to encourage her is to sit her down whilst we are eating and either give her some puree or finger food at this time. She tends to sit with us the whole time and has more interest in her food! Ive also been told by my HV to not cut any of her milk feeds as she will still need the same amount of milk whilst weaning. Milk is their main source of nutrition up to 12 months and even if they don’t eat any foods at all, as long as they are having their milk feeds its okay! So increasing your feeds and not cutting them out should be the best thing to help with weight gain. Dont feel too pressured if your baby isn’t eating as much as you think! A few spoon sof something is an accomplishment! You’re doing great x

I would honestly report that nurse, babies are meant to feed to sleep and feed throughout the night, that’s insane to suggest cutting that out for a 7 month old! Plus telling you to cut down the amount of breastmilk is completely wrong, the amount of milk consumed shouldn’t decrease during weaning, you should be introducing solid foods alongside breastmilk not replacing it. It’s best to offer solids when they’re not hungry, as it’s not meant to be for nutrients but to explore new tastes and textures. My daughter has a mamas & papas bug seat that we’ve always used for mealtimes, when she was younger I found she tolerated the chair better when it was on the floor not strapped to the dining chair so you could try something like that for a change of scenery? All babies are so different and some take to food quicker than others, it’s nothing to worry about just keep offering with no pressure and keep up EBF 🫶🏼

You could try nursing and then offer solids about an hour afterwards. That's what I do for my 11 month old, that way your baby isn't super hangry and will hopefully be more open to things. Definitely keep the night feeds if you want to, no need to cut back on milk!

Thank you all for your advice. That’s very assuring to hear that, now I feel less guilty for keep feeding him on demand. Hopefully he will pick up the pace with solid after 1.

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