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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

weaning.... i dont understand how to do it... help!

13 replies

tostaky · 27/04/2009 10:11

DS is 6 months, he has had baby porridge mixed with formula for three weeks roughly in the morning.
A week ago i introduced lunch (savory puree)

the problem is he was breastfed on demand so 1) i dont know how much he was eating and 2)i never had any routine for meal time..

so my problems are:

  • portion size? how much is too much? some days he'll eat everything, some days he'll refuse 3/4 of it
  • milk. i understand he needs at least 500ml of milk nowadays. but if i give him milk early am, mid-am, mid-pm, late feed + nights (wakes up 3 times to feed) is that enough? how much milk is there in a boob. how many milk feed do i drop and how do i space them spo he is hungry at meal time... i cant letr him cry bc he is hungry, can I?
confused
OP posts:
Original poster
tostaky · 27/04/2009 10:12

oh, forgot to add... it is so easy to give him the boob as well... any tips to resist?

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 27/04/2009 10:12

don't drop any milk feeds. breastmilk should be his main source of nutrition until he is a year old, solids are just additional at this stage.

let him eat what he is happy to eat, don't worry if some days he doesn't want much

MrsMattie · 27/04/2009 10:13

Ok, I am no expert, but from what I remember:

Don't worry about portion size. At this age (in fact, for some months to come) he will still begetting his main nutrition from milk, so this is all about introducing the idea of food, tastes and textures to his palate and tummy. let him eat until he is full, then stop and don't worry. If he eats a few spoons only, fine. If he scoffs a big bowl of food, great. It really doesn't matter.

Breastfeeding - no idea, as didn't bf that long. Sure someone will come along and advise soon.

theyoungvisiter · 27/04/2009 10:19

don't drop any feeds - at the moment it doesn't really matter how much he eats but later if you are worried about the amount of solids he is taking then you can offer the solids first, then a boob afterwards.

So in your case you could just offer solids before the mid am breastfeed, then offer the feed as usual afterwards. It doesn't need to be a to-the-minute meal either, it's more about just trying to time it so he's not bursting with milk or too hungry, or too tired.

Don't worry too much - it's not a competition to stuff as much veg as possible down their throats (although some people do seem to think it is ). My DS didn't take any significant amounts of solids until at least 9 months.

theyoungvisiter · 27/04/2009 10:20

Should have added - I'm not an expert so feel free to ignore.

ruddynorah · 27/04/2009 10:27

have you looked into baby led weaning? that's a nice next step from breastfeeding as it isn't about following a meal plan or a schedule or dropping milk feeds or worrying about amounts. a lot of 'traditional' weaning books etc are quite a far step from breastfeeding on demand.

Aranea · 27/04/2009 10:40

I have read that you need to ensure they have at least 4 milk feeds a day when you start weaning.

My dd2 is 6 months and she is bf on demand. I don't worry about how much she is taking etc, just let her have milk when she is hungry and offer her solid food at breakfast, lunch and supper times.

So far so good. She is gobbling up loads of food, whether or not she has had a milk feed recently. She doesn't demand milk as often now as she did before I started her on solids but as I say I am just following her requirements on that front, while trying to ensure she does get at least 4 milk feeds a day.

I offer her as much solid food as she wants and stop when she stops being very interested and starts looking at other stuff. Seems to work OK.

I've heard the rule 'till they're one, it's just for fun,' - ie you don't need to worry about quantities of solids consumed yet. This is the time for enjoying new flavours and textures.

Have fun!

Aranea · 27/04/2009 10:41

PS don't understand the question about resisting giving him the boob? Why do you want to resist?

Original poster
tostaky · 27/04/2009 10:59

because it is so much easier to give him my milk than to prepare solid food and clean up afterwards... but i would like to be consistent and offer him solid food at regular times every day.

OP posts:
Aranea · 27/04/2009 11:11

Yes, it is horribly messy isn't it? Grim. I just make sure I give her something at mealtimes when I'm giving meals to my 4yo (actually I have to, otherwise she screams blue murder). But I suppose I don't see it as resisting giving her the boob, cos she gets that too whenever she wants.

RaspberryBlower · 27/04/2009 11:26

I used to give her a breast feed first, then about an hour or so later give her something solid.

This ensures that they've had enough milk, which is the most important thing.

She didn't eat much solids at first, but over time the solids have got more and more and she has naturally dropped feeds herself. She is 11 months now and eats loads of solid food.

Try to relax about it and you'll be OK.

thisisyesterday · 27/04/2009 16:38

tostaky keep feeding on demand and fit meals in around it. honestly, it'll be fine

at this age they don't need set meal times or set amounts, breastmilk is the most important thing for him still. there is plenty of time for him to adapt to mealtimes and get into a routine when he is a bit bigger

lainey2778 · 28/04/2009 01:39

i found bf until 9
Porridge @ 12 - 1:30
jar @ 18:30
with 16oz milk a day by 2 bottles of 8oz made up 4 the day ahead combined with bf

will bring in a early morning solid feed when times right.

anyone think that sounds ok

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