How Much Solid Food?

Hi - at about this age I would give @ 4tbsp of food, at least...My son eats that plus a bonanna mashed in it for breakfast.

I would say let her eat as much solid food as she wants. She'll let you know when she's had enough. At this age, she's ready for more food than milk! Good luck!

That doesn't seem like a lot at all. As far as rice cereal about 1/4 cup each time with a fruit & veggie .. my kids worked up to a 1/2 cup of rice cereal at each meal with fruit & veggie. You need to up her intake because she isn't getting enough at all and she is getting to the point she shouldn't be nursing that much! She will let you know when she is done.

Absolutely up the solids! 2.5 tsp is probably a tease for your baby. I would probably be doing 2 or 3 JARS of food a day and nursing in between at 7.5 months of age. Ask your doctor as well but I think I was doing 3 jars by this age.
Good luck.

absolutely...the amount on the back of the package is just a guideline, some babies eat a lot more than what is written...I fed my child until she didn't want it anymore, she would push the spoon away or simply not open her mouth anymore. Keep feeding!

Yes, you can up the solids, and not worry at all as long as you are feeding your daughter fruits ,veggies, whole grain cereals,and healthy "snacks" like cheerios,and sliced banana.She is clearly indicating her need and desire for more solid food and calories,and my guess is she will continue to nurse well,but not drive you crazy if her need to eat solid foods is satisfied. Try to trust and follow your daughter's natural instincts on this one. L. S.

Every child is different. You are right if she is nursing that often she's hungry. I would give her more food. You can eye the amount at this point. I fed my son reasonable amounts until he refused food. Do you thik she's ready for cheerios or Gerber stars at this point? A snack in between meals may help. Set meal times are tough. We all get hungry at different times. Experiment until you find what works for your child. Good Luck

I think the baby needs more - babies tend to have very clear indicators that they're done. Maybe take a day to experienment and see how much she'd want based on her reaction alone...

Good luck!

I see a lot of people say to up the solids...which is probably right since you are nursing so often. However, breastmilk or formula should still be your child's biggest source of nutrition during the first year of life. So, it is possible your child is nursing more often to build up your supply. Breastmilk is full of antibodies and other important things you just can't find in jars of babyfood.

Hi G.,
I have a 10 month old now but at 7-8 months I was feeding her about 4-4oz jars of food a day. For breakfast, about 1 1/2 hours after her bottle, she would have 1 (stage 2) fruit jar with 4 Tbsp. of cereal. The a bottle few hours later, then waited another hour for lunch. At lunch she wouldh have a jar of vegetables and a half jar of fruit. (both 4 oz jars). Then few hours later another bottle. Then for dinner a jar of chicken/veg combo. and the other half of the fruit jar. Then one more bottle before bed.
SO:
7am-Bottle
8:30-jar of fruit and 4 Tbsp. Cereal
11:00-Bottle
12:30pm-jar of veg and half jar of fruit
3:30 pm-Bottle
5:30pm-jar of chix/veg and half jar of fruit
7:30pm-Bottle

I know every child is different but wanted to give you a feel for what I did.
Also, there were times when she wouldn't eat and would only drink or vice versa. They keep you on your toes, don't they!

At that age I gave my daughter (3x a day) 3 tbs of rice cereal with 1/2 to whole jar of fruit or veggie, depending on how hungry she was.

Hi G.,

My son is almost 8 months and I can't believe the amount he eats! (My other son ate even more than this one at the same stage!) I give him at least a couple of tablespoons of infant cereal 3x per day. I also give him fruit at breakfast and vegetables and/or fruits at dinner. Lately, he seems to be nursing more also, between meals, before meals and sometimes even after meals also (Agh!). I feed him until he turns his head away from the incoming spoon and he is much more satisfied. He knows when he is full and I trust him to tell me when to stop feeding him.

Have you tried heavier solids like potatoes or rice? My son loves both mashed and sweet potatoes with a little butter.

