First time mum would love advice

[Racheyg]

Hi there,
Not sure if I have posted in the correct section as I have a few questions, and they tie in with food. As the title says I am a first timer so every day is a new discovery :)

My son is 28 weeks, weighs 18lb 1oz and is 70cm.

My first question is when should I introduce dinner? He has 7oz @ 7am, ready brek with fruit purée @ 9, 5oz milk@ 10.30 homemade veg/meat and veg purée @ 12.30 7oz bottle@ 14.30 and bedtime bottle 8oz @ 18.30. He doesn't drink all his 10.30, and always seems to want more food, although I don't give it to him for fear of over feeding.

Should I drop the 10.30 when I introduce dinner? And move his lunch and 14.30 bottle forward? And give dinner about 16.30/17.00?

Also what healthy snacks are there, that I could give him? I tried to give him banana and mango to hold as he is very good with feeding himself but I was so worried he would choke as he kept sucking it back in and out of his mouth.

Last but not least, and not food related but he went to sleep ok at 18.45 as normal but woke at 10.30 screaming and wouldn't settle, then he was wide awake till 11.45 when he fell asleep in my arms tried to put him in his cot and got all upset again so he slept with us (first time, and I won't make a habit of it) till he woke up at 6.00 babbling away like normal. Could it be teething? He doesn't have any yet although has shown classic signs since 3 months. I gave him calpol for the first time, is it meant to make them sleepy? As he wasn't but seemed calm.

I'm so sorry for the long post, thanks in advance xx

Hi! I know you're looking for advice, but I'd actually be really interested to hear how you got to this phase. My LO is 5 months tomorrow and I'm really keen to start weaning but am at a loss about what times of day to introduce. I'm concerned that my LO won't be hungry if I try and introduce solids in between feeds but also don't want to interfere too much with his milk feeds as I know they're still going to be t he most important nutrients for him for now. (I posted a question on this earlier today). I'm also a first time Mum and would be so interested to hear how you started out. Thank you so much!!

Hi suebee,
I started weaning at 21 weeks as he had the pincer grip, lost the tongue thrust and he was able to sit well. I sought advice from health visitor first and she recommended weaning.

I started him on simple veg or fruit purée first (sweet potato was a fave and so is mango)for lunch after his bottle as I didn't want him too hungry. After 3 weeks I introduced breakfast which was fruit purée. At 26 weeks he went from 5 6oz bottles to what he is on now. Little man wasn't eating all his milk in his bottles as there where not enough hours in the day so the timings changed and the amount of milk changed to accommodate this.

Little man loves his food and waits with his mouth open, and doesn't like it if we are eating and he is not :) I'm just so nervous of over feeding him

Oh forgot to add good luck :)

Thank you Racheyg!! Did you start with introducing puree before milk, after milk, or inbetween milk feeds?? My LO is not a massively hungry baby and I'm concerned about introducing him to food when he's not hungry and/or messing up his current feeds. I love food and so am surprised by how nervous I am about this!

Hi Suebee,
I gave it to him after his lunch time milk at 12.00, so he wasnt hungry as this meant he didnt get worked up and was intrigued what was happening. Pretty soon after he go used to "food" we changed feeding times meaning there we gaps inbetween bottles and food.

At the moment as he still has 4 bottles, so most of our day is spent feeding :D

Im not sure on the giving food and it messing with bottle feeds as little man has a healthy appetite

Hi chunderlla,
I think it's teething, he is ok during the day but at night he is refusing to sleep. Has very red cheeks but no runny nappies. I brought Ashton ans parsons although I'm not sure if they are working. I will try and hold off on the 3rd meal, I'm alittle scared about finger foods as he was sucking on the and looked like he will choke :( you can tell I'm a first timer ;)