I may not think of all considerations to write about so be patient. I have 8 month old that i started with solids at 5 months. He started out pretty well, but for the past few weeks he is not interested at all. My routine has always been food first (lunch and dinner so far) then boob. He is still very interested in the boob so I have not dropped any feedings yet, especially since he never has eaten enough to skip the boob and he is not disinterested. I guessed he was rejecting pureed food b/c he wants to feed himself and so I tried easy finger foods. Seemed to work but he never eats very much of them and quickly does not want them. He has gotten to the point of not wanting anything. I am so worried about him getting enough nutrients / calories. Ideas, experiences, suggestions?
He should be getting most of his nutrition from breast milk and/or formula until he's 12 months old, he doesn't NEED solids, they are just practice at this age. So stop stressing about it. If he doesn't want it then leave it alone wait a week or two and try again, it's no big deal. My kids didn't really eat baby food AT ALL and they were as healthy and happy as kids come.
He is far too young to worry about this. At this age 100% of his nutrition comes from breastmilk, and you should definitely NOT drop any feedings this early. In fact, I would suggest that you always nurse first, and then, when you sit down for dinner, you can put some finger foods on this tray. If he eats a few, fine, and if he doesn't that's fine too. But definitely do not expect solids to replace a nursing session at this age.
And, some babies just aren't ready for solids until later. My oldest wouldn't have anything to do with solids until 14 months old (he even refused to touch the frosting on his 1st birthday cake). Once he started, he would try anything and was a great eater. It was purely developmental - some babies just aren't ready for solids until later.
He doesn't need anything but breastmilk until he's at least a year old. Relax. Solids at this age are for experimenting with tastes and textures, and practice with picking things up, putting them in his mouth, using his teeth and tongue, etc.
Breastfeeding should be his main source of food. While you are having your own meals, sit him at the table and let him play with food, test things out, pick up and taste what he wants, etc. Offer him bits of what you're eating (obviously only what's appropriate) and let him have fun trying new flavors and textures, but don't pressure him or stress about it. He'll get there when he is interested and ready.
I would nurse first then feed. I think that until a year its mostly for a taste and texture thing, not quite a calorie thing. I wouldn't stress until he is one. Does he doe the little finger foods for snacks? like the puffs and stuff?
You should BF first and then offer food. If he is not interested, it is fine because all of his nutritional needs are met exclusively through breast milk. My kids didn't have solid food until 1 year old and they never ate baby food. (I tried but they didn't like it so I didn't push).
Our son didn't really take to solids till he was almost a year old.
As long as he was getting breast milk / formula (I dried up at 5 months), his nutrition was fine and his doctor wasn't worried one little bit.
It's not a race and there's no need to rush.
He'll be eating solids sooner or later.
Also - teething (and ear infections) can affect their eating too - and you're in prime time for it.
Breast feed him first. Then
Offer solids. Needs milk not solids at this age. Solids is just for practice.
Boob first for as much as he wants to nurse, then food. If he doesn't eat much food it is no big deal. He is way too young for you to worry about this. He will come around eventually. If he gets not a morsel of food and just breast milk he will still get everything he needs and be perfectly healthy for a while. Not saying that to discourage you from feeding him but just so you don't worry:)
Baby food has almost no nutrition to them. He wants to nurse because he's starving for nutrients. Feed breast first please. It has everything he needs. Then let him have some foods. Food at this age is ONLY to teach him to chew and swallow without choking.
So many people think feeding them food is good because they get all chubby and cute. They get fat because the food isn't food and it turns to fat. Breast milk and formula has 100% of the minerals and nutrients babies need that first full year.
This information is straight from the horses mouth. I called either Del Monte or Gerber to ask about stage 3 baby food that had been given to me but it had expired the week before. They told me I could use it but it had zero nutrition in it and it would be like feeding the kiddo flavored goo, not food.
She said that the food comes off the line as a good source for teaching the baby to chew and swallow but it has very little nutrition in it to begin with because mom's are supposed to nurse or give the baby a bottle first. As the food goes in the boxes then onto a truck then into a warehouse to sit and sit. Then back on a truck to go to the store where it sits on a shelf in the back, until the jars in front of it get sold. Then it's finally sold and fed to a baby.
The jar is glass, light gets through, the food deteriorates this whole time, losing its minimal nutrition before it's ever bought.
It's not unhealthy to feed to a baby...it's just not nutritional. It's a tool for teaching.
Formula or breast milk FIRST so he won't be starving.
8 months is probably plenty early for solids, cutting teeth will change his food interests very quickly. If he's hungry, he will eat, as long as he isn't losing weight, and he has normal growth and weight patterns, I wouldn't worry.
At 8 months, breastmilk still provides all the nutrition he needs, so flip your routine - nurse first, then offer solids - but don't stress out if he doesn't eat many or rejects some solid foods.
Up til 1 yr, breastmilk is primary. Food is just practice. I would keep nursing him, and offer him snacks and solids in between. He may not like baby food or may not be ready for a full meal. Kids need to be exposed to something often to get the hang of it. Please do NOT worry about his intake if he's nursing well. YOU provide all he needs. Please do not limit his breastmilk so he'll eat solids. He needs that, not Gerber puffs. You may also want to look at wholesomebabyfood.com.
First of all, what is your son's height and weight like? He may be getting more than enough calories from your milk and so, he doesn't have any room for more from solids. I think that, maybe, you should limit the breast milk, somewhat. Give him a day or two to compensate and he should start feeling hungry and accept other foods. He may demand the breast, instead but try to be strong and offer the solids.
Hope it helps. Good luck!
Your child just needs the breast at this point. It is his most nutritional "food" at this
Pint. If you feel he needs more, give him cereal mixed with breast milk.
. He also can attempt to feed himself baby food, but it should be puréed. Do not rush the food. His body is still new and learning to digest and pass efficiently.
Make sure the pediatrician has approved of feeding your child