A little about me: I am 34 and have two sons, 3 and 8 months.

oh boy yes she is definitely needing more. I remember my 2 year old when she was that age and she would eat at least 2 ice cubes of home made food per serving (approx 4-5 tablespoons). I also nursed her so she was getting bm also. Good luck!

my son was eating cereal and a fruit in the mornings, and atleast two jars at a time for his other two meals. I fed him until he didnt want anymore.

Hi. My just turned 7 month old twins, while not on "table " foods, they eat about 1/2 cup of food (at least) about 3 times a day. They go through about 5 stage 2 containers a day plus 2 Yo Baby yogurts and a good sized bowl of oatmeal.

Hi G.. My son was eating cereal and 1 jar of fruit in morning, 1 fruit & 1 vege for lunch and cereal and vege for dinner by this age and still sometimes was hungry. I woul give her a little more, she'll let you know when she has had enough..

I have a son who is 7.5 months old. He eats like a horse...2 of the "stage 2" containers of food most meals plus 24 ounces (4 6 oz bottles) during a 24 hour period. He doesn't nurse. My daughters (I have 2) both ate a bit less then he does. More bottles but less solids. I actually think they would have eaten more if I had offered it. If your little ones seems hungry, then feed her more. She'll let you know when she is done by either refusing to open her mouth or spitting out what you put in.

Hey G.,
My kids were eating real food by your daughter's age. Pancakes in tiny bites, tiny pieces of white meat chicken, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, etc...
I have 4 kids and they are all fine and thin! The oldest is 21 and the youngest is 8. Two and a half teaspoons 3X a day for a 7.5 month old is not enough. She's hungry. I know the doctors worry about the little one's digestion and all, but I know back in the day we were all fed much earlier than babies today are expected to be. Nature knows best as far as I'm concerned and your baby is telling you she's hungry. Of course you're exhausted with all that nursing. If you're not comfortable giving her people food in small amounts then have you tried the jar baby foods? She will probably love the fruits and cereals. Good luck!

First and foremost, you should speak with your Pedi about how much solid food would be an appropriate amount. I tend to think that it depends on when you started feeding your baby solids, what stage food you are giving your child, etc. We opted to wait to feed our little one until 6 months (she is now 7 months and 1 week). Our Pedi informed us that waiting until 6 months was appropriate for two primary reasons: her digestive track would be ready for solids, coupled with her being content w/formula and breast milk only until such time. We have now introduced root veggies twice a day, approximately 2 tsp. Immediately after her feeding of solids we give her 4-7 oz of formula. She seems content with the amounts. I agree with others, in that, your child will let you know when enough is enough. Our daughter pushes the spoon away or purses her lips. When she's done, she's done. Good luck!

If she's hungry... feed her! She'll tell you when she's done. There are no rules about how much or how often to feed your child- she'll know when she's hungry. Just like you; she knows when she feels hungry and when she's full. Just keep the food coming until she stops eating!
-S.

Your daughter should be able to eat three small 4-6oz jars of baby food at this point. You also may want to stop nursing as often because you don't have a chance to build up as much of a milk supply. I would talk to the pediatrician about your concerns.

My son is 8 months and the doctor recommended per day:

4-5 tbs cereal

1/2 cup veg

1/2 cup fruit

24-32 oz breastmilk or formula.

Protein when they are above 8 months is 2-4 tbs.

I feed my son 3 times a day as well. If he is extra hungry one day, I give him more vegetables because it's not like it can do any harm. He's crawling everyone so he seems to be more hungry now than ever before.

Hope this helps.

My 8 month old eats the following:
Breakfast - Rice cereal and 1 container Gerber 2nd foods Fruit, Lunch - 1 container Gerber 2nd foods Fruit and 1 container Gerber 2nd foods Vegetable, Dinner - 1 container Gerber 2nd foods Fruit and 1 container Gerber 2nd foods Meats/Dinners. he also now has cherios and finger foods fro snacks. He only has bottles about 1 every 3 hours.

This was recommended by his pediatrician... we started with Breakfast - 1 Fruit, Lunch 1 Veggie and Dinner one of each... and then move up.

Ask you Pediatrician if you want to be sure... but I think you could def. up it a little....