Author Topic: so confused by what times to do solids (Read 2691 times)

shazzy · « **on:** March 08, 2006, 22:44:32 pm »

Hello,

I want to start weaning soon but am so confused by the times I am supposed to bring in solids.

Finlay feeds at 7am, 11am, 3pm, 6.30pm and 11pm

The books say introduce solids at lunch - but he does not have a lunch so do I create one around 1pm or am I supposed to give food at the milk times and need to adjust them??? So confused and have no idea how to move forward. How much milk should they still take in a day???

Help!!

*Natasha* · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2006, 22:52:09 pm »

I started my DD on lunch first then moved it to breakfast when i knew she was fine with it so DH could feed her. We then introduced a 2nd meal at 4.5months when she woke at night and wouldn't settle until we gave her a bottle (haven't had to do that since 6 weeks old) then introduced 3rd meal at 6months old when she was struggling between afternoon and night bottle. It is recommended to give solids at least 1hr after bottle. I am guessing your little one is around 4-6 months and they recommend around 26-32ozs of milk a day. So you could do this:

7am - Bottle/BF
8am - Solids
11am - Bottle/BF
12pm - Lunch
3pm - Bottle
4/4.30pm - Dinner
6.30pm - Bottle/BF
11pm - Dreamfeed.

Good luck with the introduction of solids it is a fun time

Colin Macs Mom · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2006, 23:03:51 pm »

I'm with Natasha - but that could also depend on how old your lo is.

My ds didn't want anything to do with solids at first except in the afternoon, so we started with a lunch meal and then added dinner, and then breakfast. A little different than most but each lo is different. So if things don't work out exactly that's ok too. We do solids about an hour to 1.5 hours after bottle, then he's got room for it but it also doesn't interfere with the next bottle.

Anoucks Mum · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2006, 12:53:20 pm »

I am asking myself the same questions as Shazzy, even though I want to wait another month and half before starting solids, and I am puzzled by all that !
Natasha, according to your schedule, your LO ends up eating every 2-3 hours, isn't there a risk he snacks at all solid & bottle times rather than have a proper meal (whether solid or liquid) ? Is the idea that over the next months he will gradually eat more solids at grown-up's meal times and less milk at bottle times ? And how do you fit the EASY routine in that schedule ?

I though you were supposed to carry on feeding at the same time (every 4 hours) but start meals with a little bit of solids before completing with BF or bottle, but I did not find anything in any of the BW books.

shazzy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2006, 08:59:48 am »

Hi Anoucks mum

I have heardso many different ways of doing it its dribing me crazy!! How does EASY fit into this? Can someone help? Do you just fit naps after the food times?

bayneddie · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2006, 11:40:22 am »

I pretty much follow the routine Natasha suggests (minus the dreamfeed) for my 6mo and it works well for us. I think EASY becomes something like EAEASY.
My dd takes about 24oz a day - she's never been that much of an eater though. She certainly seems to enjoy her solids much more than boring old milk!

*Natasha* · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2006, 22:54:51 pm »

Hi Maud,

When starting solids babies are on 4 hour easy and it is reccomended to feed solids 1 hr after giving a bottle. When solids are given 3 times a day and they eating quiet a bit then alot of people drop a bottle usually around 9 months when solids are given before bottle.The idea is to only give a little bit of solids just to get them use to it so it doesn't interfere with their milk. My DD dropped her 4th bottle at 5 months so is on 5.5hr bottle. So she eats:
7.30am Bottle
8.15am Breakfast
12pm Lunch
1pm Bottle
4pm - Might put a snack in here i think
5pm - Dinner
6.30pm Bottle

Sadiebird · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2006, 00:18:58 am »

How do you ever get out of the house on this schedule?!!

Jessica

*Natasha* · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:43:24 am »

I go out after her morning sleep feed her lunch while out and she often has a sleep in her pram if we are still out shopping. Otherwise i get home and put her to bed for her afternoon nap.

Sydney · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2006, 17:55:54 pm »

Hi All

I am interested in this post as I am going to be starting solids in a month when dd turns 6 mths old. I too had similar questions about fititng solids into EASY.

My dd, at most, will take about 28 ounces a day of formula. She is 5 months old and weighs 13 lbs. She is on the smaller side and has nevery been a huge eater.

So, lets say I introduce her first solid during lunch. Before solids she would eat 6 ounces of formula. How much formula would I then feed her for lunch if she has solids as well?

TIA!

*Natasha* · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2006, 03:47:42 am »

In the early stages of introducing solids keep formula intake the same as solids at the beginning is just for them to get use to. I am just finding now DD's milk intake is slowly decreasing.

Sydney · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2006, 13:37:18 pm »

So, I still feed her the same amount of formula when I introduce solids? How long did it take for dd's milk intake to decrease?

*Natasha* · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2006, 23:03:00 pm »

I am finding at the moment her milk intake is decreasing. From 5 months she was having 3x7-8ozs however she has just recently only wants 6-6.5ozs at her lunch time bottle.
Yes keep milk intake the same when introducing solids.

Sydney · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2006, 00:02:30 am »

Thanks for your help. I may be back soon asking more questions

Kiwi Mum · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2006, 22:30:11 pm »

Hi Everyone,

This is a really interesting debate, thanks for all the input it's made great reading and very helpful.

