When Should my Baby Start Solids?

Human milk is the only food that healthy, full-term babies need for about the first six months of life. The composition of human milk varies according to the time of day and the age of the baby, so that each mother provides the milk that meets her own baby's unique needs. Human milk provides immunity factors for as long as the baby nurses, and many of the health benefits of breastfeeding continue well into childhood and beyond.
Most solid foods are lower in calories than human milk, of lower nutritional value, and can be difficult for young babies to digest. Introduced early, they can cause unpleasant reactions and even trigger allergies. These problems can be avoided by waiting until your baby is ready for solids. Some parents have found introducing solids before baby is ready to be a waste of time, energy and money.
Breastfed babies do not need to have complementary food introduced until about the middle of the first year. Before that time, you will notice some signs that your baby is changing developmentally, in preparation for beginning solids in a few months. You will notice that:

• he becomes more sociable, playing and holding "conversations" with you during a nursing session
• he has a growth spurt and nurses more frequently for a while
• he imitates the chewing motions you make whilst eating -- he is practicing!

You will know that he is really ready to start solids when:

• he is about six months old
• he can sit up without any support
• he continues to be hungry despite more frequent nursing which is unrelated to illness or teething
• he has lost the tongue-thrusting reflex and does not push solids out of his mouth
• he can pick up things with his finger and thumb (pincer grasp)

Babies who are ready for solids can usually feed themselves. Mothers often report that they knew their babies were ready when they picked up food from a plate, chewed it, swallowed it, and wanted more.
Listen to your baby! Babies with a tendency to allergies may refuse solids until later in their first year. As long as they are growing well and are happy and healthy, there is no need for concern.

For this and more information on starting solids visit the LLLI website's resource on starting solids.

Next Series Meeting

Hope to see you Tuesday, December 14 at 10am for series meeting 4: Nutrition and Weaning.  We will cover some of the following topics as well as any questions or concerns you may have: starting solids, family nutrition, enjoying extended nursing, weaning naturally, and practicing loving guidance.  LLL meetings are open to all interested women and their babies and children who need them.  See you Tuesday!

New Beginnings

Please enjoy this issue of LLL's magazine, New Beginnings!
NB_Issue_1_10_FINALZmags.pdf

Breastfeeding Today

Enjoy this publication of Breastfeeding Today!

Series Meeting Tomorrow

Tomorrow, November 9, 2010 Series meeting #3: The Art of Breastfeeding & Avoiding Difficulties;The normal course of breastfeeding, recognizing challenges, caring for yourself, and getting support.
 
As always, our meetings are free to all interested women and any babies or children who need them.  Hope to see you there!

LLL of Sandy is on Facebook

Don't forget to follow LLL of Sandy on Facebook for current meeting topics, breastfeeding information and more!

The 10 Easy Reasons to Breastfeed

Baby's whole body and brain benefit immensely.
Release for mother hormonally causing calmer feelings.
Easier digestion for baby than formula.
Available fresh instantly for hungry baby.
Soothing for a crying baby.
Treasure of a lifetime bond with your child.
Free (cheaper than formula by a long shot)!
Effortless pregnancy weight loss.
Enhanced poop smells better than formula-fed babies (until solids start!).
Decreased risk of SIDS than formula-fed babies.

From NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 23 No. 5, September-October 2006, p. 204

Did you know?

Did you know that many of your breastfeeding questions can be answered with a click of your mouse? Check out these wonderful Breastfeeding Answers pages from llli.org! For instance did you know that human milk contains anti-infective properties?

Human Milk Has Anti-Infective Properties

Breastfeeding mothers often notice that their children are sick less often than children who aren't breastfed. Human milk provides different kinds of defense against disease, including secretory antibodies against specific pathogens. It also contains lactoferrin, which not only is the source of iron for breastfed infants, but also appears to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Other components in human milk protect infants on a molecular level because their actual shape hinders certain pathogen's access to the infant.

Because human milk has protective qualities, infants who are not breastfed have more emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and treatments with antibiotics. The protective effects extend beyond weaning. (See the table below.)

