How many times a day should I be BFing 8mo?

[missbumpy]

I have been feeding her 4 times (once on waking, once mid-morning, once mid-afternoon, once before bed) but she's really uninterested in solids and it;s a struggle to feed her 'proper' food at mealtimes and a friend suggested that maybe she's getting too many calories from breast milk so can't be bothered with eating. Should I be dropping a feed? How much breast milk do they need at this age?

4 sounds about right for that age. My ds had 4 (bottle) feeds at that age - he dropped to 3 feeds around 9 months but that was prompted by him, not me. I think they are supposed to have a minimum of 20oz of breast/formula milk till 1 year but how you would measure that I dont know.

You should feed her whenever she wants to nurse! I'm still nursing a 20 month old on demand and it works out about three times a day -more if she's sick. Your friend doesn't actually understand breastfeeding - it's not an alternative for food - it's complementary to food. For the first year food is for fun anyway, there isn't enough going in to make a significant difference nutritionally. It's only in year two that food starts making a major contribution. Although obviously offer food first at mealtimes, otherwise of course she'll prefer breastmilk - frankly, it's nice and warm and comforting. Much like I'd rather eat chocolate than sprouts given the choice

You are doing great - keep at it!

I'd carry on feeding her on demand if I were you. Until 12 months of age solids are just a learning curve and milk is still the main food source. She'll get interested in solids in her own time, don't worry!

Monkies

Thanks. So you think I shouldn't worry too much if she's not so interested in solids and more interested in breast milk?

Definately, she won't starve herself and will get interested in solids soon.

Have you tried putting her in her highchair at your meal times and giving her some chunks of soft foods to play with? Perhaps she'd be more interested if food was more fun that mush on a spoon. Let her play with pieces of pear, banana or cooked carrot or brocolli and see how she gets on.

Take it easy!

Monkies

DS didn't start to get really into his food until around 9 or 10 months. Even now at 11 months he feeds really frequently when he's teething, in preference to solids. Just go with the flow.

Sounds about right but is she asking for more?