My 9 month old is almost exclusively breastfed. We have tried a variety of foods with her, mostly piecing off what we are eating, but she doesn't seem to like it. Mostly she chews on things for a minute, then spits them out. I've also tried a few jars of baby food, but she takes a couple bites then refuses to let me put any more in her mouth. I know it's healthy to exclusively breastfeed up to age one, but she's starting to nurse more to the point that I am sore. Also, I occasionally leave her for a few hours and would like it if she would take some baby food to hold her off until I get back. Any suggestions?
I had the same thing with my little ones. Being that breastmilk is sweet I just stuck with fruits at first. They seemed to like the taste, and it got them used to the texture of food. Then I got them into other foods.
S.,
Meant to write you earlier. My baby didn't want to eat/drink anything but my milk for almost a year, then went straight to table foods. So hang in there, I thought I'd be exclusively nursing till she was in kindergarten, but she's gradually wheaning herself off. And she does like to eat!
And wonderful for you for breastfeeding her.
K.
Keep trying. And don't be afraid to try foods like avocado, sweet potato, and cereal mixed with breastmilk (of course.) Also try different textures. Some babies prefer lumpy over smooth. Ummm.. Yeah, just mix it up and offer her a little something before each (breast) feeding.
have you tried some sort of cereal mixed with breastmilk? thats what my ped said to try when we started, because with your milk it has a much more familiar flavor. sorry i dont have more or better advice, duncan is pretty accepting of new stuff. good luck!
Does she appear ready to eat in other ways...like does she watch you eat? My son would watch the fork go from the plate to my mouth and my ped said that was a sign he was ready. I too went with the rice cereal first - you can mix it with breast milk (maybe that was said already). Once my son got the hang of that, he went to town. He loved cottage cheese and applesause - soft but not baby food, right? Also, you might try those things Gerber makes that kind of melt in your mouth and taste a little sweet but not too powerful.
As far as the pain when nursing, believe me I feel your pain!! Apparently they start playing with the nipple. I have to tell my son frequently to not use his teeth, etc.
Good luck!
L.