Human milk offers immunological protection against many chronic diseases. According to Outcomes of Breastfeeding versus Formula Feeding, compiled by Ginna Wall, MN, IBCLC, and Jon Ahrendsen, MD, FAAFP, human milk feeding is associated with less risk of the following diseases: celiac disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, sudden infant death syndrome, childhood cancer, autoimmune thyroid disease, appendicitis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, helicobacter pylori infection (associated with gastric ulcers), Crohn's disease, colitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, tonsillitis, allergies, atopic disease, and asthma. (This comprehensive report can be found at www.lalecheleague.org/docs/Outcomes_of_breastfeeding_June_2007.pdf *.)

The mechanism of these apparent long-term immunologic benefits remains unclear, although theories abound. Human milk contains bioactive components that enhance the growth and development of the human infant.

One gastrointestinal hormone, cholecystokinine (CCK) signals sedation and a feeling of satiation and well-being. During suckling, CCK release in both mother and infant produces a sleepy feeling. The infant's CCK level peaks twice after suckling. The first peak occurs immediately after the feeding. It peaks again 30 to 60 minutes later. The first CCK rise is probably induced by suckling; the second by the presence of milk in the GI tract. The drop of infant CCK levels 10 minutes after a feeding implies a "window" within which the infant can be awakened to feed from the second breast or to reattach to the first side for additional fat-rich milk. Waiting 30 minutes after the feeding before laying the baby down takes advantage of the second CCK peak to help the infant to stay asleep.

* This link updated in May, 2007

Maya Ties for sale

LLL of Sandy currently has two Maya Tie mei tei baby carries for sale. For prices and/or to purchase please email Renee at LLLofSandy@gmail.com

gentle discipline & loving guidance

LLL has 10 concepts (see the bottom of our blog for all 10.) One of them is From infancy on, children need loving guidance which reflects acceptance of their capabilities and sensitivity to their feelings. Today at the LLL of Murray meeting Timbra talked about ways to put gentle discipline in action in our lives from gently helping a breastfeeding baby not to bite, to keeping toddlers out of mischief. When we give our babies and children respect as fellow members of the family and take their personality and needs into consideration we are giving them more than just discipline that will keep them from harm, but valuable tools that will help them deal with others throughout their lifetime.

For more information on gentle discipline read this article from LLLI, entitled What is Gentle Discipline?

Breastfeeding the Adopted Baby

Here is what La Leche League has to say about adoptive breastfeeding.

How wonderful for you and your new baby that you want to breastfeed. You can read stories from mothers who have breastfed their adopted babies. Each situation is unique so it is important to educate yourself as much as possible about this exciting endeavor.

Most mothers are able to produce at least a little milk. Whether you have been pregnant before or not does not affect your ability to produce milk. Adoptive mothers may be able to induce lactation by using a breast pump every 2-3 hours, either before the baby comes or after. Some also use a device such as the Medela Supplemental Nursing System or the Lact-Aid Nurser Training System. These both enable you to feed your baby while he is at your breast. This way, your baby gets enough milk while stimulating your body to produce your own milk. The key to all this is that the more stimulation your breasts receive, either by pump or baby, the more likely milk will be produced.

Mothers who have breastfed adopted babies often say that having achievable goals for inducing lactation helped them feel successful in the long run. They also say that breastfeeding has numerous benefits in addition to nutrition.

Mothers who induce lactation vary widely in the amount of milk they are able to produce and in the amount of time required to produce milk. All agree that inducing lactation is a process that takes patience, commitment, diligence and education. Even mothers who have breastfed previous babies may not ever be able to fully breastfeed an adoptive baby. A sensible goal, then, might be to try to provide some, or maybe most, of your new baby's nutrition yourself, while fully enjoying the closeness and bonding that breastfeeding brings. Even if your baby does not breastfeed, you can still hold him for all his feedings (and lots of holding in between!) and foster the same kind of attachment that all babies have for the mommies and daddies who love them.

Attend a La Leche League Group meeting in your area for additional information and support. To find a Leader of a local Group, check out the section of our Web site entitled Finding a Local LLL Group.

