shannonbaby,
Since your PD pointed out it may affect the brain development, you should be taking very serious consideration. Best thing to do is to bring your baby to see another PD to get second opinion ASAP. What Babe's PD said to her may not be applied to your baby.
Honestly, if I were you, I will follow PD suggestion to start on solid. Don't get me wrong, I am not against total BF, but you may need to change your plan as per your child growth pattern. Even if you start solid, you are total BF your baby (as long as you don't give FM), so effectively you are still total BF. And it's also depending on if your child like the solid or not. And when you first started on solid, you can only give your baby very little solid (max 1 feed for the first few week). The pro is you can supply your baby with additional nutrition that is critical to the development of your baby!
Don't have to insist on exclusive BF for 6 months. You have already done the good job for 5+ months, haven't you?
Statistic maybe doesn't tell you everything, but it certain means something if you interprete it correctly.
Make the best decision for your baby!
Since your PD pointed out it may affect the brain development, you should be taking very serious consideration. Best thing to do is to bring your baby to see another PD to get second opinion ASAP. What Babe's PD said to her may not be applied to your baby.
Honestly, if I were you, I will follow PD suggestion to start on solid. Don't get me wrong, I am not against total BF, but you may need to change your plan as per your child growth pattern. Even if you start solid, you are total BF your baby (as long as you don't give FM), so effectively you are still total BF. And it's also depending on if your child like the solid or not. And when you first started on solid, you can only give your baby very little solid (max 1 feed for the first few week). The pro is you can supply your baby with additional nutrition that is critical to the development of your baby!
Don't have to insist on exclusive BF for 6 months. You have already done the good job for 5+ months, haven't you?
Statistic maybe doesn't tell you everything, but it certain means something if you interprete it correctly.
Make the best decision for your baby!