Why Delay Solid Foods?

Lots of folks that I talk to like to ask questions about Muffin, like "How is she sleeping?" and "Is she on cereal yet?" Well, those are among the many questions that I usually respond with short answers to, but they are pretty complex issues. It sort or reminds me of how people ask you "How are you today?" expecting you to answer "Great!" They don't want to sit and listen to the fact that you've had the crappiest day ever, you are running late, your dog got ran over, etc., etc, etc. You get my point.

Muffin has not had cereal or any other sort of baby food yet. As parents, Luke and I decided that we want to follow the guidelines that have been set forth by the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which clearly state that babies should be exclusively breastfed for at least the first six months of life.

The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months.)

* World Health Organization
* UNICEF
* US Department of Health & Human Services
* American Academy of Pediatrics
* American Academy of Family Physicians
* American Dietetic Association

Most babies will become developmentally and physiologically ready to eat solids by 6-9 months of age. For some babies, delaying solids longer than six months can be a good thing; for example, some doctors may recommend delaying solids for 12 months if there is a family history of allergies.
* Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness. As long as mama is breastfeeding, baby gets her immunity to illness!
* Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature.
* Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.
* Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.
* Delaying solids helps to protect baby from future obesity.
* Delaying solids helps mama maintain her milk supply.
* Delaying solids helps to space babies. The more frequently a baby nurses, the less likely mama's fertility will return. This is obviously not a dependable form of birth control, but it is helpful.
* Delaying solids makes starting solids easier. Baby can feed herself and is less likely to develop food allergies.

For more information on breastfeeding, I have found that one of the best sites out there is www.kellymom.com. Check it out. Here is a direct link to a more detailed article about delaying solids.

...On the Topic of Breastfeeding

Unfortunately, babies don't just get hungry at home. They get hungry at the mall. They get hungry at the restaurant. The get hungry at the library. They get hungry at church. And they even get hungry at Target!

My sister, an executive with Target, forwarded this info to me from Target Headquarters:

Tom Lyden, investigative reporter at Fox News in Minneapolis, is reporting on an incident that occurred this week at the Eastland Target store in Michigan. The incident involved a guest who was breastfeeding in our store, and resulted in a call to law enforcement by the store. Tom contacted Target Communications seeking comment. The following messages were shared:

* Target has a long-standing corporate policy that supports breastfeeding in our stores. Guests who choose to breastfeed in public areas of the store are welcome to do so without being made to feel uncomfortable. Additionally, we support the use of fitting rooms for women who wish to breastfeed their babies, even if others are waiting to use the fitting rooms.

* We regret that the situation escalated and have apologized to the guest for her experience.

* To ensure nursing mothers feel welcome in our stores we are reinforcing our breastfeeding policy with our team in all 1,744 stores across the country.

So, despite the fact that there was a really unfortunate incident that happened in Michigan, this has caused Target to re-train their team members on the policy. Good for you, Target!

In 2006, Kentucky passed legislation that affirms a mother’s right to breastfeed or express breast milk in public. The law says breastfeeding or expressing milk for a child “shall not be considered an act of public indecency and shall not be considered indecent exposure, sexual conduct, lewd touching, or obscenity.”

No one blinks an eye at a mama who pulls out a bottle to feed or comfort her baby. But when a breastfeeding mama feeds her baby in public, everyone is all up in arms. Give me a break. Why is this even a topic of debate requiring legislation? I don't know. Check out this link.

As breastfeeding mamas, we are giving our babies the most nutritious food available. I don't know how in the world something so natural has become such a deviation from the norm, but I am going to continue to meet my child's needs, in public or not. I have never had any problems feeding Muffin in public, with the exception of a glare or two, probably because I am as discreet as humanly possible. But it is not something I am ashamed of or try to "hide away" to do.

I am quite proud that I have chosen to give my baby the best start she can have. Hopefully I can serve as inspiration to brand new mamas or mamas-to-be who see me out. Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby and it can be done in public without giving on-lookers a peep show!

What are your thoughts on breastfeeding? Do you use nursing cover-ups while breastfeeding in public? What is your favorite nursing accessory? I couldn't live without my Bebe au Lait!