Is it time to start?

[vickul]

My 5 1/2 month old has been exclusively breastfed up to this point, and I was hoping to delay solids until SHE evidenced an interest/readiness. For the last few days, though, she has been nursing like she's starving -- as in, hours on end. And it's NOT for a lack of Mama milk. She can nurse on one side for an hour, actively sucking and swallowing, and there will still be milk.

Last night, she nursed for about 15 minutes while dinner was cooking, got a "break" while I was serving our plates and eating, nursed another half hour or so and fell asleep nursing, alternated between sleeping and nursing for the next 45 minutes, got handed off to Daddy for maybe half an hour, then lay down with us and nursed for the next four hours straight. I detached her shortly after midnight to go get a drink, she played in the bed for about 15 minutes, then she was finally ready to nurse down -- another 20 minutes. Two and a half later, she was ready to nurse again. An hour after that, AGAIN ... on and off for nearly two hours.

I don't want to push solids on her if she's not ready for them, but am starting to feel like the human cow.

[2208]

She may be going through a growth spurt. I wouldn't give her any solids just yet.

[myboygus]

My son was the same exact way when he was 4 1/2 months old. Ate constantly. But he's over that now. It was just a growth spurt. Just wait it out, mama.

Ps. My babe is 5 1/2 months old too.

[joyful mother]

Growth spurt!

[snowglow]

Personally I would start solids, that seems excessive even for a growth spurt, especially if it last more than a few days

[ChicanaCoqueta]

sounds like a growth spurt to me too

[gideonsmommy]

I also would start some solids...just rice cereal to get something else in her to help stave her hunger. I'm all for nursing, but it's exhausting for you if she's nursing that much and it's okay to need a little rest. A little solids isn't going to hurt her or keep her from wanting to nurse from you.

[HadassahSukkot]

Growth spurt!!

Jonathan did that exactly at that age, and again at 6 months, 6.5 months and again when he was just at 7 months.

He'd go every hour and want to eat. I am not joking. I couldn't get dressed or ANYTHING... hardly had a minute's rest, even at night! Then all the sudden he tapered off again to 2-5 hour feeding breaks, and started teething again.

[joyful mother]

Yeah from my experience with 5 you will get a break soon once the growth spurt is over, solids too early can be hard on their tummy. My 10 yr old who started solids early is the one who has the weakest tummy of my 5. I usually wait till their poo tells you something has changed in their digestive juices. Hungry babies are just part of the job of being a mom, one you will be missing soon enough. Also dealing with a babe with constipation if they are not ready is even less fun!LOL

[SillyEllie]

I don't know, it seems like the milk by itself fulfilling. DD is going to be 5 months tomorrow and a few days ago we started her on cereal. If that is what will fill your baby up there is NOTHING wrong with that! All babies grow at different paced and will be ready for solids at different times. I know some will say 5 months is too young BUT dd is big and now she sleeps throughout the night and she is happy! And that's all that matters!