Breastmilk/Formula Amounts for 7 Mo Old?

Hi L.,
Breastmilk isn't a drink for babies, their milk is their nutrition. Starting at six month, food is a supplement but it is not to take the place of their milk. Food doesn't have the nutrients that babies need, their milk does. She isn't getting enough nutrition. She doesn't need something heavier than fruits or veggies, she needs her milk. Food should always be given AFTER a nursing/milk feeding so that they fill up on milk and the food is a supplement. Food at this stage is really about experimenting. At a year old is when their primary source of nutrition changes from the milk to the food.

L.,
If she isn't nursing first thing in the AM, try that. I also nursed before I fed DS solids. That helped a bit too. Be careful if you want to go longer term with nursing - your supply can dwindle. Even if she seems pretty well ensconced in trying new foods, the breastfeeding is still so very good for her. I put my milk in his oatmeal, too.

Self-regulation with a baby is/can be messy. :)

Mostly, I would just try nursing more often. That should help immensely with the stools. Breastmilk is absorbed much more quickly, so if you nurse before, during and even after a meal, she should get what she needs. It is still food, and it is still nutrition. Solids are not necessary until age 1!

Fruits, veggies, absolutely. Meat should be held off until a year or so. I held off milk until a year, then 18 months, and then, bc he still reacts to it, am still breastfeeding. WHAT a life saver! He needs milk, but cow just doesn't do it. I held off ALL milk until a year - cheeses/yogurt also. He has goat yogurt now - a little more expensive but he loves it! We held off egg until age 2, and are holding off peanuts (hoping to avoid the allergy) until 3.

Any questions, please mail, happy to answer, DS waking now,
Good luck!
M.

Hi...my name is D. and I have a two year old girl Sophie. I breastfed her until she was almost two. I actually strictly breatsfed her until she was about 7 mos and then slowly started her on solids. When I breastfed her, I drank about two to three liters of water a day. It is sort of alot, but I thought it was good for my let down, and my daughter is very healthy, although small by regualr standards. She weighs 25 pounds right now, but she is strong and very smart, and very healthy and hearty. It does sound as if your child needs a bit more fluid, but if I were you, I would increased YOUR fluid and give it to her that way. It is the best solution for your baby. Don't let the media or others tell you otherwise. Breastfeeding is healthy and enough for your child.

I personally think breastfedding is the best thing for a child. I went against the doctors advice and did not start her on solids until she was around 7 mos. They wanted me to start her at 4 mos. Now, my doctor is asking me how I keep her so healthy and alert. I am TELLING you--your breast milk is enough for your child. Don't let the media OR your doctor tell you otherwise.

I personally would wait on the yogurt until your baby is past the one year mark. Starting too early could create a milk allergy. You are not supposed to give a baby milk until they are one year. If they are allergic, it could make them anemic because they bleed from the gut, causing anemia, and it could also exacerbate an allergy because your baby's gut is not developed fully yet and can not absorb the milk properly. I am sure your ped. will tell you differently, but its the truth. I actually waited till my daughter was two to start her on milk and yogurt. She LOVES yogurt now!! :)

And I would wait on the meat too. I started my daughter around one I think. I really can't remember, but meat can be a bit constipating (compared to lots of veggies and fruit). But thats your call. I don't think that is as much a big deal as dairy. I started my daughter on calves liver!!! hahaha...can you believe it? She really loved it though. It has alot of vit a in it and its great for avoiding anemia.

So many people want to tell you that breastfed babies will be anemic after the 6 mos. mark because their irons stores are depleted and because their mothers milk is not enough, ect, but your milk is enough. It is actually a great service to your child. Your childs brain will be more agile and quick, and your baby should sleep better, and she may be a little less in size both now and later in life, which is good. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you can, continue it until she is two. It is ideal!!! The only thing I would tell you is to increase your fluids. Even two liters a day is great!! And eat healthy!!! (as you know). Try to lessen your coffee intake if possible. That dehydrates.

I am sure you know alot of this, but I feel so strongly about it!!! Our society for some reason tries to hinder breastfeeding. People were amazed that I did it, and did it for so long!! I just saw it as a natural thing that was ideal for my baby. I just graduated from nursing school, so I have done alot of reading on this. There is alot that the peds. don't tell you. So be your baby's advocate!!!

Sorry if you knew alot of this. I just feel so strongly about it all!!!! :0) Write me if you want!!! :)

D.

Sounds like she is starving for nutrition. Jarred baby food is pasteurized. In other words there are no living enzymes as there would be with mother's milk or with fresh fruit. Pear juice is one molecule away from mother's milk and is an ideal food for baby. Just blend or grate it finely. Bananas can be constipating but if combined with other fruits should be okay.

Definitely no yogurt. Cow's milk will cause allergies and ear infections. I wouldn't give it to a baby or child at all. It's far too high in protein. Mother's milk has 6% protein and look how wonderful it makes babies grow! Milk is species specific. See how fast calves grow too since that is their ideal diet. Beware of the protein propaganda. It's false marketing.

If you do add meat, don't give her sweets after as suggested. It will cause fermentation in the gut and that means bacteria imbalances and eventually leaky gut will occur. Stomach pain in other words. My daughter vomited the first time she had meat. I was told that babies who start eating raw fruits will NEVER spit them up. It's the most natural way to eat and the body knows what to do with them. If you feel like you need to give meat, always give fruit separately. Ideally only fruit should be eaten for breakfast as it will also curb cravings later in the day. Babies are very small so it wouldn't hurt to feed more often rather than 3 larger meals. She might just be too hungry by meal time and then overeat.

I've been studying nutrition for many years so if you'd like a list of resources, just message me.

I am actually having the same issue. My son, who is seven months as well, decided that he did not want as much fluids as he was previously taking in and would rather eat solids. He used to drink 30-35 ounces with three meals, but as his solids increased, now he is down to three seven ounce bottles for a total of 21 ounces, which I was assured was sufficient.

My doctor's office just told me yesterday that my 6 month old should be getting 32 oz of formula, plus the solids. How much cereal? They said to start at 1 tablespoonful and as his appetite increases to add more. And for the fruit and veggies, a 4 oz jar is fine, could go up to 6 oz. However, the formula is very important so now I am going to start all my sons meals with the formula, have him drink as much as he wants, when I know he doesn't want anymore formula, then a little while later, maybe an hour later, give him the solids. This way I know he fills up on the formula which is where they get the majority of their vitamins. I'm hoping this plan helps, I think it will. I realized though that I will probably not be on a 4 hour feeding schedule, I can't be b/c my son won't have enough time then to get all his food in, so I will probably introduce the bottle every 3 hours.

Hi L.,
You didn't say how many wet diapers she is having a day. If she is still peeing well, 6-8 pee diapers, things should be ok. But, that is alot to eat for a 7 month old baby, especially if she isn't drinking.

If she's not peeing that much, I would suggest cutting her solids in half, every feeding. When you cut down her solids, she'll have enough room in her belly for much needed fluids, to fill her up the rest of the way.

Maybe the foods you are giving her, she really likes and doesnt want to stop eating, which can lead to overfeeding her.

You also didn't mention what kinds of foods you are giving her; fruits, yogurts, custards, applesauce, or meats and veggies? If you're feeding her that much, meats and veggies should be included and fed first, then the sweet stuff. (Or, I used to alternate bites, just to get the gross stuff in there.) Two of my children didn't like sweet potatoes, made them vomit, so I never gave it to them again.

Good luck

everyone is different. but more solids than fluids should be entering by now.