How many meals and how many times a day for a BF baby?

Shaulah - posted on 11/13/2009

He started solids at 4 and a half months from drs order! i also did not give him meat the first time!!! come on ladies i am not that dumb!!!
he started the normal way drs recommend for starting solids!
but thank u for all the input!

Sylwia - posted on 11/12/2009

every baby is diffrent,and when the package will say from 8 months or from 12 it is just a recommendation for first time moms witch are not sure or dont have the experiance.

why would a baby just start eat meat from 18+ when u can buy ready to eat jars with meat.a baby can eat everything what he likes,can chew and is healthy for him.100 years ago people feed their kids everything and they lived and were healthy.i dont know why people make always a drama about that.

Naomi - posted on 11/12/2009

Quoting April:

One of my son's pediatrician's told me to give him formula because he was dehyrated at 3 days old and my milk supply had just come in, so not all pedi's are correct or up to date on their info. What I was saying about not having to start with a cereal is not a matter of opinion either, it's fact... As is what I said about meat from the research that I have done.

Actually, meat as a first food is now recommended by large groups of doctors and pediatricians, such as the World Health Organization, and Pediatric societies in the UK and Canada among others. (i first heard of it actually from info the hospital/government sent on starting solids - coupled with that nutrition pyramid thing)  These are not just one or two physicians who may not be up to date, it's current. Iron from meat is much better absorbed than the iron in cereals, I've been doing a lot of research to prepare for starting my son on exploring solids soon and I've never read anything about problems with meat digestion. 

Interesting thought though, about the 'carb craze' and starting cereals. something to think about. I had planned to start with a little rice cereal at the beginning, just cus I can mix it with my breastmilk for a familiar taste, to check if he's still spitting the food out with his tongue or not.

Shaulah, I have found all the timing and that very confusing too!! every body seems to think something different! one book I really enjoyed is Baby Bites by Bridget Swinney, I found it the most comprehensive and very helpful. i hear lots about self feeding hear on this forum, but in my community, with the people i interact with daily, I've never heard of it. I've got both grandmothers wondering why I haven't started yet (he's only 5 months old!) pretty tough to live out when you're the only one.. besides, I confess to be really looking forward to having nursing times slack up a bit (currently we are at every 2 hours) 

anyways, good luck! let us know if you gain any new insights!

Kirsty - posted on 11/12/2009

I am not sure if any of the following info helps or not but I have a 6 month old who is on solids and breast milk. She has roughly 3 distinct solid meals of 2 courses (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and has milk usually an hour before each meal...roughly every 4 hours so usually 4 during the day and whenever she wakes overnight.

I have started her on meat, and she isnt having any issues with it. I usually cook it and then puree it with her vegies, as she currently has no teeth and unable to chew it.

I hope I have helped and that I havent confused you further either

April - posted on 11/12/2009

One of my son's pediatrician's told me to give him formula because he was dehyrated at 3 days old and my milk supply had just come in, so not all pedi's are correct or up to date on their info. What I was saying about not having to start with a cereal is not a matter of opinion either, it's fact... As is what I said about meat from the research that I have done.

Krystal - posted on 11/12/2009

Quoting April:

Quoting Stephanie:

my daughter is 6months old and i only breastfeed no formula... u are supposed to start on cereal NOT MEAT your baby shouldnt get meat yet.... your supposed to breastfeed on demand that means when ever the little booger wants .... i feed my daughter almost every 2/3 hrs on milk... 2 servings of cereal one at night and one at breaskfast... with a little bit of juicejust so she wont get constipated..juice has no nutritional value at this age.... YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO START WITH CEREAL.... INTRO ALL CEREALS... THEN VEGGIES...FRUIT... ALL SEPERATE SO YOU CAN TELL WHAT YOUR BABY IS ALERGIC... seriously talk to your dr... when did you start him on solids?

You absolutely do NOT have to start with cereal -- It has no nutritional value to it.  They also say starting on cereal is where we get our carb craze from.  Plus, with cereal it really takes the child's ability to feed themself away.  It also doesn't matter if you start fruits or veggies first -- some people think starting veggies first will help develop the kids palate, but bf'ed babies have a great palate because they get to taste everything mom eats.  I would never recommend meats for a child under the age of 18 months. The gut doesn't have the proper enzymes until around 18+ months to even break that stuff down. 

I saw my paed on wednesday and she actually tole me to start giving my son more meat to increase his protein. He is 8mths old. He has vegies and fruit and rice puffs. He loves sucking on a chunk of meat and is a great self feeder. He was started on solids at 4mths. I think people need to keep their opinions to themselves and just answer the question asked without it getting personal as some of the responses are quite offensive.

April - posted on 11/12/2009

i've heard that offering solids before the age of 10 to 12 months is really just "practice" and that breast milk or formula is most important until the age of 1. so really, you don't have to give him anything but milk for a whole year of his life. :) and i agree with lisa too..she always has good advice!!

