Attached to Baby

My child is two weeks old.  Since she is getting mostly breast milk, I was wondering if that is enough for her. When does a child normally start eating solids. My doctor has told me it is not unusual at her age for her to be mostly nursing. When she is a bit older should I  resort to formula feeding. At present I am just nursing her. Bought a nursing shirt from Topmommy which is very comfy.

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends not starting solids until 6 months of age. Babies' little digestive systems are not matured enough, especially at 2 weeks old, for any food other than mommy's milk or formula...breastmilk being best if you can.  And a baby that young doesn't need water as they get what they need in your milk and too much water given to a little baby can be very dangerous.  Your milk should provide your little one with all she needs in the beginning.  At around 6 months, babies generally begin to need things from other foods, such as iron.  When a baby is born they have a supply of iron built up that normally lasts them until around 6 months and then they often need iron from other food sources.  For example, my DD is 6 1/2 months old and about an hour or so after I nurse her in the morning she has rice cereal mixed with breast milk and banana (which we just recently added).  The rice cereal is iron fortified.  That is all the solids she has in a day.  All other feedings are bottles of breastmilk (at the sitter's) or nursing with mommy.  There are also lots of foods that babies can't have until they reach a certain age due to allergies and various other risks.  When it is time for baby to start solids, if you can provide fresh food that you make instead of jarred food that is better for baby as well.  In the beginning that is really easy.  For example, the banana my DD has is a ripe banana from the store that I just mash really well with a fork.  Here are a couple of websites that I frequent that have good information about this and other topics:
kellymom.com
askdrsears.com
wholesomebabyfood.com (about making baby food)

Breastmilk is best for baby if you can continue to provide this for your DD instead of formula.  While formula has improved over the years nothing is more suited for your precious one than the milk mommy makes  The AAP also recommends nursing at least until the age of one and for however long beyond then that mommy and baby desire because during the first year of life, even after starting solids, milk (either breastmilk or formula) should continue to be the main staple of baby's diet.

I hope that helps!!

I think consulting your doctor will be a good option

Great post Melissa! ITA with what she said. Years ago it was common for parents to begin to feed their infants baby food at 4-6 weeks, but this is just not the case anymore.

Well-meaning grandparents are usually the ones suggesting the baby needs more food. (Usually because they want to feed the baby!) You should feel confident that breastmilk alone is enough for your baby unless he/she appears not to be thriving, In that case, I would consult your pediatrician.

Thanks Blythe!  With all the questions I have asked, it sure was nice to feel like I could give a little back for a change!!  My DD will be 7 months on Monday so starting solids is something I have been doing A LOT of reading on lately.  Who knew becoming a mommy would make me a research fanantic!!  I want to know ALL that I can about everything so that I can make the best, most informed decision for my child.

That being said, you are so right about grandparents.  My parents and my in-laws are always talking about the things my DH and I ate and at such an early age.  Thankfully, they haven't been too pushy about the food topic with us.  We started rice cereal mixed with BM with DD at about 5 1/2 months and then about 2-3 weeks later introduced bananas and now she has rice cereal mixed with banana for breakfast.  I have tried avocados and sweet pototoes as well with her.  But, even at almost 7 months, the only thing besides BM that she has on a regular basis is the cereal/banana for breakfast.  I am in no hurry to get her eating tons of solids just yet.  I do the cereal because it is iron fortified to make sure her iron stays in check...though I have no reason to think it wouldn't, I just know their iron stores usually run out about 6 months and they begin needing iron from another source.  Like you said, as long as baby is thriving on BM, I wouldn't rush the solids.  Our grandparents like to "joke" about giving my DD stuff when I am not around and I threaten bodily harm on them (jokingly of course).  If ANYONE gives my child something without my permission, you better believe it will be a while before they are left alone with her again.

In the earlier months I got lots of questions from the grandparents and the sitter (when I had to return to work) about whether she was getting enough BM or not.  I had a couple of occasions where I really let it get to me and even considered supplementing her with formula.  Thank goodness I have a WONDERFUL, very supportive DH that assured me that he had no doubts our DD was getting enough to eat and was growing just fine.  To this day I have not given her even a drop of formula and I am so glad.  That is something I didn't want to do.  You really do have to learn to trust your own instincts.  Mommy really does know best.  No one knows your child like you do.  If something is wrong, you are going to know it.  If your baby isn't getting enough to eat, you will know it...and baby will let you know it, too.  When baby needs to eat, baby is going to let you know he/she needs to nurse...even if it is every 45 minutes.  I went through a period like this, which is one of the times I let other people's questions make me question myself.  It was just because DD was going through a growth spurt and all was fine.

 Boy, I am just going on and on.  Sorry!!!  Like Blythe said, if baby appears not to be thriving, talk to the doc, but if all appears well and you don't feel like baby is not getting enough to eat, rest assured your milk is giving baby all they need.