Formula to Solids

There is a great book called Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. It has details on when to introduce foods (based on what is allergic and easy to digest), a daily food schedule, and meal suggestions.

W.,

I'm a mom and a grandmother (2 and 8 mos). I've been around the block a few times.

It's always best to listen to your doctor... but only you know your child as well as you do.

If you feel that your little one needs solids... give him solids.

What I would advise you not to do is overfeed.

At 7 1/2 mos old he doesn't need a 4 course dinner at every meal time.

Cereal in the morning with a little fruit--applesauce is always good.

A jar of vegies and 1/2 jar fruit at lunch.

Maybe some mashed meat and a half jar of fruit with a small bottle for dinner.

Bottles of diluted fruit juice for snacks... or dry cheerios to snack on...just remember that his little tummy should be the size of his fist.

HIS FIST.

If you overstuff it... it will stretch to want more. Once that happens... he'll eat until he's full if you let him and then it will stretch again and so forth and so forth and then he'll become overweight.

Just feed him enough--

I know it's hard to hear him cry when you think he's still hungry... but what you do to stop the crying may ruin his ability to feel "satisfied"... In the long run it's better for him not to go too far.

After you've given him a meal that is equivilent in size to his fist... give him a small portion of dry cheerios to munch on... he'll be okay!

I've always been told feed solids and a small bottle of formula/breast milk at one feeding. But if your son gets hungry often, maybe you should try solids and some water, and then formula the next time he seems hungry. You may just have to resign yourself to feeding every couple hours until he is older but you can keep the calories down with the water instead of formula. I worry he is not getting the fat that babies need to develop if he is on diet formula. Maybe that is actually why he is so hungry? Smaller amounts of undiluted formula may satisfy him more and he may eat less. I'm no doctor, but just a mom of two (big sturdy chubby babies who became strong, thin toddlers).

I would seperate them. Maybe start a breakfast, lunch and dinner cycle. They should still get 4 bottles a day at that age. I'm doing that with my 10 month old and it seems to be working.

Hi W.,

Here's my two cents:

Your first mistake was going "Against all my intuition". Always, always, always listen to your instincts when it comes to your child. Period. Nothing is stronger or more accurate than the bond between you. I'm glad you've started listening to yourself and it seems to be working for you two. That's great!

I think that you should give him formula with his solids, but wait until he's had a few bites. Just like we (adults) have a drink with our meal, offer him something to wash it down. That's what I've done with my son (just turned two and has always been a pretty hungry guy), and it's worked out great. That's the thing about kids that I wish I could learn...they stop eating when they're full. And once your son is up and about he'll burn off so much energy, weight will be the last of your worries!
As for ideas on what to feed him, when my son was around that age I would get a can of soup, (organic and low salt because I'm anal like that), strain it, mash up the bigger chunks and let him have at it. He loved it!

Hope this helps. Just remember you are his mom, you know what's best!
Cheers, A.

Who is this doctor???? FEED THE CHILD - he is hungry!! I thought fat babies were healthy babies - they will work it off when they crawl and walk, so they might as well bulk up when they are small. I always fed my kids (from birth) every three hours and fed them as much as they wanted (they breastfed) and then fed them solids until they started to spit them out (which meant they were not hungry anymore.) I had one very chubby baby and one skinny baby - it is in the genes and they both became very skinny, active toddlers.

1st off you should look for another doctor. Not all doctors think alike. And to basically water down his formula is regressing in his eating habits as sit will only make him hungrier sooner. I have 3 children and my first 2 were premie babies, very low birthweight. NEVER was I told to double feed to catch up so how can they have you cut back?? When it's time for a child to eat and they show signs of being ready, by all means they should eat. If anything else they'll fill up on heathier items such as vegetables and the cereal and have the milk to wash it down. But don't feed food and give the same amount of milk as before. That would definetely cause an increase in weight. But if you call another doctor they may have some more practical advice for you to follow. Also you can call your local hospital and ask to speak with a nutritionalist that specializes in children who can give you some good advice on which foods to avoid. If I remember correctly they should also have an alternative milk that is not so high in fat as the one you may be using. Also remember kids will loose some of their baby fat as they become more active. Your child should be crawling around like crazy and maybe even preparing to start walking sooner then you know. I don't want you to take my word over a doctors, however starving a baby of vital nutrients can also be harmful, so I would definetely follow your instincts and get a second opinion. And remember, mothers in tuition is real so if in your gut you know he's ready to eat you should let him, just feed the right foods. I would never try to get my child to cut back the diet he's used to and basically starve him to get his weight down, I would "change" his diet just like I would do for myself. I hope you get a second opinion, because the early years are vital to proper growth and development in all children. I changed my 1st daughters doctor 3 times before I found one that I could respect and feel comfortable with. Good luck. I'm sure everything will work out.

