Spin-off on the topic of solids

I am a little nervous about solids getting in the way of formula for my DD. Everyone seems to say that they started solids in between the last two feedings of the day. I feel like everything runs together between the last nap and bedtime...how do you have time to fit it all in?

For example, DD's last meal was 1:30 and she went down for her nap by 3:15 and slept until 4:30. I have been giving her a small bottle and then a little oatmeal with a spoon when she wakes from this nap. She is not really a big bottle drinker and only has about 17 ounces in for today so far. It is always a question whether she is even going to take a bottle at all and I really feel better, for obvious reasons, when she takes her last bottle right before bed around 6:30. So, how do I fit in two more bottles (she is due for one at 4:30 and will be offered one before bed) within the 2 hour window that they are "supposed" to be back in bed by? I am leaning towards skipping the 4:30 bottle and only doing the cereal at that time. I am a little nervous that she won't be getting enough formula in the day though as I know this is where they get most of their nutrition. Is that what you would do? She has really been into the solids and also has been enjoying sweet potatoes between her morning feedings.

Does everyone have anxiety about the formula getting pushed out of the way when solids are started? I swear I have the only children in the universe who could care less about eating their bottles...it makes me nuts!

I swear, one day I will be able to parent by myself...until then, thanks for your help!
Amy

 

At 4 months old, my priority would be the bottles then solids. Solids right now are for practice.

We started off solids, by bfing, then giving cereal with fruit or veggie. As time went by, they started eating more and we added in breakfast after bfing. Now I'm working on lunch.

Here's my typical schedule:

5:00 a wake up/bf
5:30 a oatmeal with fruit (started at 6 months)
5:50 a back down to sleep before daycare (on weekends stay down until about 7:30)
7:30 a up for the day (weekends)
9:00 a 6 oz bottle
10-11 usually a nap in here somewhere anywhere from 30 min to hour
12:00 6 oz bottle
12:30 split a jar of fruit/veggie and some cheerios (just started doing this)
3:00 p 6 oz bottle
5:45 p 5 oz bottle
6:45 p dinner (they share a jar of veggie/dinner with cereal, another veggie, and a jar of fruit)
7:15/7:30 bedtime
9:30 p 2-3 oz tide-over bottle (working on getting rid of this one)

Mine did not start eating 6 oz bottles until recently. Plus at 4 months, mine would share about 2-3 Tbl. of cereal/oatmeal with stage 1 fruit or veggie for dinner. They were taking 4 oz bottles/bf every 3 hours and still got up for 2 nighttime feeds.

I'm sorry if this isn't very helpful but that's our schedule.

 

Just to add...our schedule at 4 months-5months was the same as listed, just all bottles or bf except for the dinner.

 

Hi Amy - We are trying to work solids in between the last two bottles of the day. I would probably try them in AM, if it weren't for the fact that I work FT. So really it's the only mealtime I'm home for, and I didn't want them starting solids at daycare!

We are only on 4 bottles a day (7/11/3/630). I found that when we went to 4 bottles and slowly eliminated the overnight feeding, they started taking in more. DD would take 4-5 oz before, and is now taking 7-8oz, and DS takes 8oz consistently everytime. I was worried that the solids would interfere with their bedtime bottle (the most important one in my opinion), but we are only feeding small amounts and so far it hasn't been a problem. I wouldn't worry about an oz or two, but if they were taking significantly less at that bottle, I'd probably switch things up.

As for your concern, yep, everything runs together. We get home, catnap (thinking about dropping it), give reflux meds, eat solids, take a bath, get a bottle, go down to bed...all from 5:15-7:00! I'm actually hoping that by dropping the 3rd nap, we'll be a little more relaxed and get to bed earlier. We shall see!

Best of luck to you! If I remember correctly our twins are only a day apart! Have you checked out the Summer Babies Buddy Club yet? There's a great getting to know you thread going, so make sure you check it out!

Suzi

 

Your kidlets are 4 mo, right? You don't have to do solids at all at this point. In fact, the AAP and other major medical organizations recommend delaying solids until 6 mo. And even at 6 mo, solids are more for practice than anything.

 

Amy,

My twins are about a month older than yours (they're five months and a few days) and we haven't started solids at all yet because I have one daughter who isn't a big eater and I'm worried that she'll drink even less if we introduce real food. I had a really good talk with my pediatrician, who recommended we wait until at least six months, or even seven. Nutritionally, milk or formula are better for a baby than solids because they're more complete and have more calories per ounce.

I agree with the PPs that if you start solids early at four months, they're definately just for practice. Even at six months, there's no real need to feed your kids solid food. They get everything they need from breastmilk or formula. Of course, whatever you decide... good luck! I'm not looking forward to trying to fit it all in myself!

Trish

 

QUOTE(ahmerl @ Oct 8 2007, 08:24 PM) [snapback]441148[/snapback]
I am a little nervous about solids getting in the way of formula for my DD. Everyone seems to say that they started solids in between the last two feedings of the day. I feel like everything runs together between the last nap and bedtime...how do you have time to fit it all in?


I still feel this way every evening is like a sprint to the finish line...the crib! What was recommended to me was always doing a bottle first so that they are getting the nutrition they need first and then the "practice" solids second to add some extra calories or mess. Have fun..

Rachel