Introducing juices to 4 months old baby

Amy - posted on 07/22/2009

Be careful with apple juice because of its acidity.

Katie - posted on 07/22/2009

You really should be sticking with breastmilk until baby is 6 months. If you must introduce other food, rice cereal is the safest thing to start with before 6 months, but that will only account for a small amount of your baby's caloric needs. Introducing foods too early can encourage the development of allergies. If you need to stop breastfeeding, then you are going to have to give your baby formula until she is a year old- she needs the nutrition and can't get everything she needs from juices.

Olivia - posted on 07/21/2009

the dr.s recommend that the fruits and veggies are after six months but cereal is okay and the dr. just said if u introduce the fruits and veggies just one at a time, i started my first daughter on jar foods at four months and shes over 2 years old now and has no food allergies just watch for symptoms but if your baby is hungry then feed him!

Paige - posted on 07/21/2009

i think its processed foods that cause all these allergies we hear about. if your making your own baby food from fresh produce i dont think there will be any issues.

Tessa - posted on 07/20/2009

I wouldnt because introducing food before six months is what generally makes children have alergies when they are older. My daughter is 9months and the only drinks she has is breast milk and formula when I am at work. She has had a couple of drinks of apple juice as a treat but she didnt finish them!

Paige - posted on 07/20/2009

4-6months is when they suggest it. is your baby showing signs of being ready, eg opening their mouth when things go near it and also appears to be doing the chewing reflex. It wont hurt to try. avoid orange juice though, it burns their bottoms!

Emma - posted on 07/20/2009

try baby led weaning, you can start from 4 months because the baby decides if they want to swollow it or not.

i read about early weaning can higher the risk of illness's, i feel this is why my son has severe ezema! i waited untill 6 months to wean with my daughter and found she eats better and her health is fine!

Olivia - posted on 07/20/2009

i did with both my daughters and they are fine my first i didnt offer juice but my second is four months and i just water down juice and i mix cereal with it as well and she seems to do great i would just say use some prune apple juice from gerber cuz solids can bind the babies up a little good luck

Celia - posted on 07/19/2009

My 4 month old loves juice!!Just make sure 100% Juice,and water it down a little because it can cause diahrea if given to much at a time! Maybe a little once a day.

Patricia - posted on 07/18/2009

no. I offered water when she was 6 months not before. The only juice I give my now 10 month is pedialyte, apple juice (Gerber), or water.

Samantha - posted on 07/18/2009

i started my daughter hayden with juice at 4 months. i bought the baby heinz fruit juice and apple juice.. but its the same as jsut watering it down. shes njow 7 months and still drinks that and breastmilk and now sometimes whole milk from her sippy cup. she'll be fine. just watch out for signs of an alergic reaction where shes never has this before. and watr it down.

Heather - posted on 07/18/2009

my baby is now 19 months an no longer breastfed i'm so sad about that as i really loved feedin her but i ran out of milk so no choice really. she has suffered from mild constipation from birth an i hated giving her the medicine so i used to make her freshly squeezed orange juice and boiling water, cool it down and then spoon feed it to her i think it also helped with her learning to take spoonfeeds to as she is thriving and healthy. my health visitor recommended it... hope this helps

Sarah - posted on 07/17/2009

The American Acadamy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be soley breast or formula fed until they are 6 months of age. I am not sure why everyone is so eager to give their babies juice or solids. If you decide to introduce juice or solids they should never be used as a replacement for breast milk or formula. Their are very importmant reasons why infants need their milk to grow and thrive. I personally don't think giving juice before 6 months is a good idea. You wouldn't want them to get all that sugar and they don't need it nutritionally. If you want to replace the breast milk with anything, replace with formula not juice.

Nicole - posted on 07/16/2009

Really watch the teeth for cavities once the teeth come in if you're doing juice. I swear that apple juice, even watered down, is what gave my son 4 cavities. Once we cut out the juice, he's not had any since.

