Weaning a baby with a small appetite

[forevermore]

DD2 is mix fed and only BF for 5 min and takes 4oz feed when I offer formula (she feeds 2-3 hourly). She is 5 mths and on 50th centile. I am already worried that she couldn't possibly handle solids and milk. I am consious of the fact that milk is most important at 6 months so what if they only just take enough now to keep on 50th centile.

Does it mean they will take longer to take a significant amount of solids or worse drop milk feeds too soon? Or does this have no reflection on how they will take to solids.

What's the best way forward when the time comes?

Anyone weaning a baby on 50th centile and / or a baby that feeds less than 'recommended' amount.

TIA

you sound very worried.

do you understand how the centiles work? that the aim isn't to get to 100? has she been dropping down the centile chart is that why you're worried?

with the milk feeds..has she always been mixed fed? the amount of time she's on the breast doesn't really show how much she's getting. if she's very efficient that 5 mins may be all she needs, especially as she feeds frequently.

you probably need to say a bit more about what's happening.

She was EBF till 17 weeks (2hourly and 3 hourly at night) I have been trying to introduce a bottle for weeks but only last couple of weeks has she accepted without a fuss but will usually only take 3 oz without effort and another oz with some coaxing. So now my day is something like this:

2/5/7am BF then FF at 10ish, 1pm and 4pm BF, FF (4-5oz) at 7ish and BF to sleep (bad habit) then dream FF at 10ish (3-5oz). These times vary by up to an hour as alway fed on demand and only now trying to have some sort of routine.

Also she may only feed twice in the night and may BF three times daytime it depends. I have started reading some books by Tracy Hoggs and Gina ford and that's what has alarmed me really.

The books have highlighted that she should be on a four hourly routine by now not feeding like a newborn[shame]. And therefore taking larger quantities which would indicate a bigger stomach capacity.

If she has, I presume, a small stomach capacity how will she take to solids? also not sure how to stretch out time between feeds and the few times tGhis has happened by accident she hasn't really taken anymore TBH.
Oh and no she hasn't dropped centiles.
Does that clarify things?

"The books have highlighted that she should be on a four hourly routine by now not feeding like a newborn[shame]. And therefore taking larger quantities which would indicate a bigger stomach capacity."

Why should she? If she is happy and healthy then let her carry on. Shes only 5 months anyway. Milk is the best thing for her just now, so don't worry about solids. She sounds fine. Step away from the books!

ok.

so it's the books. your baby is fine. she is on the 50th centile. that is fine. she hasn't dropped centiles so there is no suggestion she is losing weight or not gaining. it's just the books are worrying you.

there is no 'should be on a four hourly routine'. those books have to be seen to solve non existent problems or they'd have nothing to say! they prey on worried new mums and create all this stress and hassle. you'll get far far far better info and support on here, honestly.

your baby doesn't have a small appetite. look how often she feeds. that's great! she'll be fine with solids. you have another month to go anyway before you even need to remotely think about that. and even then there's no big rush.