Resources for Additional Information

These items are all available from the LLLI Online Store or through your local Leader.

Baby Wearing

Tuesday we talked about baby wearing. There are many different types of carriers, but our focus was on soft carriers. Ring slings, mei tais, wraps and pouches are easy and comfortable ways to keep baby close and wonderful for discreet nursing. There are many benefits of baby wearing including ease for mother, less crying and increased learning for baby.
LLL on baby wearing
Dr. Sears on baby wearing

LLL of Sandy currently has two Maya Ties for sale. If you're interested in purchasing one please email Renee at lllofsandy@gmail.com.

October 26 Enrichment

All LLL members are welcome to our enrichment meetings. Tomorrow's topic is babywearing. We'll be talking about the different types for baby carries, have displays and discuss the benefits of baby wearing. Hope to see you there!

Series Meeting Tomorrow

Join us tomorrow, October 12, for series meeting #2
Baby Arrives: The Family and the Breastfed Baby
Preparing for birth, getting nursing off to a good start, and establishing nursing in the early weeks

LLL meetings are free for all interested women. Babies and young children who need you are welcome.

Infant Sleep, breastfeeding & Bed Sharing

Join us for our Enrichment meeting tomorrow at 10am! Hope to see you there!

New Beginnings

Check out an excerpt from the new revised edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding about birth and it's important roll in the success of breastfeeding!
NB_ISSUE3_10_FINL_zmags.pdf

Nutrition and Weaning

This month, led by Rocio, we discussed what natural, baby led weaning looks like, the changes we go through as a parent as our babies turn into toddlers and preschoolers, myths surrounding extended nursing, and how to wean gradually and with love.

For more information on toddler nursing and weaning please visit the following links.

Advantages of Toddler Nursing
Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
Breastfeeding and Weaning a Toddler
Would Weaning Make my Life Easier?
How to Wean

World Breastfeeding Week

The first week of August marks World Breastfeeding Week.

There are many ways you can be involved in the promotion and protection of breastfeeding and it's "normalcy" this year.

1) Drop by read and comment on the blog Carnival posts http://yeoman5.blogspot.com/2010/07/baby-friendly-one-baby-at-time-718.html is where one mother blogs and at the bottom of each post, a list of other bloggers sharing their thoughts and ideas about each topic, EVERY DAY from July 18-31st

2) Take part in our fundraiser: The La Leche League of Murray will be holding a fundraiser for World Breastfeeding Week in the form of "Mini Breastfeeding Portrait Sessions." Timbra Wiist will be offering her photographic services and time as a donation to the Murray LLL group and to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. Please email landslidephotography@hotmail.com to RSVP for this fundraiser which will be held

~Murray Park Wednesday August 4th 4pm-7pm (Outdoor)
~Private Home in Sandy Thursday August 5th 1pm-4pm (Indoor/Outdoor) also silent auction to raise funds for LLL of Sandy
AND
~Liberty Park Friday August 6th 3pm-6pm (Outdoor)

Further location details will be given through private email at time of RSVP

Minimum donation for Mini Breastfeeding Portrait Session is $20 and includes 5-10 Full Resolution digital images (emailed or uploaded to a photo purchasing site)

Snacks provided and additional donations for WBW appreciated

AND the third way to take part in WBW is to either visit or volunteer at the Salt Lake City Breastfeeding Cafe, which is in it's FIFTH year, being held in the Share Space at the Downtown Library. Check out the blog for more information http://breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com/

Next Series Meeting

Join us on July 13, 2010 for topic #3: The Art of Breastfeeding & Avoiding Difficulties:
The normal course of breastfeeding, recognizing challenges, caring for yourself, getting support.

All LLL meetings are open to any interested women and any children that may need her. As always LLL is free of charge. Hope to see you there!

Supporting Troubled Kids

Don't forget to join us for our monthly enrichment meeting for members! Laurel, with LLL of SLC will be leading our topic "supporting troubled kids." If you don't have a membership but the topic interests you we encourage you to come check it out!