Holly - posted on 07/16/2009

I don't see the need for juice, just empty calories at this point. Juices are very sugary. Why don't you try mashed bananas or avocado instead? Personally, I would just wait on juice until later. Hope this helps, just my two cents.

Amber - posted on 07/12/2009

Quoting Chelsea:

Gemma,

I am tired of your excuses. You contadict yourself at every turn. In one post you stated that you gave her water to keep her from breastfeeding so often than in the next you stated that you gave her water to get her used to drinking with meals. First of all you are wrong flat our wrong. What you are doing is damaging to your daughter and when she she begins showing signs of malnutrition it will be too late. Watch for brittle hair and behavioral problems later on. Feeding an infant water instead of breastmilk is wrong, end of story.

In another post you stated that she nursed once a day and then you changed your story and said 3 times a night. SHE NEEDS TO NURSE DURING THE DAY AND AT NIGHT IF SHE WAKES UP. SHE DOES NOT NEED WATER AND IT'S DAMAGING TO GIVE HER WATER INSTEAD OF BREASTMILK. IF YOU WANT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER BREASTFEED HER BEFORE SHE EATS AND STOP GIVING HER WATER AND JUICE. I hope you hear this message loud and clear. I have attempted to give you this information throughout this discussion but you continue to make excuses, you need to take responsibility for what you are doing and change it.

LMAO!  I just wanna say that you are completely right about this Gemma situation! But i think she's giving you a run for your money (or advice in this case).  All that she has said is giving me VERY HIGH anxiety!!!!!!!!  lol.  I love how you care about this baby tho, i would of sooo gave up with this mom a long time ago!!

Tanya - posted on 07/11/2009

My son was very constipated at 3 1/2 months I gave him prune juice first and then apple or pear. It helped alot.

Lisa - posted on 07/11/2009

I know I read somewhere that juice should not be introduced until after 8 months. Giving juice and food to a baby younger than 6 months is not recommended because of the risk of developing food allergies later in life. Also, at that age it takes the place of the formula or breast milk, which they say is the only food they need at that age. I, of course, can't seem to locate where I read this because I did give my daughter juice at around 5 months. Then I read that and stopped the juice.

" "juice abuse" is a common mistake in infant feeding. Not only do babies not need more than three ounces (a day), but juice often lessens their appetite for milk. Overdependence on juice can lead to diarrhea and tooth decay, Juices are probably best offered from a cup. Most babies are ready to begin learning how to drink from a cup by the time they are seven or eight months."
taken from "The Nursing Mother's Companion" by Kathleen Huggins, R.N., M.S.

Rebecca - posted on 07/11/2009

Breastfed babies do not need extras like fruit or vegetable juices before 6 months of age. The extra sugars and calories will not do your child any good, only harm. At 6 months you can introduce these in sippy cups 2oz a day. Stick with one kind of juice per week incase of allergies.

Teresa - posted on 06/23/2009

Quoting Lindsay:

Teresa - what ages did they start finger foods as opposed to like, cereal and baby foods? And what did they eat when they started finger foods?

That was 7 years ago, so I really don't remember.  I just remember what age they started eating baby food since I called the doc when they were begging to eat and grabbing our food, but they weren't 4 months old yet. 

Kelli - posted on 06/23/2009

I feel the same way-I'm so over her.

Kelli - posted on 06/23/2009

After reading your posts it seems like you don't want anyone's help. Why are you even posting in this group. This is a breastfeeding group and you are saying that you are not breastfeeding, you are feeding solids and water. What is your purpose in this group?

Lindsay - posted on 06/23/2009

Teresa - what ages did they start finger foods as opposed to like, cereal and baby foods? And what did they eat when they started finger foods?

Minnie - posted on 06/23/2009

Has anyone considered that there are trolls here? Just a thought...considering she can't keep a story straight.

Lindsay, I think that all the moms here who are very concerned about Gemma's daughter would be happy at least if she was feeding her infant formula instead of the amount of solids she's getting. This isn't even an issue of early solids feeding, but almost solely solids feeding.

