Confused over starting solids

[Jenna's Mum]

Hi my dd is 6 months and 2 weeks old and I started solids about a week ago.  I've been giving her whole grain organic rice cereal once a day, at her 11am feed, which so far is going well.  I've been reading Tracey's book to figure out when and what I'm supposed to feed, and also another book that she recommended, Super Baby Food.  At first I was totally confused and overwhelmed about what foods but now I think I'm okay with that, but it's the feeding schedule I'm confused about.  I've read the post about this in the message board area, but I still have questions.  If anyone has the time to help me out, I'd really appreciate it...

1.  Am I supposed to wait 30-60 mins after her bottle before giving solids?  If so, once she gets to 3 solid meals a day, it feels like between the bottle and solids I'll just be feeding her constantly?  Currently my dd is on 4 hr EASY at 7, 11, 3, 7, and a DF at 11pm.  I guess my goal is to keep that schedule but introduce solids at 8am (b'fast), noon (lunch), and 5-6pm (dinner)?  Is this right?  I know that we have to drop the DF once solids are established so that'll go away soon (hopefully).
2.  What if she finishes her bottle each time and then doesn't want any solids at all?  Should I cut down the amount in the bottle?
3.  Also at this same time I'm introducing a sippy cup as mentioned in Tracey's book.  So is my goal also to be giving some formula in the sippy cup instead of the bottle, or just use the sippy cup in between meals with water?  Or both?

Please help as I want to start my dd off right with solids but am unsure, as you can tell 

Thanks!

[tylersmommy]

It's a whole new world, isn't it? I'm not sure what your DD's nap schedule looks like, but I do remember that in those early months, it seemed like Tyler was eating all the time! Let's see if I can help shed some light...
- It's pretty common to offer solids 30-60 min after the bottle. That's what we did. You still want formula to be her main source of nutrition for several more months, so you want to be sure she's filling up on that and not solids. There are other ways to do solids that work for some babies...some can eat solids right after a bottle, and some can even have them before without affecting their formula intake. With some experimentation, you'll find what works for you and your DD.
- Her formula intake should be around 26-32 oz per day. If she doesn't seem hungry for solids after finishing a bottle, you can cut the amount in bottles IF she's taking more formula than what's generally recommended. Solids are only for practice, so even if she only takes one bite, that's okay!
- There are lots of different ways to introduce the sippy cup. What worked for us was to put water in it and let Tyler play with it at mealtimes. After a couple months of throwing it, banging it, and swinging it around, it made its way into his mouth like everything else. I always figured that even if it seemed like he was just playing with it, that was his way of getting familiar with it. Some folks have success by putting formula in it and offering it like a bottle, but Tyler wanted no part of that!

As you'll find, there are soooo many ways to do things at this stage of the game, and it comes down to what works best for you and your DD!

[linfran]

I started my lo on solids at 15 weeks (weighed nearly 18lbs, say no more!) on medical advice.  At first he got baby rice with his lunch bottle, then we've moved on to fuirt, veg and this week, rice cereal at breakfast time.  He gets his solids with his bottles at breakfast, lunch and tea, with just a bottle a bedtime.

I give him about two thirds of his bottle first, because he loves his food so much he wouldn't take the milk if I gave him his grub first!  This way he gets most of his milk, which is more important for him at his age and has the rest to quench his thirst after his food. 

I guess its trial and erro, you'll soon see what suits your lo.

[Jenna's Mum]

Thank you this is very helpful.  Tylersmommy you asked about my dd's nap schedule... currently she takes a morning nap around 8:30am from anywhere from 45 mins to 1hr 30mins.  Then her afternoon nap usually at 12:30pm and usually can get her to nap for 2 hours here.  Then sometimes she still takes her catnap in the afternoon or if she doesn't then we get her to bed an hour earlier at 6:30pm.  Okay so it seems like she's better if I give her some solids right after her bottle, without a break, so I think I'll continue with that.  So I guess I'll just call 11am lunch and 3pm dinner?  And at the point where she drops the bottles I can move those times more to noon and 5-6pm?  It's a little confusing but I see what you're saying about it just being practice, so at this point I suppose it's a bit less important when she gets the solids, but just that she gets some.  I'll keep going and see where the road takes us, thanks again for your help 

[annary]

Hi! My name is Anna and I was really interested in your posting. I am in exactly the same boat (the same 4 hour easy), and finding it hard to decide what to do. I live in Germany and things are done very differently. For instance they have never heard of the dream feed before. Anyway, since your posting have you had any success to share?? I am trying to drop the dream feed and I wanted to ask you hpw much milk your lo is taking each feed durting the day. mine is taking between 6 and 7 ounces. He is a big boy (the comment abut his isze are really tedious!)
thanks in advance, hope things are going well with you and your lo's feeding!
Ciao,
Anna

[tylersmommy]

At this point, it's pretty much just fitting in solids between bottles and naps the best you can. When she drops bottles, you'll probably be able to shift her solids schedule if you want. Glad you've found something that works!

[Jenna's Mum]

Hi Annary, I have just begun this whole process myself so don't have any words of wisdom yet    I think that the only way I can do it right now is to give her some of her bottle, then try some solids, and then offer the bottle again because waiting until after her bottle by even half hour or an hour sometimes means she's too sleepy.  My dd doesn't eat a whole lot, it's a rare day she will make 32oz and she's 6 and a half months old!  I don't worry though, she is gaining weight just fine and the pediatrician said she's doing great.  Tylersmommy thanks again it helps to know that it's just a matter of doing things the way we can, it's very intimidating to me to start this whole process and when you said it's just for practice that made me step back and realize not to get too crazy with the whole thing   

[annary]

Hooray! Doesnt it make a difference knowing that the unsurity is soooooooo commmon. I have to keep reminding myself that centuries of women coped before this website was even a twinkle in anyones eye!
One more question. M baby is not quite able to sit in a high chair just yet, so I have been giving him the solids either sitting supportd on my lap or in his bouncer chair with the back quite high so he is sitting up a bit more. At this point I cant imagine him getting a full meal until he can sit properly...but that isnt until 8-9 months right? Surely he should be getting more solids into him before that age...or am I mistaken?

[Jenna's Mum]

Hi Anna, how old is your lo?  My dd is 6.5 months and sitting very well so yours should be able to sit for his solids before 8-9 months I should think, especially if you give him plenty of tummy time to strengthen those neck muscles    Also as an interim thought, have you seen the Bumbo chair?  I got one for my dd when she was about 4 months old because she wanted to sit up but couldn't do it by herself.  It provides support for them in a sitting position.  As it happens dd never really liked it which I suppose is what motivated her to strengthen her own muscles enough to sit by herself, but they are very popular and perhaps it would work for your ds?  Just a thought.  Here's a link... http://www.bumboseat.com/adwords/bumbowords1.html

[annary]

Thanks for that! my baby is 6 months old. He sits fine but needs supporting, or he will sway to one side. He does have plenty of tuimmy time but I started it a bit later as he absolutly hated it for ages. He loves it now of course and is strong as an ox....but sitting unaided is not his forte at the moment. Ill defintily look at the bomper chair.
Just another question (sorry..) but I went with my lo to the doctor for his 6 month check up. All was fine and dandy very healthy and happy baby-just heavy! He weighs in at 9 and a half  kgs  already. My doctor says that he should now be drinking less milk and more solids, in fact ideally 4 meals a day!i thought that the eating of solids from a spoon at 6 months old was an experimental thing and not nutritional....how do I get enough solids in him to satisfy hs hunger when there arnt very many calories in carrot purree?...sorry to babble on. ta for any input.