My 17 month old son is still almost exclusively breastfed! He's not into solid f!
Question:
My 17 month old son is still almost exclusively breastfed! He's not into solid foods really...?
When I give him solids (he won't let me feed him) he just plays. He'll literally go all day having only eaten a tiny bite of banana and a cracker... and breastmilk. He still nurses at night (we cosleep) and many times throughout the day. I've tried to cut back on the breastfeeds so that he'll get hungry and eat solid foods... but he doesn't. He'll just go without.
I'm worried about whether or not he's getting all of the nutrients that he needs. He's a BIG boy, always has been, and is thriving (although he has been very moody/cranky lately and takes an extra nap... growth spurt?? Don't know and it makes me worry a little.) He's very chubby, despite only drinking breastmilk (he weighs 38 lbs! and is tall as well) I've been giving him baby vitamin drops for the extra iron and other vitamins once every other day or so. But I wonder if that will interfere with the absorbtion of the vitamins/nutrients in my milk?
Answers:
Your body will manufacture all that your growing child needs. It is built to adapt to the nutritional needs of a child.
Studies have even shown that when a baby encounters a virus or bacteria his saliva will translate that to your body and your body will formulate anti viral or anti bacterial agents within your milk.
He is old enough however, to sleep through the night. I would cut one nap-you will have to tough it out for a few days, and try to find something that he can eat at dinner that takes longer to digest, rice cereal, oatmeal, try putting a few drops of mom's milk in it or a sweetener that you find acceptable. Remember that breast milk is sweet so he will go toward similar tastes.
As far as vitamins go your body supplements him first and you second so you are the one who really needs lots of vitamins because he gets the best and you get whats left.
By the way Kudos for a heroic effort to nurture your child in a society that is hostile to real motherhood!