Can LOs like solids more than milk?

[kermit_o]

Bit of background - I have introduced solids to my 4.5 month old DD for about 4 weeks due to her not putting on weight (she even lost some.)  She BFed every 3 hours and seemed to get plenty, never crying through an empty tummy, but I think my milk must not have enough calories or something - my OH is ill and I have a 2 year old too so the rushing around, in and out of hospital etc. is stressful.  After long chats with HV and Doc I eventually agreed to try solids.  I am making the rice with formula and as she also has reflux and needs gaviscon with every BF I am making it with formula rather than water as I was.

Is it possible she could like solid food better than milk?  She loves all the solid food I have given her so far and has started to pull on and off the boob when BF as if its too thin.  Today she had:

7am BF (15 mins per side, she sleeps 12 hours so is always hungry in the morning)
8.15 Breakfast - 3 spoons rice made with formula, 2 ice cubes of apple, 1 small ice cube of prune
10.30 BF (10 mins per side max)
12.30 2 spoons rice made with formula, 2 ice cubes of parsnip
4pm BF (10 mins per side max)
5.45 (3 spoons rice made with formula, 2 ice cubes carrot, 2 ice cubes butternut squash, 2 ice cubes pear)
7.15 BF (10 mins per side)

Writing it down makes it seem like tons but she opens her mouth for food til she's had enough when it stays resolutely closed.  All the veg/fruit I have introduced slowly.

I wondered if she just preferred solids to milk (I can't stand milk but have been drinking full fat to help with supply etc.)  Also wondered if the solids sit better in her tummy due to her reflux.

She is now putting on weight so I know I am doing the right thing but can't stop worrying it it too much for such a little one. It took a lot of persuading to get me feeding her solids so young but like I say weight gain has picked up so... Is anyone worried reading this, or have others found their LO is similar?

Kath
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[squeakersmum]

Hmm - No advice as such, but I felt my DS never really got on with milk. 

He would bob on and off and although he seemed fine and was following the 50th centile line for weight, his height was always over the 90th - as soon as he was on solids his weight went up to the 75th and has stayed there ever since (he's still over 90th for height).  So I guess there was something there.

Oh, just to add we started solids at 17 weeks.

[*Ali*]

That does seem like a lot of food to me. My DS is 7mo and he eats about half that amount I would guess. There especially seems to be a lot of fruit and veg. Did your dr discuss what foods you should give her? I am just thinking that the rice and formula are very calorific and so I can understand how they would help her put on weight. But all the fruit and veg which doesn't contain as much calories as BM or formula seem like they would just fill her up without much energy to show for it. Also she seems to eat a lot of different things which if you have only just started feeding her solids suggests you are introducing lots of new foods at once. If she does have any allergic reactions it will be difficult to know what they are in response to. One new food every 3 days is the guidelines I believe.
I would check with your dr if he thinks she needs to be introduced to fruit and veg so young or whether it might be better for her weight gain and safer in terms of overloading her immature digestive system to stick to calorific/milky foods like cereal.  Just an idea.
And yes I do think LOs can like solids too much and more than milk. But they don't necessarily know what is best for them so it's up to us as parents to limit the solids to ensure they get sufficient nutrients from their milk as they need for the first year.
Do you think she is too full when it comes to BF and that is why she is bobbing on and off? If so I would think about cutting back on the solids. My DS cut his BFs when we started solids 6 weeks ago so I cut his solids to give him a chance to get used to eating them on top of his usual milk feeds. When he was back to taking 4 good BFs a day I gradually increased the solids again and the BF didn't suffer.
Also when in your routine do you feed solids and BF? If you do BFs upon wake up then do solids an hour later hopefully your DD will have a nice empty tummy for the BF and then just be a little hungry when it comes to the solids. What do you think?
Also I find DS started getting really distracted around your DD's age so maybe this is the case for her too? If so limiting distractions (feed in a darkened room straight after naps for example) may help. And DS also bobs on and off when OT at BT or if he's woken early from a nap. Could this be a factor for your DD do you think?
If you think your supply may be low check out the FAQ on the BF board for ideas on how to increase it. I find oats (I take then chilled in soya milk overnight), fenugreek capsules and pumping helpful.
Good luck.

[kermit_o]

Thanks Cadie's Mum, I will check about veg etc.  I just did what I did with DS and introduce new ones every 2 or three days but perhaps I should be doing it slower for her.  I know she should be getting all the nutrients from milk so am doing this as much as poss and agree I need to make the decisions.  Managed to BF and wean my DS without any issues but know every baby is different which is why I posted to get some ideas.

I have tried to make sure she gets a really good BF when her tummy is empty and just add solids when not so full - not always suceeding but hopefully when OH out of hospital this will be easier.

I wish I could feed her without distractions but DS has other ideas about being quiet!  I think my supply is OK and have looked at other info so know what to try if necessary.

squeakersmum - I think my DS was similar although he was happy with just BM for longer although far bigger than DD! Thanks

Kath
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