Teresa - posted on 06/23/2009

I'm definitely not making negative comments about starting solids early. My girls started solids at 3.5 months. They were ready and they LOVED it. My son wanted to start around 4-5 months, but he wasn't ready cuz he didn't have a clue what to do w/ the food til 6-7 months. :)

Lindsay - posted on 06/23/2009

Oh and also, this is kind of relevant and kind of not, but it's in reference to starting solids too early and my experience with this topic with my son. My son's doctor said that they usually don't start until 4 months, and preferably not until 6. However, it can be situational as well. Again, my son has some digestive issues. They started him on rice cereal twice a day at almost 4 months (it was actually like a week before his 4 month birthday) to help hold the formula down because he spits up horrendously. It does help somewhat, however, I'm in total agreement that it should NOT be the main source of nutrition. Like I said, we only give it twice a day. Also, I wouldn't start it early unless it's necessary. In our case it was, and he has put on better weight since then. My son also has food allergies so we have to be careful with what we give him, especially since it is a little earlier for him, which is another concern with starting solids/juices too early or too often.

Lindsay - posted on 06/23/2009

Haha. Yeah, I know what you mean. And don't worry, it wasn't in reference to anything you said. And it doesn't matter who said it, but it was said that it's unacceptable to not be breastfeeding at certain ages, etc. and I just want everyone to know that not everyone CAN breast feed. I loved it when I did it, and I'm a firm believer in it, which is why it makes me even more mad when people talk down to those who aren't doing it. That is all! :) Have a great day everyone

Teresa - posted on 06/23/2009

Quoting Lindsay:

It's funny how some people act like if you don't breast feed, your child is doomed. This is simply just not true. I agree that it does have MANY benefits, but, in my son's case, he couldn't breast feed. He was exclusively breast fed for three months, and although his doctor is still unsure why, my son could NOT properly digest breast milk and wasn't gaining as much weight, etc. He has been on formula now for two months and his weight and percentiles have jumped so much and he is doing so much better. Also, 20 years ago, formula was the trend and most people were feeding their children that way. All of my siblings and cousins, as well as myself, were formula fed and we are all just fine!

I know this is a breastfeeding forum, and I'm in it because I was breastfeeding at first, but my gosh people, don't make people feel bad for NOT breast feeding. It's a personal choice. I just felt like I should bring this up because I saw some posts saying that not breastfeeding at certain ages in unacceptable, etc.

If this is in any way a response to our comments to Gemma, it isn't because she isn't breastfeeding her enough.  It's because she mentioned (on a post on another board as well) that her 5 month old baby only gets milk at night.  While I do believe that breast milk is best (I'd better since my 15month old nurses more than twice as often as that 5 month old) I wouldn't care if Gemma was feeding her baby formula.  I just wish she were feeding her a proper diet for an infant.  Who knows what she is really feeding her though since the story changes every time it is questioned. 

Lindsay - posted on 06/23/2009

It's funny how some people act like if you don't breast feed, your child is doomed. This is simply just not true. I agree that it does have MANY benefits, but, in my son's case, he couldn't breast feed. He was exclusively breast fed for three months, and although his doctor is still unsure why, my son could NOT properly digest breast milk and wasn't gaining as much weight, etc. He has been on formula now for two months and his weight and percentiles have jumped so much and he is doing so much better. Also, 20 years ago, formula was the trend and most people were feeding their children that way. All of my siblings and cousins, as well as myself, were formula fed and we are all just fine!



I know this is a breastfeeding forum, and I'm in it because I was breastfeeding at first, but my gosh people, don't make people feel bad for NOT breast feeding. It's a personal choice. I just felt like I should bring this up because I saw some posts saying that not breastfeeding at certain ages in unacceptable, etc.

