Help! Where can I find info about FF amounts when BLW?

[MoonFaceMama]

I've started this thread in Weaning but it's pretty quiet so thought I'd try my luck here ....

Friends DS is 8.5m. FF and BLW though only just getting in to food...hit and miss re actuall eating iyswim. At 8m check HV has said that though he's meeting all his developmental milestones but they need to get him eating more solids. They say she is giving him too much milk.

Friend has had trouble getting milk in to him at times...IMO just not that motivated by food (especially as just started crawling) like some adults I know, though he's a healthy happy boy.

Friend is worried and doubting herself as now they are sending someone round to observe him eat etc.... I am and as friend is a single parent who's partner sadly died while she was pg so she's been through a tough time and lacks confidence but is doing a fantastic job and is being made to feel bad by all this.

Can any one help me with sourcing facts to boost her confidence and that she can wave at HV if need be? I've tried birth to five and NHS choices but it's all a bit crap vague.

Many thanks

MFM here's a link to the blw website and a mother on their forum has similar issues.

babyledweaning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15159

Not exactly facts I'm afraid but it may be worth a read. FWIW, I'm sure somebody posted recently that at the age of one, milk should make up 75% of a baby's calories. (Unfortunately I don't know the source).

Maybe your friend could ask the HV why she has concerns and the reasons behind her feeling that he needs more solids.

thanks crikey, once ds is asleep i'll check out the link on the computer, i'm on my phone at the mo. Recall that fact about milk too, but as 70% and i don't know the source either...that's one of the things i was wondering. The person coming to do the observation isn't a hv but a nursery nurse from the childrens centre who has apparently done something called "henry training"

Henry Training - Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young (just googled it!)

Do they have concerns about his weight and health? If not, I'd be tempted to politely tell them to leave things alone.

no concerns now though they did panic her previously even though he hadn't crossed any centile lines (iirc, or if he had just one and not by much). They said meeting all his milestones at review so really can't see why they think there is a problem.

I think she's worried about telling them to go away as she had a few problems early on and so thinks she's on their radar as not coping. The thing is she's more than coping, the only problems are the ones made up by hv's. Also the childrens centre have been great so maybe she doesn't want to cause offence.

Yes, I see your point, 'tis a tricky situation.

Hope everything goes well with the 'observation'.

Thanks.

Google 'world health organisation model textbook chapter for healthcare professionals'. It's the (long!) official advice for HCPs and says that between 6 and 12 months solids should be no more than 50% of a babies' nutritional intake. Up till 6 months solids should be 0%. Between 12 and 24 months solids should be two thirds of a babies' intake (but is referring to bf babies here).

Kellymom has info on this (again, for bf but I don't know why it wouldn't translate across to ff) but I've temporarily lost the link (sorry).

And the BLW book would be a good source - Gillian Rapley says it's fine not to have much solids at this age (or older), and it shows she's following a proper 'system' IYSWIM.

thanks angeldog! The WHO document sounds perfect! She is doing it all a la gill rapely but don't think that matters much to them.

(hope all's well with your lo. )

bumping in case anyone has any info specific to ff...

MFM, we're well - apart from the 9 month sleep regression.

You? :)

Good thanks! Bit hit and miss on the ec front lately...cutting first tooth and then cold, but hey, that's how it goes! Hope yo have a "progression" soon!

Had a look at that link BTW Crikey, interesting that she's being told same, ie, cu milk, when her lo is eating tons and my friend's lo is not eating much!

Found others on the forum not eating though...one at 18m...not sure wether to tell her that or not!

Oh, and developmental spurts (which cause sleep regressions) can also have an effect on feeding - both milk & solids. There are 2 big mental spurts around 8/9 months and crawling may well be having an effect. My DS went off solids for a bit too when he was busy working on crawling (although he'd been eating lots prior to that).

Aha, I had suspected that crawling might not be helping with the eating. Thanks.