KC - posted on 11/12/2009

Lisa Moreau had a beautiful message with a lot of support. I read all your responses and I have nothing else to say to you except slow down and listen to yourself. you have the boob and he knows what he wants. don't worry he is only six months. my girls never really started eating until they were 10 months....just nursing

Amy - posted on 11/12/2009

I give my 6 1/2 month old cereal and fruit in the morning and fruit, vegetables and cereal at dinner. He has about 2 ounces at each feeding and 1/4 cup of cereal. He nurses between 4-6 times a day. He is not as interested in nursing so I am thinking about cutting back his portions a little.

April - posted on 11/12/2009

Quoting Stephanie:

my daughter is 6months old and i only breastfeed no formula... u are supposed to start on cereal NOT MEAT your baby shouldnt get meat yet.... your supposed to breastfeed on demand that means when ever the little booger wants .... i feed my daughter almost every 2/3 hrs on milk... 2 servings of cereal one at night and one at breaskfast... with a little bit of juicejust so she wont get constipated..juice has no nutritional value at this age.... YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO START WITH CEREAL.... INTRO ALL CEREALS... THEN VEGGIES...FRUIT... ALL SEPERATE SO YOU CAN TELL WHAT YOUR BABY IS ALERGIC... seriously talk to your dr... when did you start him on solids?

You absolutely do NOT have to start with cereal -- It has no nutritional value to it.  They also say starting on cereal is where we get our carb craze from.  Plus, with cereal it really takes the child's ability to feed themself away.  It also doesn't matter if you start fruits or veggies first -- some people think starting veggies first will help develop the kids palate, but bf'ed babies have a great palate because they get to taste everything mom eats.  I would never recommend meats for a child under the age of 18 months. The gut doesn't have the proper enzymes until around 18+ months to even break that stuff down. 

Minnie - posted on 11/12/2009

Quoting Stephanie:

my daughter is 6months old and i only breastfeed no formula... u are supposed to start on cereal NOT MEAT your baby shouldnt get meat yet.... your supposed to breastfeed on demand that means when ever the little booger wants .... i feed my daughter almost every 2/3 hrs on milk... 2 servings of cereal one at night and one at breaskfast... with a little bit of juicejust so she wont get constipated..juice has no nutritional value at this age.... YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO START WITH CEREAL.... INTRO ALL CEREALS... THEN VEGGIES...FRUIT... ALL SEPERATE SO YOU CAN TELL WHAT YOUR BABY IS ALERGIC... seriously talk to your dr... when did you start him on solids?

Actually, there is no reason to start with any particular food at all.  It's unfounded that cereal needs to be first (and is actually nutritionally deficient).  Meat is an excellent first food, as it is a good bioavailable source of iron.  All other solids for the first 12 months or so are truly unecessary.

This is why it's just best to wait until baby can feed himself.  He's the best gauge as to what he needs.

Katy - posted on 11/12/2009

Breast milk is still the most important thing your baby is getting at this age.. Still nurse every 3-4 hours. (or however often you were nursing before you started solids.) Offer him solids after he nurses one or two times a day. I personally don't think it matters what foods you are giving him.. I also don't think you asked anyones views on what you are feeding him. Good luck mama!

Melody - posted on 11/12/2009

You know, I found that starting solid foods was THE MOST CONFUSING THING about having a child. LOL. But I have come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter all that much. I mean, the food doesn't matter. As far as the breastfeeding, it should be the main source of nourishment for the whole first year, so just keep nursing whenever he wants. The food is for experimentation. What I did is whenever we ate, if the baby was awake I would give him some food. I spoon-fed a little but mostly I just let him try and eat small pieces of whatever we were eating, within reason, and I did make sure not to introduce too many different things at once, and held off on certain allergens. But beyond that, it is really not a big deal. Just continue to nurse on demand, and feed him whatever! Some people say to start meat first, some rice cereal, some vegetables, etc. etc. etc. I really, honestly, do not think it matters. HTH.

Stephanie - posted on 11/12/2009

my daughter is 6months old and i only breastfeed no formula... u are supposed to start on cereal NOT MEAT your baby shouldnt get meat yet.... your supposed to breastfeed on demand that means when ever the little booger wants .... i feed my daughter almost every 2/3 hrs on milk... 2 servings of cereal one at night and one at breaskfast... with a little bit of juicejust so she wont get constipated..juice has no nutritional value at this age.... YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO START WITH CEREAL.... INTRO ALL CEREALS... THEN VEGGIES...FRUIT... ALL SEPERATE SO YOU CAN TELL WHAT YOUR BABY IS ALERGIC... seriously talk to your dr... when did you start him on solids?

Suset - posted on 11/12/2009

Breastfeed him as often as you have been then choose two feedings to cut a little short then feed him solids afterwards. He is still very young so breastmilk should be his main source of nutrition. If he starts wanting more solids, then you may want to substitute one or two meals with solids, but no more than that. Either way he should be breastfeeding as often during the day as he did before solids. If you still feel confused ask his pediatritian, he should be able to guide you more on this subject.

Minnie - posted on 11/12/2009

You nurse him on demand. You can offer him soft pieces of whatever you're having, let him self-feed (he should be able to pick up food and feed himself) and then you give him unrestricted access to your breast. This may be a couple of times an hour for just a few minutes each, or longer, but at longer intervals. Either way- it's up to your baby. Solids should not take place of nursing sessions.