Chelsea - posted on 06/23/2009

Gemma,

Your story is completely different now that you have been challenged. I hope that your daughter is being offered the breast before each meal and is not being given the water and juice. We will never know because you flip flop over and over again on this issue. 90% of mothers and 99% percent of health care providers know you are wrong for both feeding her this many meals and snack and giving her water and juice. In short you are wrong and no one knows how this is effecting your daughter because she has not had the tests done to determine her nutrition levels. I am done with this conversation Gemma. I hope for your daughters sake that you wake up and grow up and either give her formula or stop treating breast-feeding as a chore.

Gemma - posted on 06/23/2009

they told me to start giving her rice early at 4 month they said it shouldnt harm her i was doing as i was told as her eating for like a hour the within half hour wanting more was getting to much and it isnt my fault she doesnt want her milk it is offered before she has a usual nap or as she used to do when she was a baby after she had her bum changed she would want milk she refuses her feed and turns her head away i cant force her to eat if she cries and wants fed extra i feed her but i cant force her to take it even after tryin expressing and giving her in her cup instead of water she will throw it away

Lucy - posted on 06/23/2009

No, in England they advise no solids before 6months! Our support for breastfeeding is pretty rubbish but they still say wait until 6months before introducing solids!

Jennifer - posted on 06/23/2009

Hi Chelsea, I've been checking back in on this feed everyday to see what everyone is saying. I completely agree with you 100%. I attended La Leche meetings before I gave birth to my son and learned SO much! But, I think Gemma is from England and their advice for babies is a little different than ours in the states. I am in a bf'ing support group here in Italy with an English woman and she has said before that in England they do advise to start solids at 3 months. I'm not exactly sure about weaning an how often a baby should be nursing (in England). I think this is a case of a diffence in culture. We can't knock her for that if that's what her health officials are telling her.

Good luck with becoming a La Leche leader, you definately know your stuff!

Lucy - posted on 06/23/2009

I've just reread my post and i meant to say that we see health visitors unlike people in the US who see doctors and breastfeeding professionals, not that people in the UK see breastfeeding professionals!

Amanda - posted on 06/23/2009

I would like to give you a real example of breastfeeding diet for the day for an 11 1/2 month old.

My daugther woke up at 7:30 (normally its 9 am), she breastfeed then.

8:30am she had breakfast, kiwi, avacodo (spelling), and some cereal.

10am a bit of my sandwich and breastfeeding.

12pm she will have pasta, apple, and a bit of mango ALONG with breastmilk.

3pm she will have a snack, and again breastmilk before her nap.

5-6pm Will be dinner (whatever we are eatting) PLUS breastmilk.

8pm another feeding if she isnt busy playing with her siblings.

9-10pm her before bed feeding.

3 am One last feeding for the day.

And we start all over again next 9 am. Now this is for a typical day, some days she will feed less cause shes busy learning, and other days she will feed more cause she isnt feeling well, teeth coming in, or growth spurt. This is the feeding for a 11 1/2 month old, a 5 1/2 month old should be breastfeeding more times a day, every 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

I dont think any mother has an issue about the soild food you are feeding your daughter, its the lack of breastfeeding that is upsetting mothers. Breastmilk/Forumal are very important for many reasons, growth, brain developement (such an important one) and bones. The fat given in formula and breastmilk, is extremely important for your childs brain growth, you could be setting your child up for some major failures in life cause if her infant diet. There are so many studies out there that prove proper diet helps a childs IQ,

Lucy - posted on 06/23/2009

Gemma, unlike many of the mothers on here I am also living in England and see the health visitors unlike the breastfeeding professionals people in the UK are fortunate enough to see. HOWEVER what they are saying is true, honestly your health visitor is talking CRAP!!!!!!



You mention in one of your posts that in the UK it's only advised to BF for 6months, this is not the case, I have always been advised to BF for at least a year but have always been informed of the health benefits for both mum and baby up to and beyond 2years of age!



You are clearly not going to listen to the advice of mums on here who are only giving you this information to help your daughter but seriousy I would definately try to see a different health visitor!

