Timing feeding solids when weaning

[lepetitchoufleur]

Hi all, my DS (6mo) loves his lunch but I'm struggling to get him up to 3 meals a day. Should I be worried about this at this point? I think its because my timing is all off - I tend to give him his bottle then let him play for a bit then try solids - a mix of purees and finger food. Much fun! Thoughts?

The common advice is to have milk feeds an hour before solids. But I'm totally not a routine person, so in the two weeks I tried purees I never managed it. It would be either sleep, overtiredness or going out that gets in the way of solids time. I also bf on demand so it didnt help. If you run a fixed routine of naps and milk feeds then you could work out meal times too?

Anyway in the end I went blw and dont bother to sync milk and solid feeds. If she's hungry I just bf and then straight to solids. If you are struggling, maybe try my approach. I reckon as long as milk comes before solids, your LO will get all the nutrients he needs.

lepetit there is no law saying that you have to give 3 meals a day at 6 months, in fact many babies aren't weaned until later.

If you are struggling you could just continue giving 2 for a while or lilham's approach is a good suggestion too. [hsmile].

Ah routines! DS was poorly when he was born and one of the things we had to do was feed him on a very strict routine for the first few months, which included waking him for food during the night. Since he's overcome his illness and we were able to let him sleep through the night and be more flexible in the day he settled himself into a nice neat pattern of feeds and sleep, but then we started weaning and its all gone up the wall, which isn't helping in the slightest! I think I'm worrying because a) I've read a lot that they should be on 3 meals by 7 mo which we are fast approaching and b) I g back to work on Monday and people are asking me when he should be fed etc. and I just don't know at the moment! I would just play it by ear if I was staying at home to do it myself as you did. Sigh.

Its a baby. It doesn't know time of day. Can have lunch at 10 if its awake at 5 for example.... Equally makes it easier with food - have used a light curry at breakfast as again rules no longer apply til its a bit older... Happy days!

Gets more problematic by 10mths but by now Ive at least remembered to feed DD properly. Used to forget. Seriously. Takes a while to remember its not milk only!

Actually at 6mths Id suggest just breakfast and maybe a light snack later. I did breakfast at 6mths. Breakfast and snack at 7mths. Breakfast and Dinner at 8mths (I kept forgetting lunch). And 3 meals by 9mths. Memory improved an awful lot in that time and our routine seemed to absorb this change better. Now its 8am brekkie, 12:30 lunch, 5:30 dinner. 7pm bath 7:30 bed. Sometimes a mid pm snack.

Instead of making a big deal, just sit him in the high chair when you are sitting down for a meal, and give him finger foods (part of your meal) and continue with milk feeds as normal.

Agree with GreenMonkies too [hsmile]

What time will you be leaving for work LePetit? What time does he usually wake and who will be looking after him? All these things have an affect don't they [hsmile]

My hv told me solids BEFORE milk at breakfast lunch and dinner to make sure baby is hungry enough for solids. Seems to be helping get her interested.

thanks all, lots of good stuff here. DH works weekends so he will take care of the boy mondays and tuesdays (effectively his weekend) and grannie will take him wednesdays with a childminder taking thursdays. I am taking fridays off to help DH with some of his business related stuff but can take care of DS. Complicated much?! So when DH is here I can leave for work around 8:30, will be 7:45 on thurs for the childminder and around 7:15 to get him to grannie. Banana I've been doing that with good success last couple of days too!!!

BananaPie, there are more calories and accessible nutrition in milk, particularly breastmilk, than in solids, so milk should be the main source of nutrition, even if it's not breastmilk, for the first 12-18 months. Solids are entirely complimentary, and not a main food source at this age.

So, focus on milk feeds, with some solids added in, don't fill them up with solids and then top them up with milk. Your HV needs to do some retraining.

Agree with Greenmonkies, unfortunately your HV has not given you the correct information Banana.

Odd as I have now been told the same by a dietician. Think I'll stick with their advice as a) they're health care professionals and b) at least it's got her starting to eat some solids!

BananaPie, when did this HV and dietitian last do any up-to-date training in this field? www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-how.html

I am just, beginning to wean my dd who is 6months. I'm pretty much doing with her the same as dc 1&2. We're currently still breastfeeding, but I do like routine! Here's how I plan to work the meals out milk out in the day:
7am(whenever wakes up) milk
8am breakfast
11am milk
11.30 lunch
12 ish nap
3pm milk
5pm dinner
7pm milk
10pm milk (dream feed)
This routine works best for me fitting around school runs etc.

Thanks growing3 that's pretty similar to us :o)