My DS is 6.5 months old, was 5.5weeks prem and low birthweight (4 pounds 9 oz). Now doing really well despite reflux issues, which are under control thanks to ranitidine (zantac). William started on solids approx. 6 weeks ago and it took about 4 weeks for him to really get the hang of eating properly. We are still working out the transitions between BM and solids - and every day is slightly different. What I wanted to say is that it is really difficult working all this out - the what, when and how, and all the in's and out's - especially when trying to stick to EASY. What we have found is that the day sleeps are becoming shorter and further in between, although the night sleeps are much better

William seems to want less milk during the daytime feeds, although he still wants his milk at 3.5 to 4 hourly intervals, and even though he is being offered it before his solids. His early morning and DF's (breastfeeds) are still really good though.

Last couple of days we have had 3 solids feeds, and 5 breast feeds, and it does feel like you are feeding all day. Getting out and about is now a little more complicated, but I find you just need to be prepared and have everything on hand - solids and milk.

Although we are trying to stick to EASY, with the sleep patterns changing, and the feeding patterns changing all at once, it really isn't that easy! At first I was getting really anxious about it all, but knowing EASY and trying to keep in that framework does help. I guess I've relaxed a little and am trying to understand that this is a transition phase, and although it's not exactly as clear as I would hope, we will get there. I'm hoping that in another week or so we will have some new routines a little more established, and we can get right back on EASY again, or at least our closely approximated version of it! Most importantly for us, we are following our little man's cues, as he gets used to the changes also. Luckily he is a good communicator (very little patience, very loud voice!) and although I'm not always sure what he wants, SLOW is a great help in figuring it out. I guess my message is just one of support for everyone - it's not a straightforward time, but be kind to yourselves - we are all being the best Mum's we can be. Keep smiling, Tania.font=Arial][/font]

Anoucks Mum · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2006, 05:51:38 am »

Thanks everyone for your replies ! It sounds that introducing solids is kind of a bumpy ride (but then somedays I think parenthood is always a bumpy ride...).
I guess I take things slowly and in a fun and relaxed way when the time for solids comes ! It sounds like at the beginning solids are more another bit of A rather thn a real bit of E !
And Tania, thanks for letting me know I should expect a few twists to the EASY routine, our routine is not really by the book but at least at the moment I know what to expect !

Lªuren · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2006, 12:33:55 pm »

I think the main thing to remember in all of this is you have to do what is best for you and your baby. I went through a stage of also not know what was 'right'

.

There is no right or wrong answer to the timing of solids and bottles. I had a look at other peoples routines, tried them and adapted to suit DS and I - than changed it again to what I am using now. Consistency and not being afraid are the keys to a good routine.

I don't strictly follow the 1hr after milk guideline, but I know that DS can handle his solids up to 30mins after milk. Every baby is different, you will find that you ask 10mums what they do and you will get lots of different answers and end up getting more and more confused trying to find the right way, when really there isn't one, there are many.

Lauren

Sydney · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2006, 00:00:41 am »

Thanks again to everyone for all the great advice.

I was readiing the book AGAIN last night regarding solids and I see that Tracy suggests feeding solids BEFORE the bottle?? From a lot of posts, I see that people are doing this the opposite....does anyone know why she recommends this? Seems like our lo's would want the solids and then not eat their bottle.

TIA!

Lªuren · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2006, 09:13:38 am »

Hi Sydney, Definitely start with milk, this his her main source of goodness at the moment, then follow with a solid meal. When she get a bit older it would be the other way around.

I have just looked at the page your a referring to, it is confusing as every othe book I've read and weaning classes have been bottle first especially when they are this age and just starting.
HTH

corrina01 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2006, 09:22:02 am »

I started feeding solids to my DD before her bottle, then I noticed she wasn't taking much bottle. I switched to giving her, her milk first and then 30-45mins later giving her solids. This is what works for us.

I think that when they are a bit older (9-10 months) then you can start switching to solids before milk.

Sydney · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2006, 12:49:28 pm »

Thank you! I will try bottle before solids then. Makes sense.

VickyB20 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2006, 13:28:09 pm »

Hi all! It's good to konw that I'm not the only one who was/is confused by all this!! To be honest, at times in the last few weeks, I've envied you bottle feeders... it must be reassuring to know how much milk your lo is getting! I've read everything from feed solids between milk feeds / feed milk first then solids / give milk to 'top up' after solids. In the end, I've somewhat accidentally ended up doing a mixture of all these have got into a routine that looks something like this:-

7:30 Breastfeed
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Sleep (1 1/2 to 2 hrs)
12:00 Lunch (I was offering the breast after lunch but for a week she didn't taken any so I've stopped that feed)
14:00 Sleep (1 to 1 1/2 hrs)
15:30 Breastfeed
17:00 Dinner
18:30 Breastfeed before bed
22:30 Dreamfeed

It seems to be working well - she's hungry enough at each meal and has three good breastfeeds a day (it seems to me that she usually doesn't take much at the bedtime feed) and is continuing to gain weight.

There are plenty of Breastfeeding Counsellers out there but what we need now is Weaning Counsellers!

Vicky

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Author Topic: so confused by what times to do solids (Read 2691 times)

Anoucks Mum

Anoucks Mum