Solids for 17 week old ?

[bella7687]

My daughter Gabriella is 17 weeks old and weights 7.5 kg. She started nursery 3 weeks ago, i drop off between 8.00 and 9.00, her last breastfeed is between 7.00 and 8.00am. I told the nursery to feed her to feed every three hours, typically she eats around 10,1 and then 4. I provide th3 nursery with around 14-15oz of expressed breast milk and she is 4-5 ounces per feed. Her carer had suggested it's not enough and i should consider giving her baby cereal, as my daughter is quit3 chubby, and starts crying after about 2.5 hours. I am seeing the paedratician next week, but just wanted to somewhat people think. I am providing enough milk ? I don't think I can express more than 15 ounces of milk a day, I'm struggling as it is. I am a bit hesitant about baby cereal, is it really necessary ? My son was exclusively breastfeed for six months and he was fine.

I'd supplement with formula if you think expressed milk is not enough; it's more nutritious than baby cereal.

Baby cereal has nothing nutritious in it.
If you can't express more but they believe her to still be hungry, could you send in some ready made formula milk? Even if she just has an extra ounce or two?
Really the nursery should be sticking to the recommended guidelines of milk only until 6 months.
I would be doubly sure they are going to stick to whatever you decide.

According to literature she should be having 1-1.5 ounces of milk for each hour I leave her so that's about 13.5, i provide about 15 daily. I can supplement the fresh milk with my frozen stash, however I am concerned they could ordered her, one time she was given 7 oz in one go.

7oz isn't an extreme amount - if you have more frozen send it in it supplement with formula. No need for any rice.

Really skyzumarubble ? I have read that breastfed babies shouldn't really have more than 4-5ounces in one feed. Does anyone express milk for nursery how much are they sending in ?

If the baby is crying with hunger then she definitely needs more milk. My 13wk old formula fed baby has 7oz at each feed (5 per day) and formula is more filling. I think 4-5oz is not a lot for a big baby of that age. Not sure where you got the message to not give more than that to a breastfed baby? As babies grow they need more food.

As others have said perhaps topping up with some ready made formula would help.
When you express do you.use compression also to get more milk out? I had supply issues and compression whilst expressing was the only way I could get any decent amount out. There is a video here;
med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/maximizing-milk-production.html

It talks about premature babies but works for anyone.

Also introducing solids too early can actually lead to issues such as food allergies, so stick with milk until 6 months and supplement with formula if you can't express enough.

When she is at home she is fine and not crying with hunger, although she is exclusively breastfed, So i dont know don't how much she gets each time. Breast milk is different to formula, So formula fed babies drink a lot more than breast milk, that is what i have read, there are various sites which state this.

Give her your frozen stash

You can't overfeed a breastfed baby. If she's hungry she needs more milk, not solids yet.

I am shocked that nursery are suggested weaning before the recommended 26 weeks.

I would be asking why she thinks she needs more, is she showing signs of hunger?

At 17 weeks she only needs milk.

Formula and breast milk are different things and formula tends to be offered in greater volumes than breast milk. I wouldn't recommend offering 7oz bottles as that could lead to stretching the stomach and she may become dissatisfied at the breast.

3 hours can be a long time to go without milk for some babies though. I struggle to go 3 hours without a cup of tea or a glass of water. You could suggest that the care giver gives slightly smaller bottles more frequently (offering them as paced feeding to mimic breast flow).

I would be concerned that a qualified childcare professional wasn't up to speed on weaning guidelines.

@dannydyer do you think 4-5oz per bottle is okay or should I increase it ? I suggested they give her 4oz every two hours this morning to see if that's better for her

4-5oz per bottle is what most breastfed babies would be expected to take per feed. I wouldn't offer more per bottle, but would offer every 2-2.5 hours.

Does the caregiver use paced bottle feeding? Many don't because letting the baby drink it down in one is quicker. Pausing every oz or so to wind before allowing the baby to latch back onto the bottle can be helpful.