To feed or not to feed?

[mamaeyes]

Here goes, first post...

My 4 month old is a really big boy with an incredibly healthy appetite. Am exclusively bf-ing and feeds have gone right up to 45 minutes a time (from 10/15). He's already very stable sitting upright (although not able to do it unaided) and exhibits behaviour you'd expect from an older baby.

Now, of late he has been very interested in our food. We had him in a highchair at the table today and had to wrangle some bread out of his hand.

I was really hoping to do BLW, but would people recommend starting that approach at such a young age. He really seems to want more than just milk and I'm loath to give him formula or baby rice.

Any ideas?

Not

LOL sorry I know you are new but did he tell you he wants more than milk? How do you know?

I am sure you know that guidelines are six months and the reasons behind that. The merit of BLW is that if the baby isn't ready, it generally won't eat, so I suppose you could try but I doubt he would actually eat.

There is a list somewhere which has five or so points that if you can tick them all off then baby is ready for weaning.

Also, 4 month old babies are interested in most things, mobile phones, keys etc, it really doesn't mean anything.

My baby couldn't take her eyes off of my post childbirth toast.

You could always just let him take the bread. I'd be very surprised if any of it made his stomach but you never know!

(They're not meant to have gluten before 6 months though, but then I really don't think he'll do anything more than suck at it.)

Yes, he whispered it in my ear.

I think it just seems that he is constantly feeding and never seems to be sated!

I've had a day of 'isn't he a big boy' and am beginning to doubt that I can satisfy the guy on milk alone.

At 4 months old babies have a big growth spurt.

This can be a tough time, but its important to just let them feed as long as as often as they want to. It won't last forever. Tis hard though, I know - both of my boys have been bf and on 98th percentile for weight.

If you stick at it for just a few more weeks, weaning will be a lot easier.

I guess what I'm trying to say in answer to your question is not to feed (for a few more weeks!)

Okay I'll be nice.

Around the 4 month mark babies often exhibit challenging behaviour, whilst being more demanding feedingwise and probably waking more in the night. It is normal.

If he truly does need more calories, these are found plentiful in milk, and much less so in carrot sticks.

Your child need to be able to sit upright unaided to reduce the risk of choking before you introduce lumpy food.

Good luck!

Thanks. Shall persevere with bf-ing alone. He seems so much bigger and more mature (!) than he was and I'm forgetting how much more maturing he will do. Running before walking and all that.

My DD had a horrible 4 month growth spurt and my friend insisted I needed to wean her.

I held out til 6 months and am very glad I did as her sleeping and feeding settled down quite a few weeks before I weaned her anyway.