Questioning pediatrician's advice

[Beata]

So dd had her 6 month well exam today and is doing great (weighs 17.8 lbs), but the doctor said she should be eating way more solids than breast milk and by 9 months should have almost all her sustinance from solids. DD is not too interested in solids yet, she'll take some, but usually is bored after a tablespoon of cereal and a jar of fruit. I don't want my bm to diminish, but the MD said to feed her solids first then top her off with bm at 3 meals a day, and breast feed her  one or 2 more times, and not to feed her AT ALL all night.  DD wakes to eat at least twice a night.

So what do you all think about this. I am not sure where to head from here. She bf ever 4 hours 7 - 7 with maybe a little extra at night. I was trying to feed her an hour afer am feed and 3 pm feed. Hmmm.

[mickymuscles]

hi ...my ped suggested the same thing for me and Jackson.  Jackson was a lot more interested in solids tho then what it sounds like with your lo.  I give a bottle right after his solids and he still takes a considerable amount even with eating a large quantity too.  He has 3 solid meals a day and 4 bottles a day.  A couple of the bottle are a little small but 2 of them are big full bottles (8oz.).  He usually eats 4 Tbsp (dry) cereal with 2 Tbsp of fruit in am with a 6 oz bottle.  Lunch is 3 Tbsp of veggies, 1 Tbsp of meat, 2 Tbsp of fruit and a 4 oz bottle, Afternoon snack is a 8 oz bottle, dinner is 3 Tbsp of veggies, 1 Tbsp of meat and 2 Tbsp of fruit with a 8 oz bottle (this last bottle is usually given right after dinner and then finished after bath but before bed.)  HTH

[evanskimberley]

That sound like the advice we are given in the UK. Why don't you try one meal a day where you give her soilds before BM and see if she takes any more.
It may be worth considering she doesn't like what you are offering her - rmember its got to be better than mummy milk other wise she'll stick with that!!!!

For the quantity you are giving, that sound like the right amount for one small meal, but you we are advised to move them on to 3 meals quite soon after 6 months. I think i was giving that quantoty but more often.

She maywell just not have had a growh spurt yet!!

[~tess~]

that sounds like the advice our first dr gave us....when you start solids you will usually bf less and wean the night feeds now.  they don't need them...they just wake up b/c they are used to it.  now you have to wean the night wakings!  just add more calories(solids) to the day and do not feed at night.....

by 9 months we were at 3 feeds for my son and only 2 feeds for my daughter.  so do what you feel comfortable with.  don't wait too long to do solids or they can have issues with food altogether!  keep offering the cereal(my kids hated rice cereal so we did oatmeal cereal) and fruit/veggies.  they will take it eventually.  can take 10 or more tries per each kind of food before they "like" it.

good luck, have fun with the solids!

[Beata]

All right so I am feeling a little better now...so does all night mean 7-7? I've never had a dreamfeed, but Cate still wakes around 10 or 11...do I not feed then either?

[Noelle]

My dd was never interested in solids either until I gave her finger foods - wowzers can she eat!!!! 

[tylersmommy]

the doctor said she should be eating way more solids than breast milk and by 9 months should have almost all her sustinance from solids

I'm always so surprised to hear doctors recommending this. Most experts, including the AAP and World Health Organization, agree that formula or breastmilk should be a baby's MAIN source of nutrition until close to 1 yr of age. From now until then, your DD's breastmilk intake will gradually decrease, but there's really no need to push the issue. It will likely happen on its own as she adjusts to eating solids and starts to want more of it.

It often takes awhile for babies to really get interested in solids, and even once they decide they'll eat it, their appetites vary a LOT. It sounds as if your DD is eating the "right" amount for her age, and she'll probably start to eat more as time goes on. And I would try to wean those night feeds soon if you feel she's ready. Good luck!

[momofnewbaby]

Noelle, If u don't mind my asking, what do you give your lo as finger food? Mihika was never a big eater, and lately it has been going from bad to worse, and why I'm concerned is because she hasn't put on any weight in the past month.

Any advice would be welcome to increase her appetite. Currently she takes one 8oz bottle in the am, and two 6 oz bottles, with maybe 3-4 oz of solids in the whole day. She does sleep through the night (7:30-6:30), but why I'm worried is from the weight gain point of view.

Please help me.

Thanks.

Sumita

[LindseysMom]

Hello, I personally did not begin to offer solids before milk til Lindsey was 10 months old. 

Before then, she got bm upon awakening, an hour before lunch, an hour before supper, and then at bedtime.  At 10 months we cut from 4 to 3 breastfeeds and then she got bm upon awakening, after lunch, then again at bedtime.  I think you should do what you want to do and not worry too much about what your ped says about this one.  You know what your baby needs.

[Noelle]

Here you go....  

This was at around 8months:

Scrambled eggs (we do use the whites) I also add Salsa
Waffles
Wheat Bread
Pasta
Ham
Salmon
Cottage Cheese
Regular Cheese  (I also do grilled cheese sanwiches)
Beans (green and brown)
Peas
Carrots
Broccoli
Spinach
Kiwi
Canteloupe
Peaches
Banana
Blueberries
Cheerios


We've since added chicken (put in the crock pot, it practically melts in the mouth, let me know if you want the recipe...it's sooooo simple).
Venison sausage (we make it ourselves, it's 100% vension, very moist so easy for her to eat)
corn
Pizza
Potatoes
Celery
Pears
graham crackers
ritz crackers
raisins (very soft ones cut in half)
grapes (peeled and quartered)
White fish
Sweet potato
Tuna  (I do tuna sandwiches too)
Chili with kidney and pinto beans
Hamburger
Tofu (she's not too fond of this though)
chicken nuggets
fish sticks
pancakes
french toast
breakfast sausage

I have a good spinach /pasta recipe too if you're intersted - my kids just eat it up!!!

 

[Noelle]

I have always given the bottle/sippy first or with the meal.  I now give it to her while preparing the meal and she drinks a little then and thoughout the meal as well.     She probably averages about 15-20 ounces a day 

[Mum to Ella Rose]

Sorry to interupt... :lol: but Noelle I would love those recipes! TIA...

Sharon

[Beata]

Melissa - based on what I've read I thought everything you say is true...that's why I was worried/frustrated with Cate's ped. and I did not press the issue. I won't worry at all then and let lo take the lead. I do need to start weaning her from her night feeds though! At least down to one  :oops:

I am also searching for another doctor that is in line with our way of life.

The most annoying thing is when your baby is ovsiously thriving and they say...hmmm, you are doing this wrong. I need to repeat my mantra...I know what is best for my baby.