Is my routine / choice of solids OK?

[Mamastalawatt]

Hi,

I am really finding this weaning business a steep learning curve!  My DS is 25 weeks and I started weaning him 2 weeks ago.   He took to solids brilliantly and has loved everything he has tried, with no noticeable negative effects on his digestion.

Could someone please take a look at what I am doing and give me some feedback or suggestions on whether it looks OK?  I am weaning him onto formula for his daytime feeds as he will be starting nursery three full days a week soon and I won't be able to express at work enough to provide EBM for all of his feeds    I still plan to breastfeed him for his first feed and last feeds of the day.

0700  Wake and breastfeed

(* will have breakfast at 0800 when added to routine)
 
0900  Nap  (45mins - 1.5hrs)

1030  Bottle (7oz)

1100  Baby rice with pureed fruit

1200  Nap (45mins - 1.5hrs)

1400  Breastfeed (*will be bottle)

1430  Pureed veggies

1600  Nap (30 - 40 mins)

1700  Breastfeed

1800  Bath, massage

1845  Top up breastfeed

2200 Dreamfeed (DS seems to be gradually weaning himself off this - has gone from 35 mins to 5-10mins breastfeed)


Any ideas or hints would be really welcomed!  He's still on 3.5 hourly feeds which I am hoping to move to 4 hourly soon.

Thanks

Mama

[Mum-of-Two]

Is the routine working for you?  I think it looks great, very similar to our routine.  We are on a 4 hour EASY and I give only about 3-4 tablespoons of solids twice a day.
Breakfast -- bottle
4 hours later -- 2 tablespoons oatmeal, a taste of pureed fruit & Bottle
4 hours later -- 2 tables poons oatmeal, 2 tablespoons pureed veggie & bottle
4 hours later -- bottle
LO used to take a late night half bottle when she was still on the 3.5 routine, but that eventually dropped off.

My only advice since you did not post how much solids you feed is that giving too much solids will make LO decrease their breastmilk/formula intake.  We learned the hard way that it is important that LO get the recommended 24-30 oz of formula a day.  Because you feed your LO the breastmilk/formula before the solids, you shouldn't have to worry.  Your routine looks just fine.  LO will tweak it as needed and let you know when its time to drop that last dreamfeed.

Good luck!

[First Time Mom]

You don't list the quantity of solids that your lo is taking? As for the times, I would try to get to the 4 hour before introducing more food quantity as the time is needed between the feeds so that they're "hungry" for the formula or bf. Continue to offer the bf or formula before the solids.

You'll find the info on solids vary from country to country and from doctor to doctor!

I use a guide that was provided by my local bfing clinic.

This is what they advise-

6 MONTHS
5 bfs a day (feed on demand) or 32-40 oz of formula
2 solids meals- a total of 2-3 tbsp of cereal in the morning and 2-3 tbsp of cereal for dinner to start with. Once cereal is established start to introduce veg/fruit with 1 tbsp portions, trying a new one every 3 days for allergies (offer in the morning).

7-9 MONTHS
5 bfs a day or 24-32 oz of formula
3 solids meals- breakfast of 3-4 tbsp cereal and 2-3 tbsp of fruit, lunch of 1-2 tbsp of veg, dinner of 3-4 tbsp cereal and 1-2 tbsp veg or fruit. At this point small pieces of toast or dry cereal can be offered for baby to feed themself with.

9 MONTHS
5 bfs a day or 24-32 oz of formula
3 solids meals- B 3-6 tbsp cereal and 2-3 tbsp fruit, L 2-4 tbsp veg and 2-4 tbsp protein and 2-3 tbsp fruit, D 2-4 tbsp cereal and 2-3 tbsp fruit or yogurt. Again, the dry cereal, etc that baby can feed themself with as a snack. At 9 mths the baby can chew soft, mashed, grated or chopped "family" foods.

[Mamastalawatt]

Thankyou both so much for your replies.  I'm glad I'm on the right track!  In terms of how much solids I give DS,  I don't think it would be any more two smallish tablespoons for each meal.  I use the weaning cubes (ice-cube tray style) and he has one of those of pureed veg, mixed with a little milk, and maybe half of one when I give him pureed veg mixed with a teaspoon of babyrice / milk.

I think I'll work towards 4 hourly milk feeds this week as I know he is ready.  He's just started nursery so I hope they can keep up!

Many thanks again.