4-3 feeds, weaning etc?

[Sharon P]

HI,

My DS is 9.5 months. I will be going back to work at the start of May 2-3 days a week. He will go to child care.

I was thinking that he would be about due to drop from 4 feeds to 3 by then, and therefore thought I would keep 7am/7pm feed for as long as he wants or until 2 year of age. However, he is actually feeding really well for all 4 feeds currently and taking huge amounts of solids as well (I can't get over his appetite at present). At least I think they are big feeds, a good 5 mins of solid slurping, plus some on the 2nd side. 3 weeks ago I was getting 2-3 mins out of him per feed, but he has always been super efficient. Possibly a part of the change is that I dropped the DF in the last week or so, but he was only getting 3 oz for the longest of time.

Anyway, I am rambling. My question is as follows:

1. Should I be trying to drop to 3 feeds a day or stick with the 4 feeds? Health nurse told me to on basis that solids now more important than breast milk. But he eats heaps of solids too, so I don't know.

2. If I stick with 4 feeds, when do you think I will need to drop to 3 feeds. DS will be 10.5 months when he starts daycare, so if it is about then that you think it will change perhaps I should start preparing now.

Any advice, much appreciated.

Sharon. 

[RachelC]

Hi Sharon,

Breastmilk is still the most important source of those calories until 1 year.  I would continue with the 4 feeds as long as he wants.  My dd2 was still taking 4 feeds at 1 year and is still taking 3 feeds at 18 months.

This link could help routinewise
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=68458.0

I do think the reason that he is gulping his breastmilk is most likely due to dropping the dreamfeed, and perhaps a bit of a growth spurt?

I would follow his lead.  The new enviroment of child care may be a distraction enough to drop to 3 feeds then (will you be pumping to offer a bottle/sippy at child care?).

Sorry if this post seems jumbled... I don't think my brain has totally awaken yet 

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Agreed that milk is more important than solids for the first year - sorry to disagree with the health nurse! 

We kept 4 bf until over a year.  You could ask what the snack routine is like at the daycare.  With mine, I bf in the morning and at night, and they gave EBM for morning and afternoon snacks.

[Sharon P]

Thanks Rach and Erin.

I think the best thing to do is to let him lead me as far as no. of feeds, so for the moment I will stick to four feeds a day.

I will end up putting him on formula though for those middle two feeds, as i don't have the opportunity to express at work. I guess I was thinking I would then have to start getting him used to the formula in the weeks prior. Given that I am working 2 days a week, if I use formula for those feeds, will I have to use formula for those feeds the rest of the week? Is there anything I should do to rpepare myself?

Interestingly, the link you gave me Rach, has 9-11 mth olds on 3 feeds a day. A little confusing, but I guess I will still just wait to see when he is losing interest or taking less and go with it from there.

Thanks again,

Sharon.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Given that I am working 2 days a week, if I use formula for those feeds, will I have to use formula for those feeds the rest of the week? Is there anything I should do to rpepare myself?

Depends on your supply.  Likely, your breasts will stop producing enough milk for those feeds to totally bf him on the other days, but you could always try and supplement if you want.  Really up to you. As for preparing yourself - are you talking about engorgement?  If you drop one feed a week, should be okay.

[RachelC]

Are the 2 days you are working in a row (like Monday and Tuesday) or is there at least a day in between?  You may be fine offering the breast when you are home the other 5 days and not have to offer the formula... that's a wait and see sort of thing

Yes, I find that link interesting too.  As I said, dd2 was still on 4 feeds a day until 12 months and at 18 months, still has 3... it so depends on your baby