Give formula or solids?

Diamond Member Joined: May 09 2008 Posts: 2630

My baby is about to turn 5 months and he seems to not be satisfied on breastmilk alone. If I am home with him all day, like on a weekend, he nurses constantly. If I am going out then I have to pump and he takes 3.5-4 oz. and finishes it all. Sometimes it's hard to pump that much.
I think he's hungry and I dont know which is better to do for him - should I give him some cereal or should I add in a formula bottle here and there during the day?
Thanks...

Posted: Sun, Jun 20 2010, 3:49 pm Post subject: re: Give formula or solids?

I think 5 months old is old enough that he might be ready for solids. I started all of mine on some solids at roughly that age.
_________________
That's the way the cookie crumbles...

Posted: Sun, Jun 20 2010, 3:49 pm Post subject: re: Give formula or solids?

Unfortunately you will get many different answers:

go on nursing only
nursing and some solids
nursing with formula supplement
nursing with formula supplement and some solids
switch to formula
switch to formula and add some solids

You should ask your own doc!! Wink

_________________

"You will have many many children and make successful shidduchim beh", rebbetzin Esther Jungreis
"It's all cultural, disagree respectfully", me

Diamond Member Joined: May 09 2008 Posts: 2630

Thanks for the replies. In the few minutes since I posted this I went and offered him formula just to see how it would go and he hated it and wouldn't drink it so it looks like he might need cereal if I am going to offer him something more...

Executive Member Joined: Dec 29 2009 Posts: 379

I think this is something to discuss with your pediatrician, but I just wanted to comment about one thing.
3.5-4 ounces is not a lot. Before 5 months, my formula fed babies drank 6-8 oz bottles per feeding and they were never exceptionally heavy (always below the 50%ile). I think it's normal for a 5 month old to not be satisfied with 3.5-4oz feedings. (Although just b/c you only can pump that amount, doesn't mean that he isn't drinking more when he is nursing directly).

Posted: Sun, Jun 27 2010, 3:32 pm Post subject: re: Give formula or solids?

My baby was underweight and extremely fussy. I tried all formulas and he kept on gagging on them. Then I tried oatmeal and I mixed in some applesauce for sweetness and bh he is on it ever since. My baby is 18 months old now and he still has it for breakfast! Good luck!
_________________
Laughter is like changing a baby's diaper. It doesn't permanantly solve anything, but it makes things more bearable for a while! Smile

Posted: Sun, Jun 27 2010, 3:32 pm Post subject: re: Give formula or solids?

My baby was underweight and extremely fussy. I tried all formulas and he kept on gagging on them. Then I tried oatmeal and I mixed in some applesauce for sweetness and bh he is on it ever since. My baby is 18 months old now and he still has it for breakfast! Good luck!

Posted: Sun, Jun 27 2010, 3:33 pm Post subject: re: Give formula or solids?

My baby was underweight and extremely fussy. I tried all formulas and he kept on gagging on them. Then I tried oatmeal and I mixed in some applesauce for sweetness and bh he is on it ever since. My baby is 18 months old now and he still has it for breakfast! Good luck!

Posted: Sun, Jun 27 2010, 3:35 pm Post subject: re: Give formula or solids?

Oops so sorry! Can I remove thes triple posts?

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7599

Posted: Mon, Jun 28 2010, 2:05 am Post subject:

If you're only giving 4oz I'd try to supplement with formula before solids, it has many more nutrients (and calories) than any solid you'll get into him. My kids have all had at least 7oz per feed from a couple of months old, when they need solids they're not satisfied with that and it's more like 9oz per feed (with solids too they go back to 7oz per bottle)

But if that's a no go then trying solids at that age should be fine.
_________________
Specialising in boys since 2006:
Immanuel (6)
Zevulun (5)
Amram (3)
Itamar (2)
Benaya (Born - July 2012)

Beginner Joined: Jun 25 2010 Posts: 8

I agree to talk to your ped.

babies under a year should be getting the majority of nutrition from BM or formula.

as somebody already mentioned 3 ounces isn't alot and he is probably drinking alot more when nursing. if you're having trouble pumping enough and formula doesn;t seem to be working you can try different bottles. my babe wouldn't take one until I got the "breastflow" brand (it's like a nipple within a nipple) but I know other babes only taking from other brands so it's really individual.

as for solids, the starting age of 4-6 months is just a guideline. more importantly, is your babe showing signs or physical and developmental readiness for solids? (sitting up on his own, loss of tongue thrust reflex, showing interest in foods, able to grab food on his own either in palm or with fingers...) there's nothing worse than seeing a well-intentioned mom trying to shovel food into a baby that isn't ready (is spitting it all out, isn't interested, can't even sit in a chair....and bumbos don't count as "sitting" IMO.)

Beginner Joined: Jun 25 2010 Posts: 8

forgot to mention....if you do end up doing solids really check around and see if rice cereal is what you want to start with. I know lots of docs say it's easiest on the gut but if your baby is physically ready for food you don;t need to start with rice. I've heard alot of negatives about rice cereal ranging from it being unnecessary to it being just baby junk-food. if you want to do cereal at least oatmeal is a natural source of iron etc...

but it's also possible to start out on real fruits or veggies. I have a ped friend who has a theory that a baby's first food will be his "comfort food" so why would you want that first food to be empty carbs like rice cereal? it may or may not be true but it's food for thought at least.