I think it is odd that your son would be put on a "diet" at such a young age. My son has been in the 97th percentile for weight since 2 months. However, your question was not about this. Initially solids are not for nutrition, they are just to get the child used to eating. What my doc recommended for us was to start with orange veggies, a jar a day, and if my son still seemed hungry after that then to give him a bottle. My son is a BIG eater, obviously by his size :). He normally would eat another 4oz of formula after the food. Don't worry about over feeding your son, he'll let you know when he's full. I honestly worried about this at first too, I swore up and down his "fullness" trigger didn't work. But when I fed him enough that he refused food he was much happier. Eventually you get the hang of it and know about how much works for him. Good luck.

Well as a nursing mom This sounded very suspusious, putting a baby on a diet, "ridicoulous" was my first thought. While i don't know much about formula feeding so II am not going to be much help(except all the cons, which this seems to add to the list)but wanted to say that it would seem to me that the mother
(sorry did't catch the name before responding) sounded right that said you should get a second opinion, watering down the formula is only going to make him hungrier sooner.
By the way another option that your ped.wouldn't think to suggest , how about switching to breastfeeding, it is possible to get your milk back, many adapting mothers can nurse even when they have never had their own. added bonus you can still feed your baby every time he cries because you don't have to worry about baby being "over weight" my oldest (she is now almost 3) was breastfeed on demand as an infant and was an extended nurser until 20 months and she was so porky(the cutest thing ever)and people who knew her then are amazed at how thin she has gotten. I just wanted to make sure you knew that was still an option it migh be hard work to get him on the breast but contact the Le Leche Legue and I bet they could help you out. Whatever happens best of luck to you and your sweet angel baby
As far as the actual question I would say that the once or twice a dday you feed him the solids you offer those first and then formula mabey a half portion(if your reallt worried about over feeding him) to see if he is still hungry but like I said I don't know alot about formula feeding so someone else might have a better answer to that specific question

Both of my boys were chunky little babies and I fed on demand for the first year. I expressed fears to my pediatrician that they were too heavy and his response to me was this.......

Babies do not have food issues. Adults have food issues. Babies eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full naturally. If they are hungry, feed them. Just make sure you choose healthy foods.

If it were me, I would offer him healthy foods in small portions. If he is hungry he will eat. If he wants more, he will let you know. Go with your instinct! My oldest son was off the charts by 6 months and I never limited his intake or put him on a diet. He is now tall and skinny at age eight.

When my daughter started solids, I would introdue one solid every three or four days. This is so you can see if they have an allergic reaction to any of the new foods. I did seperate the bottle feedings and the baby food feedings. When she woke up she would get a bottle, then about an hour or two later, I would feed her baby food. It was usually close to two hours. I would do the same throughout the day, bottle, then an hour or two later baby food. It worked for her and that way she wasn't overstuffed. I do have to say, it is a little strange that a doctor want to put a baby on a diet!! Did you ever consider getting a second opinion? Baby's at six/seven months old need to starts eating solid/baby food. A bottle just isn't enough for them anymore. I lived by, "if my daughter's hungry, I'm going to feed her!" Hope This helps!

Dear W.,
Were you breastfeeding him up until now? Just curious if your doc told you to stop breastfeeding him to put him on formula (which I would be mad at him for :) ) Anyway, I would feed him the formula and solids at the same time; maybe half of one and then half of the other, etc. This way,he'll get onto a schedule of eating at certain times, not continuously throughout the day. This worked for my kids. Also, both of my kids were healthy eaters and I have a hard time believing that they will overeat at this age... they are growing so quickly! He will lose his baby fat as he gets older. Eating is one of those things that will change (along with sleep) throughout his life. Just use your mommy instincts as you have been; God gave them to you!-AM

HI W., When my daughter was that age I alternated her formula and solids except at night. So, for her lunch(& when I added breakfast) it was between bottles but before bed I would give her her bottle first and then her rice cereal. It worked really good for her. The full belly definitely makes a difference w/ the sleep! Sounds like you are making the right choice and are feeding your baby healthy food. Good for you!

I too had some big boys who were hungry from birth on. My youngest started with rice cereal (very runny) at just a few weeks old - it was the only way he would sleep for most of the night. By a couple of months he wanted food and you do need to trust your instincts a lot of the time over your doctor. My niece's pediatrician told her her 1st should be eating a happy meal by a year old. Nice. Anyway, as far as too much - I always did things in conjunction so he/they didn't get confused as to what was food - and think something was a snack and to be expected differently. I would give them a drink to "wash things down" if you will. It worked well for me. They could then tell me when they were full by not wanting more mouth food - and just finishing off the bottle. I would say the bottles were decreased in size at least at first. But both my boys were hefty eaters. Always stayed on the high % weight, height, etc.. You are doing fine. Your son will tell you (by actions) if he isn't getting enough, or if he is stuffed. They will regurgitate if they have gotten too much. You can always stop him at a certain point, and see if he is satisfied or would cry for more. God Bless You and Good Luck!