when do I reduce number of milky meals?

[bessie26]

Hi

my 6 month old DD just started on mushy food a week or so ago, so as well as having 4 milky (bf) meals a day, she's happily chomping down a bit of fruit/rice for breakfast & some veggies for lunch

I'm currently giving her the mush about an hour after her milk feed, but I guess at some point I should swap it round & give her the mush first?

I realise she'll start taking less milk at feeds as her tummy gets filled up with "proper" food, but how will I know when I can drop a milk feed?

TIA

you can drop the feed when she starts to not want it so you dont have to actually do anything about it yourself. You dont need to swap things about either (well I never did!) as you lo will let you know when they want less milk and more solids.

I'd keep it exactly as how you are doing it for now... Milk feed, then some solids later. This insures that she is getting what she needs from the breastmilk....which will still be her main source of nutrition in the first year.

Think of her solids as a side to her meal...the breastmilk. As adults, we eat our food and have a drink on the side....for babies, it is the other way around. As she slowly takes in more solids, she will start to take in less milk.

If you desire to wean her more quickly....over the course of several days, gradually replace a milk feed (by shortening the time at the breast) with some solids....maybe offer a bit of water in a cup during the meal. This will allow your body to make the adjustment....watch her cues and see how she does with it.

She is only 6 months now and still needs lots of milk at this stage.Don't rush with anything as she will let you know.My dd dropped one of her milk feeds several weeks after we started weaning.Now at 10 months she is still having 3 bottles a day(morning,midday,bedtime)

Thanks for your replies, am glad to hear that my DD will let me know when she's ready to drop a feed!