FEEDING SCHEDULE HELP

[mom2liam]

I'm not sure if I should be posting this here or on the EASY board but here goes.....

I have just started fruit this past week but I now need some reassurance that I have him on a good schedule......

I was thinking of doing something like this.......

7am Wake
7.15 - Bottle
8am - cereal and fruit

11am - bottle

3pm - bottle

5pm - Cereal and fruit

7pm - bottle

Does this look OK....I am feeding 2 tbsp of cereal and 1/2 jar of fruit at each feeding and giving him an 8oz bottle at every feed (although he doesn't drink it all every feed).

Also one other question.....what age do you start giving them water/juice?

Thanks for your help
Wendy

[*Natasha*]

This looks great and very similar routine we had at this age.
Have you tried vegetables yet? You could give that mixed with the cereal for dinner instead of the fruit for some variety.
Water can be introduced as soon as you start solids with meals, we did that and DD has at least 100mls of that or sometimes i give her milk in her cup to get a little more into her in her sippy cup. It took her a while to get use to it but she now has her water in a straw cup and drinks it with meals and also in between meals.

[mom2liam]

Thanks Natasha

So did you give the water as early as 5 months?

I will try veg next week because the doctor said to do the same fruit for 3 days at a time, in case of allergies. What veg do you suggest trying first? I've tried Banana and Apple for fruits so far.....

Thanks again for your help
Wendy

[mom-to-4!]

I found with both of my ds's that it really didn't matter - the pureed veggies are actually sweeter than you would think.  I might go with green beans first, because I think they are the most savory of the veggies that I will give when starting out.  But really, it's up to you.  And remember, if it is rejected, try, try again, but don't force it either.  Just act like it isn't a big deal, and if you offer it repeatedly over several days, they should eventually come around.

[Jyates]

my dd's routine since 16 weeks

on waking   6oz Bottle and breakfast (baby rice with fruit)


mid morning 6oz bottle


afternoon 6oz bottle about 3 ish


Tea time  Pureed vegtables and desert pureed fruit

Bedtime about 7ish 6oz bottle

From 19 weeks i introduced a desert between 12 and 1 either fruit or fromage frais but during each meal I offered her a drink of water or juice.

hth

[Sarahboh]

Your feeding schedule looks great! What a great little eater you have. First off I would say hold off on the juice if you can, not only is there really no need for it, it can cause tooth decay once his teeth come in and it has a lot of excess sugars (natural at that) but it still raises the childs blood sugar. The nutritional value of juice is less than that of the real fruit, so I would just keep giving him the fruits from the jar. If you are going to give juice, give only a little during meal time. Water is great all the time around, it does not cause tooth decay as well helps prevents dehydration and constipation. Just be sure he is not drinking too much that it fills him too much for his bottles or food.

At that age I introduced the mild, very healthy veggies like sweet potato, carrots, squash and peas. Green beans are a good starter food too, but they don't have as much nutrional value as the "orange" veggies. Ella still loves her "orange" veggies.

It sounds like you are doing a great job!!!
Sarah

[*Natasha*]

I started offering her water straight away when starting solids at 4months so is use to having it with meals. She now will have it inbetween meals as well.
The first vegetable i started with was pumpkin, then i went to sweet potato, potato, carrots and zucchini.