How much does your 7 month old eat?

[RJS20]

Just here for a bit of outsider perspective and any weaning tips.

DS is 7.5 months and has 3 meals and about 21-24oz milk a day and I thought we were doing pretty well but the dietitian today has made me feel like I’m failing DS.

For way of background he has been on Nutramigen since he was 8/9 weeks old due to a suspected CMPA (rash, wheezing, reflux) but only today did we go for his allergy tests. It was confirmed and he’s actually ended up with epipens.

We saw the dietitian as part of this and discussed weaning, day usually goes:

7oz morning bottle
breakfast - dairy free porridge/mashed up banana, then cut up toast and some blueberries for finger food
mid morning - avocado/hummus, cucumber/carrots, toast or melty sticks
7oz afternoon bottle
tea - pasta/omelette/fish/, mashed potato , carrots (we don’t eat meat)
bedtime - 7oz bottle

Basically she said I was relying too much on a bottle and he is having plain boring food and that she we worried about his diet, and then questioned if I also eat correctly! She suggested I give him loads of stuff which I personally think sounds high in sugar or salt. E.g She suggested I give him heinz beans on toast (he’s 7.5 months and just about getting there with finger foods/surely the sauce is high in sugars etc)?

He is okay with finger food but it does tend to gets mashed up and he gets frustrated so I offer mashed up spoon fed foods alongside so I know he’s actually getting food.

Thoughts? It’s made me rethink everything I’ve been doing, he’s spot on for weight and height considering he was born a little early and enjoys his food so I don’t understand the issue?

Sorry to ramble.

[BrambleJamandCustard]

No right or wrong, just different strokes for different folks!

People- including babies can tell when they’ve had enough of something salty or otherwise. If you have beans on toast for example, one baby spoon/bite of beans to try (or more until they say they are done with it) won’t hurt. That’s baby led weaning for you! Follow the baby’s choice. Give them time to roll it around in their mouth/squish in their hands and whether they want it or not keep calm and just say cool, next food to try.

Also, you are the parent and get to choose for now about these things so her opinion is just that if you want it to be. Exposing them to it doesn’t mean allowing them to eat a lot of it if you don’t want to. You can also buy the reduced salt & sugar options- some shop own brands are actually healthier. Lentils are great if beans don’t appeal.

Plus, like you said, he’s fine for height & weight. He has plenty fruit & veg by the sounds of it which is more than can be said for a lot of adults! What is normal to some isn’t normal to others. She may be projecting as it’s different to what she knows. As long as milestones are met then everything else is minuscule.

I feel like I am definitely rambling 🫣 hope it is of some use!!

[chocolateanddietcoke]

My son is 15 months gaining weight steadily and well after being low weight and has the below:

Breakfast-
Small bowl of porridge (2.5 tablespoons plus milk)
A small petit filou
Handful of blueberries/small fruit pouch.
3 oz milk.

lunch
-small portion of cottage pie

• fruit

Dinner -

• pasta with veg sauce and chicken (maybe 3 tablespoons worth)
• little dessert ie custard / rice pudding
• fruit

8oz milk pre sleep.

What I'm trying to say is that what my son eats when food is his main source.

What your son is having sounds fine! Brilliant even and I wish my son had eaten that well at his age.

food is fun before one all his nutrition comes from milk, you're doing a great job dont doubt yourself x

[CadyEastman]

I don't think you're relying too much in formulating at this age. The NHS guidelines are to build upto offering solids 3 times a day between 8 and 9 months and you're already doing that and he seems to be enjoying it.

She might have a point about the food being a bit plain though!

How about some Dahl or a a vegetable biryani?

How about some Empanadas?

[CadyEastman]

*on formula!

[RedDuffle]

I think you're doing really well OP! My baby is 16 months now but when she was 7 months she was only on one or two meals a day, alongside breastfeeds.

Your food sounds healthy, you could always try a few weaning recipes if you want to shake it up a bit, Joe Wicks has a good book :)

[RJS20]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies and suggestions.

He is such a happy and healthy little lad, I guess it just threw me as he is meeting all his milestones (already crawling, trying to pull himself up now).

I’m going to make a few changes and stop doubting myself ♥️

[CadyEastman]

I’m going to make a few changes and stop doubting myself

You're both doing really well already..

If you want any suggestions of DF meals, just shout