What are your babies eating?

Chanequa - posted on 01/28/2009

It's amazing how much variety there is in the guidelines that doctors give! But I suppose it's because all babies are different. My main concern is making sure that Micah gets enough formula to provide his nutrients. I like Cheryl and Heather's suggestions about making sure he's in the range of 20-32 ounces of formula daily. He's starting to get a lot more interested in our food so we may add finger foods soon to give him a bit more variety.

Stacey - posted on 01/27/2009

Honestly, every baby is different. Some babies want that something different and others are 10 months old before they have any food, some are 4 months, its totally up to you. I have been trying different things on and off but i am not stuck in a routine of when by baby has to have food. She has about 4 bottles a day roughly 180-240ml, sometimes she has food sometimes she doesnt. She lets me know when she is hungry!

Sarah - posted on 01/27/2009

There is so much info out there it's confusing! My 7month old son is nursing and our schedule goes a little like this: nurse in the am, mid morning he gets mashed banana/pear/or apple, nurse throughout afternoon, around 5-6 he gets mashed veggie, and then nurse before bed. I only just started him on food the last 2 weeks. He seemed fine still just nursing, didn't seem hungry, gaining weight well. But I felt like I was doing something wrong stil just nursing because everyone I know is feeding their babies by now, so I thought I should start.

Dianna - posted on 01/27/2009

My daughter will be 8 months on the 6th of Feb. and she get 6 oz bottles of formula and a little rice cereal about 4 times a day.  We had to thinken the bottles a little because she would spit it all back up.  In the morning she gets a bowl of fruit mixed in with her ceral. In the afternoon she gets a fruit wth a meat.  For dinner she gets a veggie and a meat.  She is now on the stage 2 but does not always finish them. 

Cheryl - posted on 01/27/2009

My daughter will be 8 Months Old on February 5th. Our doctor had given us a printed guideline to go by for all foods. Before 8 months old the "meals" are not suppose to replace the formula/breast milk. The baby should be getting between 24 and 32 oz. a day of formula/breast milk from 6 Months to 12 Months. They say that until 8 Months of age you should be feeding them their meal right after the bottle feed/breastfeed. Between 6 and 8 Months they recommend to serve 3 to 5 tbps. of cereal twice a day, and 3 to 5 tbsp. of a vegetables and 3 to 5 tbsp. of a fruit daily. After 8 Months you should start to feed them the meals before their formula/breast milk (but still make sure they get their 24 to 32 oz. of formula/breast milk daily). The papers I have are way more detailed, and because I have this information on hand, I rarely question what to give my daughter and when. If anybody would like me to send them a copy of these guidelines I'd be happy to. Let me know and I'll send them via e-mail. I hope this helps someone...

Stacey - posted on 01/27/2009

Thanks, Stacey. I read some information tonight that confirms it is okay to introduce bread because we have had success with rice, oats and barley.

Stacey - posted on 01/27/2009

I dont see wheat as being a problem Stacey. If you are unsure then stick to what you think but ive given but little one bread rolls to chew on and she seems to be fine! A few people i know give their little ones toast with vegemite but id leave the vegemite out as its got a lot of salt in it

Stacey - posted on 01/27/2009

Our girl nurses through the day and eats purrees three times a day. We feed her a couple tablespoons of fruit or vegs or a combo plus a tablespoon of cereal. We often offer her rusks and water throughout the day as well. She seems to like the sippy cup. I'd like to offer toats but am a little unsure when it is okay to introduce wheat.

Stacey - posted on 01/27/2009

Hi,

My little one is also formula fed. Ive got her on solids now but through the day ive been giving her a milk arrowroot biscuit and she loves it! Also rusks are good (tasteless though)

Ciara - posted on 01/27/2009

My baby drinks water I don't think juice is a good idea because they develop a sweet tooth. For finger foods try the crust of toast or baby rice cakes or rusk start with savoury things.

Lauren - posted on 01/27/2009

My daughter was born 16th of june weighing 8lb 2oz she was never good with her milk so i put her on solids at 3 months now she will eat everything and anything she can get her hands on and she hasnt even got teeth, i blend most meals we have as a family but she'll give anything ago if its offered to her.

Heather - posted on 01/27/2009

My little guy is formula fed too. I give him a 6 oz bottle in the morning when he wakes up. We have 2 tablespoons of oatmeal pablum mixed with formula and fruit for lunch, usually a 6 oz bottle an hour later. Supper is 1 jar of veggies and a 6 oz bottle an hour later. And 6oz bottle before bed. Our challenge right now is getting him to drink his formula. He seems to only want solids. Thats why we give him his formula an hour after his food otherwise he ends up spitting most of it out. I read in a pamphlet from the health nurse that as long as they are drinking about 20oz of formula a day you don't have to worry too much about them getting enough nutrients from their foods. Hope this helps.

Michelle - posted on 01/25/2009

My son was born on June 27th 3 weeks early and weighed 6lb 7oz. The pediatrician said we could start him on solids at 4 months and cleared him for stage 2 foods at his 6 month appt. He's on 3 meals a day. He takes 1/4 cup of rice cereal or oatmeal in the am either mixed with juice or formula. I give him fruit for lunch and he takes the whole jar and sometimes a little more. For dinner we give him meat and/or veggies (Earth's Best makes some great combos) and sometimes he'll take some of the Gerber "desserts". He's breast fed first thing am and in between meals, before bed and usually 2x in the night. Currently he weighs about 17lbs.

The last couple of weeks we've introduced a snack between lunch and dinner consisting of either Cheerios or Gerber Zweiback Toast with some juice or formula. Gerber Graduates also has some freeze dried fruits that we've given him the last couple of days. It's helping him learn to use his pincer grasp. He doesn't get very many his mouth but the dog sure loves them!

Angela - posted on 01/25/2009

My grandson James was born 1st June 08 weighing 8lb 11oz so he's a big baby with a big appetite. He has 3 meals a day with about 5 oz of baby milk. He's on stage 2 jars but doesn't eat the whole jar! He has a cup with water/baby juice in between meals (although doesn't drink much of it) and then about 5 ounces of baby milk at bedtime. He's usually asleep before he finishes the full 8 oz bottle! When he comes to stay with Nanny&Grandad, we give him a round of toast for his breakfast cut into squares and he loves it. I've given him fish pie (mashed potatoes salmon and haddock). I like the idea of including him at the table at meal times so if he isn't "due" his tea or has already eaten I still sit him with us and give him sticks of carrot or cucumber. He loves them! He hasn't got any teeth yet but still bites and chews. My daughter Katie went for a meal with friends taking James along and he cried for the tomatoe in her salad!!!! He ate it and loved it.