Nursing Mothers of Raleigh - breastfeeding support meetings

1.   Development readiness in baby

• Baby can sit up by him/her self.
• Baby tries to grab food.
• Baby's tongue starts pulling food in, rather than pushing it out.

2.  Window of opportunity

• Too early: choking, allergies, gas.
• Too late: nutrition, feeding difficulties.

3.  Managing breastfeeding and solids

• Up to baby's first birthday, breast milk first!.
• After age one, solids first, then breast milk.

4.  How to begin feeding solids

• Starting solids should be a fun experience.
• Social time with your family.
• Rice cereal: one first food, hypoallergenic.
• Only 1/2 teaspoon for their first meal.
• Don't feed from a baby food container: contamination with saliva.
• You don't have to buy food in jars.

5.  Texture of foods

• Some babies need their food pureed.
• Use grinder to prepare food for baby from what you will serve your family, prior to seasoning.
• Freeze portions in an ice cube tray.
• Some babies like to pick up small pieces of food, vs being spoon fed.

6.  How to introduce foods;

• Serve same food for 3 - 5 days to check for reactions.
• Introduce one food at a time.
• If they don't like something, move on to other things.
• Try rejected foods again later.
• Watch out for combined foods in jars.
• Take note of allergy issues in your family.

7.  Signs of allergic reactions

• rash, diaper or on face
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• nasal congestion
• fussiness

8.  Foods to avoid for the first year

• Common allergens (i.e. egg whites...)
• Choking hazards (i.e hot dogs...)

9.  The process of weaning

• Weaning begins when the first bite of solid food goes into your baby's mouth.
• Baby-led weaning process.
• Mother-led weaning process.

10.  Concerns for sudden weaning

• Comfort measures.
• Emotional support needs: Mom and Baby.

11.  Strategies to make things easier

• Substituting bottle or cup.
• Keeping yourself comfortable.
• Using distractions.
• What is partial weaning?.