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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

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Original poster

How long before weaning takes effect on hungry baby?

46 replies

CharBell · 06/12/2005 13:19

On the advice of my HV, I started weaning George at the weekend. He is nearly 5 months and weighs over 20lb. For the last two weeks, despite frequently pumping, I am failing to keep up with milk demand via breastfeeding. Am probably going to give up earlier than planned. Last feed, he had: 2 boobs, 11 oz SMA, big splodge of baby rice. This is day four of weaning. When will he start to get get the benefit?? I don't want to start him on veg yet as there are not many calories in it so may make him less hungry.

OP posts:

littledonkeyrach · 06/12/2005 13:21

I thought there were more calories in breast ,ilk than rice.
But I may be wring.

NotQuiteCockney · 06/12/2005 13:22

How can you tell you're not keeping up with his milk demand via breastfeeding?

Baby rice also has fewer calories (per volume) than breast milk or formula, so I'm not sure what benefit you're looking for.

Original poster

CharBell · 06/12/2005 13:25

Because he screams after 10 mins of breastfeeding. Thought it was a growth spurt. I used to pump after every feed (nothing came out) to stimulate more milk. Ended up having to give him formula. Went out two nights a week or so ago and DP gave him a bottle. Both times he took 12 oz.

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Original poster

CharBell · 06/12/2005 13:26

Surely most food has less calories than milk but at some point, they need it. The WHO guidelines are not hard and fast rules. The normal distribution of nature means that not all babies come under the same rules. My baby is nearly 5 months and wears 9-12 month old clothes. I know he is ready for solids.

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Original poster

CharBell · 06/12/2005 13:27

The benefit I'm looking for is that he seems less hungry. Less calories but longer to digest.

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NotQuiteCockney · 06/12/2005 13:27

Hmmm, do you still feed him at night? How often do you feed in the day? It's easier to stimulate supply using a baby, than a breastpump - he's better at sucking. (And not getting anything with a breastpump doesn't mean you're empty. Boobs are never empty.)

If he's had 10 minutes on one side and is screaming, offer the other?

(Given you seem worried about stopping bf earlier than you want to, there are things you can do to make bf work better for you and your baby.)

NotQuiteCockney · 06/12/2005 13:28

But things that take longer to digest aren't maybe so good for his gut.

And if he's hungry, shouldn't he be having things that are higher calorie?

LIZS · 06/12/2005 13:29

agree with NQC If you are suddenly offering formula/solids it will affect your supply of breastmilk and you may end up losing ground on his "demands". What was he doing before you introduced mixed feeding/solids ?

Think there may be some confusion with your hv recommendeding early weaning. It is possible it will make your ds less settled in the short term, particularly if he is having trouble digesting the solids, rather than offering a solution. tbh I'd try to slow down a bit - perhaps go to mixed feeding or breast and solids as there seems to be a lot in the mix all at once.

Original poster

CharBell · 06/12/2005 13:29

Do you know what? Forget it. I wasn't looking for a lecture from the bl**dy breastfeeding police. End of conversation. Thanks anyway.

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NotQuiteCockney · 06/12/2005 13:33

CB, you asked a question. We answered with what we know. I'm sorry the answers weren't what you expected.

misdee · 06/12/2005 13:38

its not the breatfeeding police. c'mon. have you tried getting baby back on the boob after the feed (even going back to the original one) if he still seems hungry? boobs are never empty you know.

LIZS · 06/12/2005 13:43

CB - you sounded concerned that you may have to give up the breastfeeding earlier than you had planned. We offered suggestions as to how you may be able to keep it going longer as feeding him rice alone probably isn't going to work in the immediate future and your hv seems to have passed on a few conceptions and raised your hopes. Sorry if that wasn't what you needed to hear atm.

There are other reasons why he may cry after a feed, as a lot of babies get ratty at this age due to boredom, frustration at their immobiltiy and as well as hunger/thirst. It won't last forever.

Twiglett · 06/12/2005 13:45

funny this

you have a problem and ask for advice

you are given solutions and because it doesn't fit with what you want to do you get the hump

shepherdswatchedtheirflockets · 06/12/2005 13:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

WigWamBam · 06/12/2005 13:58

It's a fact that first weaning foods aren't as filling as milk. They're not meant to be; they're just introducing new tastes and textures, and milk will still be the main way your baby gets his calories for quite some time yet. This might not be what you want to hear but it's the truth.

It's also a fact that some HVs need a smack, and if yours has led you to believe that early weaning is going to be a miracle that will stop your baby from being hungry and solve all of your problems with feeding then yours is one of them.

On the breastfeeding front - do you want to continue breastfeeding? Because if you are prepared to listen to what people are trying to tell you - and all they are trying to do is help you, remember that - then there is every chance that you will be able to.

Bugsy2 · 06/12/2005 14:03

CharBell, sounds like you've done really well to breastfeed your hungry baby for so long. Weaning does take a bit of time as initially they don't eat that much. My first was really hungry, drank gallons of milk - I expressed so I knew exactly how much and I weaned him at 16 weeks. It probably took about two weeks for it to really make a difference. I started with babyrice mixed with breastmilk and then introduced some pear puree a week later. He loved it and was munching his way through a small bowl full in no time. Barely noticed any decrease in his milk requirement either, he was just a hungry boy.
Good luck & hope this helps.

Original poster

CharBell · 06/12/2005 14:04

Yes of course I have offered him the second breast. Yes of course I know he is hungry and not tired/sad/bored/lonely/in pain. Yes of course I have tried putting him back on to the other boob and back to the next one - over and over again because I know about how to stimulate milk production. Yes of course I know that babies are better at stimulating than pumping alone which is why I do both. Yes of course I know that by giving him formula, I risk reducing my milk supply but I think I am on top of that, given that I am pumping air like mad. Yes of course I know my baby better than anyone and I know he is ready for solids. There is a reason why part of the guidelines for 'is he ready for solids' is does he still seem hungry after a feed. Yes of course I have experienced growth spurts. This has been going on for way too long. Yes of course I love my baby more than anything and I believe that weaning is the right thing for him. Your advice is pretty much what I expected from the breastfeeding forum, thought I might get something a little less narrow minded from the weaning forum. Honestly, forget it. I'll speak to my health visitor again.

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Original poster

CharBell · 06/12/2005 14:04

Aah - finally an answer to my question. Thanks Bugsy2!!

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OComeOliveFaithfOil · 06/12/2005 14:07

Calm down! Bloody hell, all I can see are helpful suggestions from people.

I weaned at 4 months for both of mine so am not part of the 'breast feeding police' (whatever that is), but you are being very rude imo.

shepherdswatchedtheirflockets · 06/12/2005 14:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

misdee · 06/12/2005 14:08

tbh my dd at 8months and on 3 meals a day still b/f about the same amount, plus water.

misdee · 06/12/2005 14:08

also found it very rude.

Original poster

CharBell · 06/12/2005 14:09

Sorry should have been more clear - wasn't really directed at you Shepherd.

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NotQuiteCockney · 06/12/2005 14:09

Um. CharBell? Are you ok?

Nobody has said you don't love your baby. Nobody has said you're not doing what you think is best.

Asking for help, then shouting at those who try to provide it, is a bit rude.

RacersTheRedNosedReindeer · 06/12/2005 14:11

"finally"? An hour after your post? Mmm. I'm sorry but I find your attitude impatient, ungrateful and rude! I guess you must be stressed but do you have to take it out on well-meaning MNers?

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