Minnie - posted on 06/23/2009

Look, if she gives bad advice, it's up to other mothers to correct that. If you were to say "I smoked during pregnancy, and my baby is perfectly fine, so you should continue it," to someone who asked "I want to know what other mothers did about smoking during pregnancy," it is the right thing for other mothers to call out advice that can HARM an infant.

Laura - posted on 06/23/2009

Gemma is one of my good friends and she's a fab mother!! Her daugher is a very happy and healthy little girl. She's growing and gaining weight as she should be. Gemma has sought advice from very highly trained proffessionals who know her child. I know many mothers who have had to add food to their childs diet as the breastmilk isnt satisfying them enough.



Gemma is an excellent mother and her daughter is a very happy and healthy little girl!



I think you should all leave her alone and let her and her wonderful daughter get on with her life!

Gemma - posted on 06/23/2009

ok im clearing this up and not speaking again as my healthvistors there is more then one just depends whos there when i go says theres nothing wrong with the way i do this





she has milk at 5 am for about a hour and a half


she then has rice mixed with breastmilk at half 8 with a glass of whater in her cup


she sometimes has a feed during now and dinner time but not that often as she usually has a nap while we go for a walk


she then has babana cereal or something along that line for luch at half 12 with her cup again


she will usually want fed at 5 and feeds for a hour of mebut not every day


she then has veg and fruit for tea pureed up at half 6


then after her bath at about 8 i feed until about half 10


shell wake about 2am and ill feed her for a hour then aswel





these times are estimates


and just to say her 1 cup doesnt get filled threw out the day its filled on a morning and shes just offered the same cup of water




and may i add i only said i fed her 3 times a day i never mentioned during the night


my healthvisitors doesnt see anything wrong with this especially the breastfeeding one i saw yesterday so now you have her full routine you can say what u like if its a fair point





she does also get milk feeds on warm days inbtween if shes too hot





and i only started giving her water after she started on her rice

Sarah - posted on 06/22/2009

Please don't give your baby juice, they really don't need it and it isn't very healthy for their development. It provides a lot of empty calories for them and also allows sugar to pool in their mouth and rot their baby teeth. It really isn't recommended.

Sherry - posted on 06/22/2009

I really hope that Gemma is listening to the advise you all are giving her...this is a sad situation! My daughter is also 5 months old, she has rice cereal 3 times a day and still nurses every 2 or 2.5 hours! The idea that any breast feeding expert or Dr. would advise anyone to give an infant cereal or water before milk to basically make it easier on the mom is crazy! Gemma needs to put her baby's health and well being before herself. If the time it takes to nurse and nurture her child is too much for her she should switch to formula for the majority of the feedings and just give the breast when it's convient for her. Sad.

Natasha - posted on 06/22/2009

Quoting Gemma:

i do listen but she been like this for ages she does get what she need no i gave her water after she started on cereal as a drink to get her into the habit of food and drink she started on cereal to ease the feeding load of me and fil her up more if im such a bad parent as u are making out why isnt she in hospital with problems? if there was any concern id be visited daily to check her but they obviously have no concern i no a few people who had the same situation and there children are fine

this situation is stressing me out!!!!! i dont know who the heck your doctor is gemma but i advise you to find a new one and fast!!!!

Natasha - posted on 06/22/2009

Quoting Gemma:

i do listen but she been like this for ages she does get what she need no i gave her water after she started on cereal as a drink to get her into the habit of food and drink she started on cereal to ease the feeding load of me and fil her up more if im such a bad parent as u are making out why isnt she in hospital with problems? if there was any concern id be visited daily to check her but they obviously have no concern i no a few people who had the same situation and there children are fine

this situation is stressing me out!!!!! i dont know who the heck your doctor is gemma but i advise you to find a new one and fast!!!!

Amanda - posted on 06/22/2009

3 feeds a day is NOT enough!!!!!!! It saddens me to see you say you only feed your daughter milk 3 times a day,my daugther at 11 1/2 months still feeds many times a day and once a night. There are many medical issues when you do not get enough calcium.



-brittle bones

-lack of fat for brain development

-proper muscle control

-nervous system also needs calcium to work correctly.



These are all things a health professional can not see just from a simple visit. Also lets not forget all the other important vitamins Chelsea has already pointed out. If you are not willing to feed your child more breastmilk through out the day I beg you put her also on formula!

Chelsea - posted on 06/22/2009

Gemma,

I am tired of your excuses. You contadict yourself at every turn. In one post you stated that you gave her water to keep her from breastfeeding so often than in the next you stated that you gave her water to get her used to drinking with meals. First of all you are wrong flat our wrong. What you are doing is damaging to your daughter and when she she begins showing signs of malnutrition it will be too late. Watch for brittle hair and behavioral problems later on. Feeding an infant water instead of breastmilk is wrong, end of story.

In another post you stated that she nursed once a day and then you changed your story and said 3 times a night. SHE NEEDS TO NURSE DURING THE DAY AND AT NIGHT IF SHE WAKES UP. SHE DOES NOT NEED WATER AND IT'S DAMAGING TO GIVE HER WATER INSTEAD OF BREASTMILK. IF YOU WANT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER BREASTFEED HER BEFORE SHE EATS AND STOP GIVING HER WATER AND JUICE. I hope you hear this message loud and clear. I have attempted to give you this information throughout this discussion but you continue to make excuses, you need to take responsibility for what you are doing and change it.

Teresa - posted on 06/22/2009

Quoting Gemma:

i do listen but she been like this for ages she does get what she need no i gave her water after she started on cereal as a drink to get her into the habit of food and drink she started on cereal to ease the feeding load of me and fil her up more if im such a bad parent as u are making out why isnt she in hospital with problems? if there was any concern id be visited daily to check her but they obviously have no concern i no a few people who had the same situation and there children are fine

She's been like this for ages?  She's only 5 months old.  Is she your first?  I don't think it's so much trying to say you are a bad parent as simple concern for your child.  Obviously your doctor doesn't see any problems, so maybe there isn't any.  It's just very concerning to me since every doctor I have ever met and every study I have ever read all say that breastmilk/formula should be the main source of nutrition for every child under a year.

I myself started my girl on solids at 3.5 months (7 years ago), but they were still breastfed 5-6 times every 24 hour period until after they were a year.  You initially started out by saying that you only nurse your baby once a day and the rest of her nutrition comes from food, water, and juice.  That was very concerning to me.  Especially when I hear about babies who were given water before they were 6 months old DYING from water intoxication.

Gemma - posted on 06/22/2009

i do listen but she been like this for ages she does get what she need no i gave her water after she started on cereal as a drink to get her into the habit of food and drink she started on cereal to ease the feeding load of me and fil her up more if im such a bad parent as u are making out why isnt she in hospital with problems? if there was any concern id be visited daily to check her but they obviously have no concern i no a few people who had the same situation and there children are fine

Teresa - posted on 06/22/2009

Quoting Gemma:

i get my information of my local breast feeding health visitor and in england the say breast feed until 6 months but yet at 3 month onwards i was sittin feeding for a hour then within half a hour she wanted more so they told me to start on rice at 4 months which i did and its built up from ther i was only doing as i was told i only give my daughter water to try and stop her feeding as much then as that didnt help much started on rice n she just wanted more so added more meals in and gradually she just didnt want milk she does get enough milk though if she didnt she would be ill in hospital would she not?

i appretiate the cocern and the advice but shes in a routine although todays shes had 3 more feeds then usual as its been warmer today instead of water i gave her milk as i usually do on warm days :d

You gave her water to try and keep her from feeding so much?!  The doctor probably told you to start her on rice cereal so you wouldn't starve her.  At least you put milk in THAT.  Of course she's not going to want as much milk if you feed her solids first.  Obviously you aren't going to listen to anyone here since your doctor told you different though.

Gemma - posted on 06/22/2009

i get my information of my local breast feeding health visitor and in england the say breast feed until 6 months but yet at 3 month onwards i was sittin feeding for a hour then within half a hour she wanted more so they told me to start on rice at 4 months which i did and its built up from ther i was only doing as i was told i only give my daughter water to try and stop her feeding as much then as that didnt help much started on giving her more rice n she just wanted more so added more meals in and gradually she just didnt want milk she does get enough milk though if she didnt she would be ill in hospital would she not?





i appretiate the cocern and the advice but shes in a routine although todays shes had 3 more feeds then usual as its been warmer today instead of water i gave her milk as i usually do on warm days :d

Chelsea - posted on 06/22/2009

Quoting Gemma:

Quoting Chelsea:

Gemma you starting posting by saying she feeds from the breast once a day and now you're saying 3 times a day. Does she feed 1 time or 3? Also are you feeding her breast-milk before she has a meal? I am glad she is gaining properly. I am just concerned that you are offering her the breast after a meal and water and not before. Anyone would refuse milk after having a full meal and filling up on water. I sincerely hope she is getting breast-milk BEFORE she eats and has water and not after to ensure that she is getting an adequate supply of nutrients.

she gets milk before bed at about half 9 then agen at half 2 in the morning then again at 6 am  then she some times gets it at 5 if shes hungry before her tea at half 6 shes been eating food since four month and i was advised to take stop feeding her milk before a feed as i had college and they said that as long as she was getting food and water then milk during the nights morning and evenings she would be fine and if she wanted a snack she could have it as a snack i do mix her breakfast with breast milk and ther is some froozen incase she needs it she has rice for breakfast with my milk and ceral for dinner with veg for tea and fruit for pudding as advised at a weaning class

Gemma,

I think I have a more complete picture of what is going on.  I would like to offer you some advice as a mom and as a future le leche league leader ( I am studying under a board certified lactation consultant now).  The normal course of breastfeeding or bottle feeding does not end at 5 months of age.  You wrote that you have gone to a weaning class.  It is of course a personal choice to wean but an infant MUST get nutrition from breastmilk or formula until at least 1 year of age.  In the course of breastfeeding it's recommended by the world health organization to breastfeed for a minimum of 2 years.  Of course as I said it's your choice to breastfeed or to wean but if you are weaning which is what it seems like, you need to introduce formula.  Breastfeeding only at night for a 5 month old is not recommended.  There is no situation in which this is appropriate.  I am not sure who told you that you should stop feeding her milk before a feed but that is wrong information.  What is tough in this situation is that doctors are not trained in the normal course of breastfeeding and the differences between breast fed babies and bottle fed babies.  Breastfed babies need a feed 1 hour or 30 minutes before a meal.  There is no exception.  This ensures that they are getting proper nutrients.  Also it is of course your choice to give juice and water to your infant but that is also frowned upon for infants under 1 year.  There are two reasons that infants under a year should not be having juice:

1.  It fills them up and acts as empty calories providing little or no nutritional value but keeping them from taking in an adaquate supply of nutrient dense foods because they are full.

2.  Juice is full of sugar.  The sugar can be natural sugars found in fruit but the body recognizes them and digests them the same as white sugar.  If you think about it this way there is a reason diabetics can't have juice.  The reason is that, for example, an 8 oz. glass of orange juice is made from the juice of 4 oranges.  That means that there is 4 oranges worth of sugar in that glass.  The sugar is not good for your growing infant.  

I hope that you found the above information helpful and please remember that your doctor does not have the last word on this.  He or she may do weight checks and look at her and say she is fine but does he know how much calcium she is taking in?  How much b6 and b12?  No he or she does not.  They don't understand how breastfeeding is different from formula feeding and therefore attribute 3 feeds to what would be 3 bottles for a formula fed baby.  Breastfeeding is different and the needs of breastfed babies are different.  Please rethink this situation and check out the Le Leche League International web site for more information on solids, juice, water and the balance they have with breastmilk.  Good luck and I am thinking of you and your daughter.