Do I Need to Start Weaning My 9-Month Who Just Wants to Nurse?

Keep nursing as long as possible... helps to make your son better in all sorts of ways. My son preferred nursing at 9 months as well. However, it was about 10 months when he started wanting more solids. We have certain times that he still nurses, but other than that he gets finger foods and occasionally some baby food. He's only a few months older than yours... so do not despair. There will also be some food strikes where he won't want anything that you put in front of him. Just go with the flow... he'll come back around. My son is already showing me that we will need to invest in grocery stock in order to be able to afford him as a teenager! LOL

My son wouldn't touch food until he was 11 1/2 months. My son's doctor said he was perfectly healthy and it was just fine to only nurse him. I had him completly weined by 15 months due to being 4 months pregnant. It was like one day he hated it and the next he couldn't get enough. Give him a little time, he'll come around.

HI A.,

It's always something isn't it!? :)

This is a hard thing to advise on as we don't know your baby and a lot of how easy the transition goes depends on the baby. That being said, I don't think you need to worry about starting a transition from breast to solids. Based on his stats it sounds like he's getting plenty of nutrients from the finger foods and milk anyway. Most of the eating done now (per my Dr.) is getting used to the idea of real food and the various tastes and textures it offers. The nutrients still come from you or formula.

My experience has been that the bigger a "deal" I make out of stuff the bigger the battle. I'd go back to breast and keep the finger foods available but don't worry if he doesn't want them right now. He'll come around when he sees how much you enjoy it. As is just about everything with a baby, it's probably just a phase that he will grow out of. :)

Enjoy your time breastfeeding. When you stop there is both a great feeling of freedom but also a loss of your special time. Don't worry about how you'll get him to stop when the time comes. No sense in fretting over what has yet to occur. He might surprise you and wean himself. You just never know.

xoxo,
T.

It sounds like your son is pretty normal, especially since he just got over some serious illnesses. It just might take a little time before he is interested in testing his tummy with solids more.

Do you want him weaned by 12 months? Or do you want to start weaning him at 12 months? Those are different scenarios. If you start weaning him at 12 months, it may take a few months to cut out all the feedings, depending on how many he is at.

Honestly, I would just be patient with the little guy. Some kids completely reject solids until they are even older, so I wouldn't worry so much if he is getting his nutrition through your milk. He might be still sensitive to the memory of the stomach virus and needs time to get over it. It is hard to tell when a babe is completely recovered from such a thing. Just keep offering the food and don't put any pressure on him to eat the food. If you're worried about nutrition, you can talk to your pediatrician.

It's up to you. He's old enough.