Feeding/First Foods

Hi M., WOuld you believe I still have the feeding chart for my daughters now 28 and 25 years old! I liked it so well I saved it in my health file. My doctor had us start with Lamb 2-3 three teaspoons at noon meal. Then if lamb is tolerated may begin to add beef, liver, gradually increase to 1/3 of a a jar. I didn't breast feed. So I started my girls on meat at 2 months! Wow! I don't think thats how it's done now. Pam Rwww.pamruth.myarbonne.com

M., it sounds like she is right on track ; ) I have a 5 mos old who eats ALMOST on that schedule, just a little less. I haven't started her w/meats yet, probably at 6 or 7 mos. But one mom mentioned the chart her dr. gave her, and mine also gave me that too. So I think you are doing a great job!! (I actually was wondering the same thing recently, b/c it seems like my daughter eats a lot more than my son ever did!)

M.
Sounds like your doing a fine job, maybe next month u want to increase, if u introduce rice *remember it binds so go easy, try prunes when u go to rice and not alot of them either.
Try calling a dietician, they are always willing to help if you are uncertain.. Don't forget if she is holding a bottle on her own, introduce that sippy soon :D Good for the teeth!

Welcome to the area, What area do u reside in ?

Good Luck
C. S.

At that age this is what my doctor recommended.
Breakfast: Fruit mixed with cereal
Lunch: Vegetables and fruit (cereal optional)
Dinner: Fruit mixed with cereal and vegetables
They then said to offer a bottle 15 minutes after eating after each meal and possibly one before bed.
I didn't give 2 vegetables either, I just gave one. And I don't think my daughter every drank 6 oz after eating, possibly only 4oz. But if your daughter is hungry let her have it. I don't think from what your saying she is getting too much. I just never gave my daughter 2 servings of vegetable at lunch just one.

I think it sounds like you are doing a great job! Babies will stop eating if they are not hungry (now if only I could learn to do that as an adult!).

M.,
My 2nd daughter ate way more than that. By 6 months she would eat two jars of food plus some formula and the doctors said it was fine. I would mix the fruit with cereal. On the other hand, I had a friend giving her child 1 tbsp cereal and 2-3 tbsp fruit and then a little formula and the doctor told her it wasn't enough, so hope that helps a little. They need the food and nourishment. I hope I helped a little, but don't forget, whenever in doubt just give a call to your pediatrician.
Hope I helped some,
J.

Basicly I agree with the other moms... if your baby will eat the food -it is about the right amoutn.. babies will not overeat.

My pediatrician said that the first year- the nutrition comes from breast milk/formula the food is just practice for eating.. He did want her to get 24-32 oz of formula a day- and the food is in additon to the formula-

Formula is a complete food - all the nutrients are in there.. so you dont want your baby to fill up on fruits and veggies and then not drink the formula. Although fruits and veggies are healthy food-they do not have a complete nutrient package.

I did not start my daughter on 3 meals a day until she was 9 month old. At 6 monhts she got cereal and fruit of veggies once a day in the evening. I think we went to 2 meals about 7 1/2 months..

My daughter was on the small side and she did not drink much milk - if she was given the choice of food or milk she would have picked food and never taken the milk. So I held off adding too much food to her diet too quickly.

If your daughter is still drinking her milk- then thefood is fine.. If she is lagging on the milk drinking slow down on the food.

Hi M.,

If you daughter is eating it all and her weight is okay, then I would not worry about it. I think it is great if she is being a good eater.

When my son was that age, I gave him the following:
Breakfast - 3 TB cereal, 1 jar fruit, 6 oz formula
Lunch - 1 jar veggie, 6 oz formula
Snack - 3 ounces water with 1 ounce juice
Dinner - 1 jar veggie, 6 oz formula
Before bed - 6 oz formula
Sometimes I would add cereal at other times, just because the food was so runny.
Now, at 9 months, he eats 1/2-1 more jar at breakfast, lunch (I added meats at lunch), and dinner if that. Now that he is crawling and moving around more and all that, he is alot less interested in eating.

I got a chart from my pediatrician that says the following:
Ages 5-6 months:
5-8 Tbs of cereal/day
1 jar fruit/day
1 jar vegie/day
1 jar meat/day
24-32 ounces/day
4 ounces water/day
Max 3 ounces juice/day

Ages 7-8 months
5-8 Tbs of cereal/day
1-2 jars fruit/day
1-2 jar vegie/day
1-2 jar meat/day
20-24 ounces/day
4 ounces water/day
Max 3 ounces juice/day

Based on all this, I think it sounds like you are right on track. Keep in mind that the size of the jar increases when you go from 1st to 2nd to 3rd foods.

M. - That sounds about what we did with our daugther. Our pediatrician actually had a little paper for us that gave suggested guidlines as to how much to feed for each meal, but his thing was to up it as needed. If she still acted hungry after the cereal and bottle at breakfast, go ahead and give her some more. On the flip side, don't freak if she doesn't eat as much the next day.

If you are concerned with how much she is eating, talk to your daughter's doctor the next time you are in. NOTHING is too trivial to ask them when it comes to your baby and you'll feel better.

Through my experience with my three kids, let them eat until they're full. It sounds like she has a healthy appetite, that's great. She might be having a growth spurt, too. But as always, you can ask the pediatrician. Welcome to the area!

Hi. My daughter is 8 months and I would say that you are doing pretty well but it does seem like a bit much. First, she should really not have 3 meals until about 9 months or so, closer to one year really; and definitely don't start any meat (or dairy) until one year. This is per the APA. Also, I am surpised that she actually has room for the 6 oz bottle after eating......I started with cereal at 5 months 1 week and then added veggies at about 6 months or so. she did this for dinner for about 3-4 weeks then I started like a brunch. For both meals she gets 2-3 tablespoons of cereal (single grain oatmeal for breakfast and either rice or barley for dinner) and a 1st foods jar of fruit for breakfast and veggies for dinner. Rather than start with meats there are some variations on the fruits and veggies in the 2nd foods selection that you could try, but beware some of the ingredents. Make sure to continue to steer clear of dairy and meats, and watch some of the fruits....I am actually in need of double checking whats appropriate myself. You can look online at one of the formula websites like Similac or Isomil or check a book like what to expect the first year, or call her pediatrician. Again, I think that is kind of a lot with the 6 oz bottle so I would cut that down to maybe 3 oz, and then give her more after an hour or so if she gets hungry...you just don't want her to get soooo full, and portion sizes are important at a young age too. Just imagine how uncomfortable it is when you overeat....however enjoyable it may be. I hope this helped. Good luck.

Hi M.
Sounds to me that you have a good healthy eater on your hands. In my opinion, the best way to tell if your little one is getting enough to eat , is to watch their body language. Paying close attention to the way your daughter is acting will let you know if she is still hungry or has had enough. Let her be the judge. Babies have such little tiny stomaches. When she turns her head away from the spoon or stops making eye contact, is a good indication that she is full. The amount of formula that she is taking in is right in the normal range. Right now the formula is the most important part of her diet, that is where all of her nutrition is coming from. Your doing a great job introducing foods. Remember to try 1 new food at a time, to make sure that there is not an allergic reaction. A reaction will usually show up within 3 days or so. Take care Heidi

Hi,
Drew, my second son eats alot too, he is 5 months...I have spoke to my pedi and she says as long as he gets 24 oz of formula he can eat whatever he wants, babies usually will tell you when they're full.
Good luck!

both my kids at 6 1/2 months were on stage 2 baby food.they ate 1 jar veggie and 1/2 to 1 jar of fruit. plus we started introducing table food.(crackers,puffs, cheerios,nutra grain bars...) and they would have water in a sippy cup with meals. 1 -2 hours later 4-6 oz formula. our doctor was fine with this. if concern ,give them a call. but i think you are fine!

No that is not to much at all! THats just about what my daughter ate at that age, but also it can depend on how much they can actually eat at the time! So if your baby's doimg good with what your feeding him or her than stick with it! And of course the bigger they get the more the'll eat too!And also remember that when the're going the growth spurts they tend to eat more and than less, on and off.

Hi. I say if she's eating it you're doing fine. Babies don't tend to over eat, it's something we learn as we grow older. If she ever fights eating, that's your cue to stop. I had a great book called "feeding your Baby" a practical handbook. It's by Sara Lewis. It is a great book. It gives you a month by month break down on when to start different types of food so that way if you want to start chopping up table food you know what is all right to give. I got bored with jar baby food so I found it very helpful. Good Luck!

I don't think you're feeding your daughter to much. She will let you know when she's not hungry anymore. Be happy she's eating. Also I don't think I'd introduce meats yet without checking with your doctor since she's only 6 months old.

As long as you stick with healthy foods, she can never eat too much! I made my kids food and never used jars like gerber. They are both in the top 1 percent of height and weight. My son just turned 3 and is the size of a 4 and half year old. My daughter just turned 4 and is the size of a 5 and half year old! Lots of fruit and veggies and she'll be fine. :)

you are not overfeeding your baby. my son is 7 months and eats pretty much the same but he eats more like 4-5 tablespoons of cereal with half a jar of fruit and a 6oz. bottle of breast milk for breakfast, then lunch a jar of veggies and a jar of meat, 8oz. bottle of breast milk, and if he is still hungry, a half jar of friut. then dinner is the same as breakfast. babies do not understand over-eating. they will stop or push away the sppon when they are full. at this age their appetite flectuates so much, if they are having a growth spurt, they will naturally eat more. so dont be hard on yourself, if your baby wants more, then she needs more. have fun with your baby! they grow up fast.

Hi M. -

I have a 7 1/2 month old son, and we feed him almost the exact same menu as you feed your daughter. Our pediatrician said this quantity of food was fine, but that there would be periods of time when he would eat more or less (during growth spurts or when he's feeling under the weather) as well. I think you're on the right track!

E.

I think you are doing just fine, my 5 1/2 month old daughter is in the process of starting foods as well and as every kid is different, you will know if she is doing good on it or not, my first kid loved food she ate a ton of it verses her formula now this one she is a formula nut, it took 2 weeks for basically prying her mouth open to eat the food but now she is doing it great, i give her a 7 oz bottle in the morning, then at 11:30 she eats between 2-4 ozs of jar oatmeal ceral, then at 2:30 another 7oz bottle, at 5 she has a 2-4 oz jar of a veggie and then a 7oz bottle at 7:30 for bed so i wouldnt worry, sounds like you know what your doing -- good luck