Questions about solids

I need some guidance here. My girls are 7 months (almost 8) and we have been doing a 3 meal a day schedule with 4 bottles (7oz every 4 hrs) during the day. I know from reading other peoples posts that I seem to feed my girls a lot less solids than most people. I have never fed them until they refused food, they always seem to gobble up what I give them. I have been increasing the amount slowly because I found they were spitting up a bit. They are probably only getting 3-4oz total of food at a sitting.

How much food were you feeding when you found they started to take less formula?? I've been finding Quinn seems pokey with her bottle and has been leaving an ounce here and there. Is this ok already? They are already on the low end of formula consumption for the day 28 ounce total.

They seem to be happy and not starving, but of course I worry, because I'm a Mom and thats what we do!

 

We always worry, it's only normal.

I think your feeding schedule is fine. I noticed the same thing as I added more and more solids (following my boys' lead) that they consumed less formula. I actually discussed it with my pediatrician and she said as long as they get around 18-22 oz of formula a day, they are ok.

 

That's pretty much our exact feeding schedule also, and we are leaning much more towards the 18-22 oz of formula per day range. (In fact, my daughter doesn't even hit that most days.) It was that 3rd solid that really did it, after that even my piggy son stopped draining his 7 oz bottles most feedings. I'm not positive how much solids they're getting since I make a lot of my own (for now - I start back to work soon so I am sure that will stop), but when we do the pre-packaged at dinner they will share 2 3.5 ounce containers and usually finish, if that helps.

 

I tried to answer to this post HOURS ago! LOL!

I too think your feeding schedule is totally fine. I never measured any food for the kids. It always changed. And their bottles, as they ate more, they had less in their bottle. But they would eventually finish it, if I kept trying-and giving them more than an hour to finish. I find all three of my kids RARELY finished a bottle in one sitting. It usually took two to three tries! I'm not a fan of the feeding, because once you figure it out-they go and switch it on you! :laughing:

And I try not to worry-they all were thriving and growing well. But it's our job-we always think there is room for improvement! You're doing great momma!

 

I would not increase their solids because you don't want their milk consumption to go down. Milk is the most important source of calories during the first year. At 8 months we were doing 2 meals of solids a day and nursing approximately every 3 hours. We didn't add a 3rd meal until 10-11 months.

 

agree with PP that you shouldn't increase solids because milk consumption may go down as a result. milk/formula should be the primary source of calories at this age and solids are just for practice at this point.

try not to worry too much about total number of ounces consumed if your pedi is happy with their weight and they seem to be satisfied.

 

The milk range we were told for that age was 16-24 oz. We strived for 20 oz and usually landed around 22 oz. Also, we were on 2 solid meals consistently, sometimes 3, and a couple snacks. Not only do you sound perfect, you sound like you are hitting the ball out of the park! Good job momma!!!!! I would use their alertness and happiness as a guide - sounds like things are going very well.

Edited to say that we always leave 1/2 oz to 1.5 oz in the bottle...even now!

 

Thanks everyone for your replies. I feel pretty good about it now. We don't see our pedi next until they are a year. He saw them at 4 months and said they were fabulous so no need to see him (just our regular Dr. for shots). I figured at this point I would just keep feeding them the same amount for the next couple months (unless of course they seem hungry. I know how important the formula still is so I wasn't wanting to have them take less. They seem good on this schedule so I will just keep up with it then :yahoo: