Feeding Solids

My twins are 7 months and weighing in at 18.14 and 16.14 as of 6 months. They've been eating solids now for about 1 and a half months. We've done the rice and oatmeal and fruits, veggies, and now we're on to chicken. I can't figure out how to decide if their eatign appropriate amounts. My son seems to eat what ever I put in front in front of him; my daughter eats slower and will leave some behind. They were both eating between 32 and 35 oz. before starting solids in 4 hour feedings. Now I give them their bottles after their solids every 4 to 4 1/2 hours. They eat about 3 to 4 oz. of prepared cereal and about 2 oz. of fruit for breakfast with a 6 oz. bottle, for lunch- 1 oz. of meat, 4 oz. veggie, and 2 oz. fruit with a 6 oz. bottle, and dinner- 3- 4 oz. of veggie, fruit, or cereal combo and a 6 oz. bottle and 7 to 8 oz. bottle before bed at about 7. Is there a general rule of thumb that I can follow? Today my son only took 2 and 1/2 oz of formula after his lunch. Is this ok if he's supposed to get most of nutrition from formula at this point? Also, when do I fit in juice or water??

 

Hi,

I'm no expert, but I would think that if solids are interfering with formula intake, you might want to offer a little less on the solid side. I think I read that from 6 months to a year, a baby needs at least 24 ounces of formula plus whatever solids you give. Of course, if they're still hitting that 24 ounces (or so) then I wouldn't worry. Also, I don't think you need to fit in juice (in my opinion). It offers little nutrition and lots of sugar. Stick to formula and water if you want.

 

QUOTE(Trishandthegirls @ Jan 7 2008, 02:02 PM) [snapback]561287[/snapback]
Hi,

I'm no expert, but I would think that if solids are interfering with formula intake, you might want to offer a little less on the solid side. I think I read that from 6 months to a year, a baby needs at least 24 ounces of formula plus whatever solids you give. Of course, if they're still hitting that 24 ounces (or so) then I wouldn't worry. Also, I don't think you need to fit in juice (in my opinion). It offers little nutrition and lots of sugar. Stick to formula and water if you want.



We were told 20oz.

 

I think if they take in somewhere around 24 oz., then whatever solids they eat on top of that is fine.

Mine are the same weights as yours, and eat a LOT less -- right now we're doing one meal of lunch a day, and they each eat about 2 oz. of fruits or veggies, and about 2 to 3 tablespoons of cereal (plus whatever formula it takes to mix). They both drink about 28 oz. of EBM and formula in addition....

We're planning to add another meal soon (when I can get it together!), and I expect they'll start drinking a little less -- but I don't want it to be too much less.

I also give a few sips of water after the meal, but don't plan on giving juice. I made the mistake of giving my older one juice, even though it was very watered down -- but it started a bad habit, and now she doesn't like to drink plain water.

 

I was told to make sure that formula made up the bulk of my babies' nutrition until 9 months, then it's sort of 50/50 after that, with food becoming the most important thing around a year. I wouldn't let them go below 28 oz. on a regular basis before 9 months, but that's just me. You know your babies. If you're in doubt cut back on solids and see what happens for a week.

 

QUOTE(CHJH @ Jan 7 2008, 04:30 PM) [snapback]561600[/snapback]
I was told to make sure that formula made up the bulk of my babies' nutrition until 9 months, then it's sort of 50/50 after that, with food becoming the most important thing around a year. I wouldn't let them go below 28 oz. on a regular basis before 9 months, but that's just me. You know your babies. If you're in doubt cut back on solids and see what happens for a week.



Hehe - Elizabeth has never drank 28oz. 26 is her record and usually more like 22. As you can see in my sig she is a big healthy girl. :-0

 

I'm with the pps - go with your gut and follow the babies' cues as far as how much solid food they want to eat - as long as it doesn't cut into their formula too much. Even the best diet of solids still does not have the perfectly balanced nutrition that formula does. I'd try to offer bottles before solids, so that they fill up on formula and use any leftover appetite for solids, instead of vice versa. HTH

 

I feel the same way about juices.
The doctor told me to move towards three meals a day and I felt like that was rushing it.
Thanks for the input.