Hints and tips for weaning (merged)

Delilah

sounds like we had ours quite close, my daughter is 22 1/2 weeks and has started on solids twice a day but she doesn't do any of this turning away when she is full, pretty sure she would eat til she popped. At one stage on top of all her usual milk feeds she was having 4 cubes of pureed veg for lunch after porridge for breakfast. we thought that was too much so we took a step back as suggested above and started at the beginning again now she has small portion of porridge for breakfast and 1 or two for lunch. two weeks ago she went for a week (she was snuffly - teething) where she got up twice in the night for a feed after sleeping from 9pm til 6am since she was 10 weeks old. it may be a growth spurt, how long has she been getting up in the night for?? Is she feeding or just looking for some comfort to get back to sleep, we have had to just introduce a dummy, usually i would give her a little feed for the comfort but am trying to stop as my childminder can't do it when i am not there. As for the breast milk, i would try and up your supply a little, i went through this recently but with a little help from the lovely people on this website (yourself included i think) i managed to get through and am still breastfeeding exclusively despite being back at work now for a couple of months. When you feed your baby you should let the baby empty both breasts and let her carry on sucking for a minute or two on the empty breast then put her back on an hour or so later (hopefully she will last) this will help you produce more and keep her topped up if only for another hour, you may have to do this for a few days but then you should gradually notice that she may go for longer meaning your supply would be upping to meet her new hungry needs. I agree with one of the earlier posts about giving the formula will just tell your breasts you are making enough milk. Good luck back at work.

heather38

she's been waking up for about 4 weeks in the night, i think her teeth are getting ready i can't wait!!
tbh i don't like breastfeeding, i have a real thing about my breasts but i did it coz it was best for her. i tried to express milk to give her when i'm at work but i couldn't get enough for all her feeds and i think my milk is starting to dry up and thats the problem. i did try and feed her often, i went to bed with her for 2 days before i went to work to try and up my supply but it didn't help. she seems happier now she's on formula in the day, i've put her on aptamil and it seems to suit her.
as for food she has either apple, pear or banana for breakfast, 2 cubes of veg for lunch and 2oz of water and 4 for tea, she was eating well until monday and now she's lost all interest. i'm not forcing the issue as she seems well in herself and is doing plenty of dirty nappies.

Delilah

thats great i am happy for you. a happy baby is a happy mummy. i may be calling on you for some advice when i make the switch myself. Also i think i posted my reply before i read yours. :T

Mrs_pbradley936

She is ready to wean. The iron stores she was born with are virtually empty now and her hunger is a sign that she needs real food. How much? Well, I would provide breakfast, lunch and supper along with a milk drink. Also water or juice between meals and a milk drink just before bed.

heather38

pbradley, i'm already weaning her. i started a week before she was 5 months as she was starving hungry all the time.
i was really wanting advice about b/f and milk supply, but we have sorted that now with a mix of breast and formula.

Fivenations

Re the Plasmon - I used to do this but cannot recall exactly what I did. Try putting half bisucit in the milk to start with - it will dissolve. If that goes down well then next time put a whole one in. I dont think I put oinmore than one as it would be too thick. Also, dissolve them in milk, not water, when feeding alone. Same as Farleys.

Lovely stuff - I'd hapily eat one now!

ToryB_2

Glad you sorted the b/f issue

My daughter is 24 weeks and is eating alot of solid food, she has three meals a day and a typical day is~

Bottle on waking (around 6-7am...6oz)
Breakie~Porridge and fruit (2oz of milk on porridge)

Bottle around 10-11am (6oz)
Lunch~ Veggies/chicken/fish etc homemade and then some fruit afterwards

Bottle around 3-4pm (6oz)
Tea~ Either veggies/chicken/fruit or whatever and then a little bit of fruit afterwards...sometimes she will only have cold tea (fruit/yogurt etc)

Bottle 7pm for bed (8oz)

I make her food in the anabel karmel trays and she will eat up to 4 per meal (2savoury and 2sweet)

heather38

when did you start giving protein? so far she has only ever had fruit and veggies. and she is 6 months tomorrow (no idea where that went!)
breakthrough today she ate 3 new foods, melon (with lumps- a first) cauliflower and papaya. seems like the eating is back on.

JoJo2c

Thanks for the advice on the Plasmon. My son is now happier and sleeping about 6-7 hours at night. and eats 3meals + fruit as well.

In relation to the protiens. My son will be 6months next week and i have been giving him meat and veges for about 4 weeks now. He loves Beef & pumpkin. I have also started him on lentils as well.

brummiebabe

Hi all

Thought I'd post here as I know there's such a range of experience out there, that someone is bound to be able to help.

My DD is 7 months old. I started weaning at 6 months (as per current advice) but to be honest - I'm finding it very stressful!! My 2 DSs were easy to wean..would eat anything and really enjoyed their food!! My DD, on the other hand - is proving very difficult!!

There are certain things that she will eat (apple, pear, sweet potato, carrot & parsnip, breakfast cereals) but only if she is in the right mood - otherwise her mouth stays clamped shut!! Nothing will get in and she gets quite upset. However - she will generally always eat a pudding (rice pudding/egg custard)

I'm trying to gradually increase the range of food she eats..but not having much luck. Most of the time she has one small taste & that's all - she will not take anymore!!

She will not eat jars of baby food either.

My Health Visitor is not all that helpful.....just kept going on about her needing to have iron now due to her age...I know all of this..but how can I get her to eat more????

She would happily drink 5-6 oz milk every 3-4 hours, but I am cutting this down to try to increase her appetite for solids - she probably has around 22oz milk per day now (although this can be more if she's refused meals.)

I'm getting quite worked up about it (which I know is the worst thing to do!!) but feel on my own in this...DH not really interested and doesn't really ever feed her (unless I make him...even then he won't perservere and gives up quickly:rolleyes: .)

Has anyone got any advice or experienced this themselves...I'm at a bit of a loss what to do - feel a bit like a 1st time mom!!!:rotfl: