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Weaning

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Original poster

Portion size HELP

26 replies

Hyperquiet · 24/05/2024 22:18

I haven't got a clue how much portion size wise to give to my baby for breakfast lunch and dinner. Google is no help and its just guesswork. I think my baby will just keep eating so I need to dictate the amount.

LO is 7 months old (nearly 8 months old) and we're currently serving breakfast and lunch and I am breastfeeding.

We will be introducing dinner at 8.5 months ish.

Help please!

OP posts:
ForTheLoveOff · 25/05/2024 17:03

I have been having the same dilemma, from what I can make out online babies are very good at only taking in the amount they need so I have been giving my LO as much as they want at mealtimes. She is 9 months in a couple of days and has breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm finding it hard to judge because my eldest barely ate whereas I'm sure my DD will sit for an hour eating!

Original poster
Hyperquiet · 25/05/2024 18:12

ForTheLoveOff · 25/05/2024 17:03

I have been having the same dilemma, from what I can make out online babies are very good at only taking in the amount they need so I have been giving my LO as much as they want at mealtimes. She is 9 months in a couple of days and has breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm finding it hard to judge because my eldest barely ate whereas I'm sure my DD will sit for an hour eating!

This is the thing! Would be helpful to know how much others serve their similar aged children! Even a ballpark amount.

OP posts:
Kitkat1523 · 25/05/2024 18:20

First steps nutrition website….gives you portion sizes

DoublePeonies · 25/05/2024 18:24

It was a long time ago, but we just went with DS's lead. He ate way, way more than most other kids his age. And continues to eat very well.
As a baby, his first word was "more" whilst sat in the highchair. And as a primary school child, his nickname was dustbin. He was, and is, skinny (but very active).
If it's healthy stuff, just go with what baby will eat, and trust them.

ForTheLoveOff · 25/05/2024 18:39

I guess it's hard to go by portion amount, because we don't know what it is you are feeding him. As others have said, just be led by him, and don't think too much about it. We had to write food diaries for weeks about my youngest, because she ate barely anything. At least it is the other way around in your case. If you are concerned about his weight at all I would contact your health visitor. All the best OP ☺️

ForTheLoveOff · 25/05/2024 18:44

Sorry just realised I kept saying 'him' and I have no idea if you have a boy or a girl.

tweetypi · 25/05/2024 19:00

We did baby led and let ourselves be guided by them. Some days they ate loads, other days they ate much less. My 5 year old is very active and lean so I'm happy this was right for her. Not having regular portion sizes was more of a problem for me in terms of knowing how much to prepare but I kept some for the next day if needed. Good luck!

BurbageBrook · 25/05/2024 19:12

I make more than I think DD will eat and then I just follow her lead. I think that's important especially if you're giving healthy food. Only thing I limit is anything processed like bread.

Peonies12 · 25/05/2024 19:14

It really doesn’t matter, just give a few bits and see if they want more. First 6 months are for tasting and learning

BurbageBrook · 25/05/2024 19:20

Oh sorry and you asked for specifics. Well for breakfast my 10 month old might have about half an adult portion of porridge or a slice of wholemeal toast and one scrambled egg. Then maybe a handful of squashed blueberries or suchlike. For lunch she might have a small bowl of dahl which I'll feed her (we do a mixture of self feeding and a bit of spoon feeding). Maybe some fruit for pudding but she usually throws most of that on the floor. For dinner the other day she self-fed an entire fillet of sea bass with the skin removed and a few broccoli florets and green beans. And all this alongside quite a lot of BF! At your baby's age she could eat similar amounts but would then not fancy eating anything for the next meal so we just followed her lead.

BurbageBrook · 25/05/2024 19:21

Also I highly recommend introducing dinner and skipping lunch if your baby doesn't sleep well as mine sleeps way better after a good dinner containing protein.

BurbageBrook · 25/05/2024 19:22

Sorry final post I should've said my DD is very high centile so a hungry baby I imagine.

ForTheLoveOff · 25/05/2024 19:33

I'm by no means an expert but I would recommend introducing dinner? I would give my baby half a crumpet and half a bananna for breakfast, I've made blueberry and bananna pancakes sometimes. For lunch/ dinner they have probably a handful of pasta with veg and cheese / maybe tuna. Or I've made veggie mash with mince- maybe a medium bowl full. Whenever we give her a jar of the the heinze baby food she eats the whole thing on top of bits of finger food. See how they go ☺️

DappledThings · 25/05/2024 19:52

I don't remember really thinking about portions. Sometimes they ate loads, sometimes hardly any so I just served up a smallish amount and let them decide how much they wanted.

Original poster
Hyperquiet · 25/05/2024 22:06

Kitkat1523 · 25/05/2024 18:20

First steps nutrition website….gives you portion sizes

Thank you. Though I think this is from 1 years old and my baby is almost 8 months!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hyperquiet · 25/05/2024 22:08

DoublePeonies · 25/05/2024 18:24

It was a long time ago, but we just went with DS's lead. He ate way, way more than most other kids his age. And continues to eat very well.
As a baby, his first word was "more" whilst sat in the highchair. And as a primary school child, his nickname was dustbin. He was, and is, skinny (but very active).
If it's healthy stuff, just go with what baby will eat, and trust them.

Haha!

The issue is I don't know how much to prepare and serve. Sometimes he's groaning but will still continue eating.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hyperquiet · 25/05/2024 22:10

ForTheLoveOff · 25/05/2024 18:39

I guess it's hard to go by portion amount, because we don't know what it is you are feeding him. As others have said, just be led by him, and don't think too much about it. We had to write food diaries for weeks about my youngest, because she ate barely anything. At least it is the other way around in your case. If you are concerned about his weight at all I would contact your health visitor. All the best OP ☺️

So if I'm giving him Porridge with berries for breakfast, how much Porridge would be appropriate for example?

Also I made fish pie bites today and gave him 2 croquettes of those but I'm sure he would've had more but I don't know how much to make and serve and when to stop.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hyperquiet · 25/05/2024 22:12

BurbageBrook · 25/05/2024 19:20

Oh sorry and you asked for specifics. Well for breakfast my 10 month old might have about half an adult portion of porridge or a slice of wholemeal toast and one scrambled egg. Then maybe a handful of squashed blueberries or suchlike. For lunch she might have a small bowl of dahl which I'll feed her (we do a mixture of self feeding and a bit of spoon feeding). Maybe some fruit for pudding but she usually throws most of that on the floor. For dinner the other day she self-fed an entire fillet of sea bass with the skin removed and a few broccoli florets and green beans. And all this alongside quite a lot of BF! At your baby's age she could eat similar amounts but would then not fancy eating anything for the next meal so we just followed her lead.

Thanks. This is helpful. It varies so much by age but my baby is quite tall so I assume he needs more than qhats standard for his age. But I can't seem to find a portion amount indication for 7 to 8 months in the first place!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hyperquiet · 25/05/2024 22:13

BurbageBrook · 25/05/2024 19:21

Also I highly recommend introducing dinner and skipping lunch if your baby doesn't sleep well as mine sleeps way better after a good dinner containing protein.

I didn't think of this. Good idea!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hyperquiet · 25/05/2024 22:14

ForTheLoveOff · 25/05/2024 19:33

I'm by no means an expert but I would recommend introducing dinner? I would give my baby half a crumpet and half a bananna for breakfast, I've made blueberry and bananna pancakes sometimes. For lunch/ dinner they have probably a handful of pasta with veg and cheese / maybe tuna. Or I've made veggie mash with mince- maybe a medium bowl full. Whenever we give her a jar of the the heinze baby food she eats the whole thing on top of bits of finger food. See how they go ☺️

Thank you 😀

OP posts:
CadyEastman · 26/05/2024 06:52

This guide from the Caroline Walker Trust has some good information on portion sizes Wink

DoublePeonies · 26/05/2024 06:56

You don't have to give more of the same.
So, prepare a small bowl of porridge - whatever you think he typically eats. If that all vanishes, and he's searching for more, offer fruit, or some toast.
Finished all the fish? Scramble an egg.

There are ways to top up a meal without having to cater for varying appetite each meal.

Probably not at 8 months, but after about 12 or 14 months, I would also offer something they weren't particularly keen on, if I thought they were being piggy rather than could possibly still be hungry.
So, DS1 would get offered a banana. DS2 a bowl of cereal. If those offers were accepted, I knew they were truly hungry.

CadyEastman · 26/05/2024 06:56

I found this on eating oily fish useful too Wink

CadyEastman · 26/05/2024 07:15

DoublePeonies has it nailed too Wink