I started my son on rice cereal when he was a little over 4 months old. He was constantly staring at us eating and would try to grab our food. I thought I would try cereal and see what happened. Well, he loved his food and two months later he loves it even more. I've been making my own baby food, so far he's had butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, avacados, green beans, apples, peaches, and bananas. I have to nurse him first otherwise he won't nurse at all, and I try to separate feedings with solid foods with just feedings with nursing to make sure he's getting enough milk. However, my son will only nurse when he wants for as long as he wants, otherwise he'll just scream at me. So I'm worried that he'll get filled up with solids and not save room for milk, especially if I start giving him more solids. Here's our schedule: at 6:30am he nurses- at 10:30am he nurses and I give him a little over 1/4 cup cereal with about 2-3 oz of pumped milk (He's worked up to that amount, but I don't know if I should give him more or give him a fruit and veggie with it also?)- at 3:30pm he nurses (I know this is 5 hours, but he likes to sleep and play and will not eat any earlier than this.)- at 5:30pm he'll nurse and I give him about 2-3 oz of a fruit or veggie- at 8:30pm he'll nurse barely, he usually falls asleep at the breast and then I put him to bed and we start the whole process over in the morning. I guess I'm just not sure if I should be giving him larger quantities? He always has mouth open like he'd take more, but at the same time he seems like he would explode before he would pass up food. I also don't know if I should give him a "lunch" meal as well? Is it ok to have solids back to back to back- i.e. 10:30am-3:30pm-5:30pm? Any suggestions would be great! He's thriving, he's about 14 and a half lbs. (he was a premie so he's on the smaller side, but proportionately small), but I feel like I should maybe be giving him more? Thanks!
At this age, solids are just for practice. They aren't nutritionally neccessary. So always nurse first, feed solids immediately after, and only as much as baby wants. No solids unless he's just nursed! Otherwise, your milk, which is what he needs, will take a backseat and he wont get the right nutrition.
Mom Dad Chazz (7y) Rocco (4y) Joey (11m)
Breastfeeding, baby wearing, natural birthing, anti-abortion, SAHM who still loves her tattoos, piercings, makeup and hairdye.
Try offerng 2-4 Tbsp of baby food puree or rice cereal 1-3 times a day. You want to offer it before breast milk or formula to make sure baby is hungry when you're offering it!
he nurses at 6:30, so offer at 8:30 a solid then nurse him at 10:30 then offer a solid at noon then let him sleep till 5:30 then nurse him aroud 6:30 offer him another solid then nurse him to sleep at 8:30...solids should be complimentary to your nursing..Your breastmilk is golden!
My son only does bottle when he wants. He has 3 solid food meals a day, but usually only makes a big deal out of breakfast and dinner. I literally started making my own food today, and it was only bananas and apples. But I think it is good for my son to make his own feeding schedule. I know they say milk should be the main food, but I think he should have a say so. Maybe your son is having trouble nursing because he is teething. My son is having trouble with the bottle because of that.
- O2Momma
on Sep. 11, 2009 at 9:33 AM