Confused about 2nd stage of weaning.

[mum2oliver]

My ds is nearly 6months.Im about to drop the lunch time bottle and introduce protein.
What is in formula milk that prevents the absorption of iron when consumed at the same time as protein?
I would like to know if it is ok to introduce a yoghurt after his main meal at lunch time or will that have the same effect as formula?
Also in recipes that you need to cook with milk,can I cook the same with formula as I could if I used cows milk?
I need ds to have enough formula a day for nutrition as he is only just reaching the recommended amount.
He has hidden reflux and gets very uncomfortable at times after havin a few ounces so would love to give most of it in his fresh food instead.Its such a battle and I do feel sorry for him to be so uncomfortable and he loves solids!!

Hello?
Can anyone help?

I'm afraid I don't understand. What is the second stage of weaning? And formula, being a synthesis of breast milk, has loads of protein in it already surely?

I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it all.

I'm confused too. Do you mean weaning onto formula or solids. tbh wouldn't stress about dropping bottles yet as long as he is starting to sample a variety of purees. It will tail off gradually as he eats more but you can add formula to purees and then thicken with baby rice if it makes you feel happier about the quantity he takes in. Can't help with the iron/protein concern but you can get iron fortified infant cereals although these mix either with milk or water if they contain powdered milk protein so don't see the odds.

IIRC, milk only affects absoprtion of iron from vegetable sources, eg spinach, and not from meat. However, because milk is a protein-rich drink, many people feel that giving milk with a protein meal, ie meat, is overloading the baby's digestion. 'Milk' being any milk: breast, fridge or formula.

mum2oliver, are you following gford weaning plan? I am and only started weaning at 6 months as ds was nearly 4 weeks prem. I am also at the point of wanting to introduce protein as he is 7 months next week. But the gford book recommends dropping lunchtime bottle once having protein at this meal as it reduces iron absorption by 50%. My ds is not remotly interested in breakfast yet, and health visitor has told me not to drop any milk feeds until he's on 3 decent meals a day, so I too don't know whether to start with the protein meal and drop the bottle, regardless of whether he is having breakfast or not!!!! (I have a thread on this). Let us know what you think.

Alibo,Yes I am doing GF Weaning,but not following age(if you get me)
My ds is on 3 meals a day.He was big at birth.
My HV has specified to drop the lunchtime feed.
I wouldnt drop any feeds til he is on 3 meals a day.
Do you understand what I am saying then?
My ds is well on his way to dropping his lunchtime feed.
What is in milk that stops the absorption of iron?
Do you know?
I would like my ds to have a dessert & would like it to be a yoghurt from time to time ( at lunch time)BUT......Is yoghurt going to have the same effect as the milk feed would?
I want to cook main meals like chicken rissoto,cauliflower cheese etc-These have milk in the recipe.Do I have to use cows milk?
I hope Im making sense to someone.I am a good mum & do you know roughly what Im doing.Im not going to poison my ds I promise!!
PRETTYCANDLES-How do you know this?
Is there a book I can buy that can provide me with this sort of information?
Thankyou everyone.

Ii'm sorry, but I don't remember how I know this! It is something I learned about long before I had children. Somehow the calcium any dairy produce (ie including yogurt or hard cheese) affects absorption of iron from most vegetable sources. The result being that if you're eating, say, cauliflower cheese with broccoli, then you don't get much of either the calcium or the iron in that meal.

In the long run I don't think it really matters, because you don't always eat the same thing. Giving a source of vitamin C (eg fresh fruit, proper juice) with a vegetarian meal will help absorption of iron.

Why hurry to get the babies eating protein? They'll eat it when they are ready, likewise breakfast, according to their own internal timetable.