Cluster feed, add a meal or increase amount at existing meals?

[Sammys Mum]

Hello!
I always seem to be looking for your advice (sorry and thank you!)...
My LO is getting fussy around 4-30/5-00pm and not taking his catnap (his other afternoon nap is very short so I think he needs it).  I have been nursing him and he takes in a good amount at that time.
I was wondering if I should do this cluster-feed or give him some solids or increase amt at other meals (I am nervous to do the wrong thing as I had been overfeeding him and he was going off his milk but I think we have gotten over that - thanks to BW help!)
What did others do?
Feeding is:
7-00am BF
7-45am 1 tblsp cereal + 2 tblsp bmilk + 1-2 teasps pureed prunes
11-00am BF
11-45am 1 cube (~2tblsp) veggies (will be fruit soon as almost gone thru veggies)
3-00pm BF
7-00pm BF
10-00pm Dream BF (taking less and less as so sound asleep so I am thinking of stopping this after the holidays)

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

[binxyboo]

So, you are nursing him at 4:30-5 in addition to his other nursings and he seems hungry then, is that right? If you are feeding him then it would seem hunger related if his other feeds are as normal. Otherwise it may be just that he is dropping ther catnap, which can happen at this age.

[Sammys Mum]

Yes, it is in addition to his other meals and he seems to be eating fine at those (milk and solids).  Do you think I should continue to nurse at this time or introduce "dinner".
I was reading the book and it says that at about 7 months, a 3rd small meal can be introduced (lunch in the book) - what would you recommend?  I don't want to mess with his nursing when we seem to be doing better.
Thanks again for all your help.

[LyndaManus]

hmmm, I would say nurse.  You want to keep in mind that until about 10 mths solids are really just practice.  90% of their nutition should come from bm or formula at this point.  This is especially true if you are concerned about over-feeding - it is impossible to overfeed a bf baby.

FYI on my history - my ds is a chunky monkey - over the 100% on weight right now    The dr actually had us cut down to two meals a day (we were on 3) and we are waiting to put him on three meals until 10 mths b/c of what I stated above.  It is just practice right now anyway, so concentrate on the bfing for nutition. 

I wonder if there is a way to get him to eat any more from you at the 3:00 feeding to help eliminate the cluster???

[Sammys Mum]

Thanks for the advice.  I think I will stay with the 2 meals and BF as needed at around 4-30/5-00pm.  I will "play it by ear" for the time being.
Thanks for the info re 10 month-mark - I think that is how I should be trying to think of his solids meals ("as practice"). 
This has only been going on for about a week so maybe he is having a growth spurt, I don't know...  I am happy to nurse him (when he is not biting) and just want to do the right thing.
Thanks again.

[LyndaManus]

yeah, I have gone through the same thing.  Daycare insists that I am "starving" my child b/c I don't send much solids to daycare.  I am sorry but 24lbs at 8.5 mths is not starving    Silly people! 

[binxyboo]

Yeah, you can definitely play it by ear and just see what happens. If you guys normally eat around that time, what you could do is let him sit with you at the table, in his highchair or whatever, and see if he may be interested in some finger foods from your plates eg veggies etc.