4 1/2 old girl hardly takes formula/bottles since we introduced solids!

DubDani

Hi,

in the last week we have introduced our daughter to solids in form of Baby Rice, Sweet potatoes and some pureed fruits (pear/Apple/Banana), and she really loves her solids. She can hardly get enough of it.

Unfortunately the last 2 or 3 days she more or less refuses her formula or my wifes breast. She will hardly take the breast anymore except to play with it, and the amount of formula has decreased from around 6oz per bottle to maybe 2oz a bottle.

We tried to give her the bottle more frequent, but that doesn't work either.

Generally we wouldn't be too worried, but the problem is that she doesn't really take any other liquids, like water etc. For some reason she hasn't liked it from the start, and will only take a sip or 2 before refusing the bottle. We also tried water heavily diluted with some juice or water with the flavour and even tea, but to no avail.

Any suggestion son how to get her "back" on the fluids?

Cheers,
DubDani

ocokev

When my bab was about that age she stopped taking formula.
We used to wait until she slept then after about 5-10 minutes sneek a bottle into her.:cool:

littlebug

DubDani wrote: »

and even tea

tea? :eek:

I remember my first going off her bottles when she started solids. I made sure to mix the solids with milk rather than water so she was getting extra there. I would also give her a sippy cup with water now and again though she mostly chewed it to start with.
Really a baby will drink when they are thirsty so just keep offering.

DubDani

littlebug wrote: »

tea? :eek:

Yes, Fennel tea. Very common to give it to newborns where I am coming from. I am aware that it is not as common here in Ireland, but proven to be very healthy for babies.

crazy cat lady

We're having similar trouble with Megan. She's still taking the bottle but not as much. I've started giving her the bottle before her solid feeds now which seems to be working a bit better. She'll take a bit of water when offered too which is good! She will still have a good munch at the breast too, especially before her nap in the afternoon!

Das Kitty

Have you tried using a cup to feed her the milk? Or giving her the milk before the solids seeing as she's taken so well to the solids.

bogtotty

I assume she's 4 1/2 months, not 4 1/2 years?

That's a wee bit young to be introducing solids, the recommended age is 6 months. Many parents swear by introducing solids earlier in terms of getting their baby to sleep through the night, but just be aware that there are some drawbacks too. They can be much more prone to constipation and tummy upsets, can actually get less sleep due to indigestion/wind, and can be more likely to develop food intolerances later in life.

In addition, milk is designed to be their primary food source for the first year, by giving priority to solids your baby may not be getting all the nutrients she needs (milk is much more easily absorbed by their immature digestive system than solids) and could be at risk of becoming dehydrated or constipated.

I would cut back on the solids a bit. Stick with just one meal a day for now and see does her milk intake improve. If she seems hungry, give her more milk, try not to overburden her little tummy. The Anabel Karmel books have some great guides in them for seeing how many meals (and what type of food) is appropriate to each stage of development.

There's a good link here to current research demonstrating the benefits of delaying solids.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

crazy cat lady

The weaning book given out by the PHN's which is produced by the HSE recommends starting solids between 4-6 months.

I've started giving our 4 month old solids in the form of pureed vegetables and fruit, and also baby rice and cereals. So far no tummy upsets and no constipation. It is recommended that gluten containing foods, nuts, sugar, salt and eggs are avoided as first foods for your baby.

Every baby is different, and for some babies weaning at 4 months is what is needed. Our little girl was nearly 9lb coming into the world so I feel that she was ready to start having solids. Its hard knowing what is best for your child and when is the right time to introduce solid foods, I wouldn't say that 4 and a half months is too early if the parents feel it is needed.

DubDani

bogtotty wrote: »

I assume she's 4 1/2 months, not 4 1/2 years?

That's a wee bit young to be introducing solids, the recommended age is 6 months. Many parents swear by introducing solids earlier in terms of getting their baby to sleep through the night, but just be aware that there are some drawbacks too. They can be much more prone to constipation and tummy upsets, can actually get less sleep due to indigestion/wind, and can be more likely to develop food intolerances later in life.

In addition, milk is designed to be their primary food source for the first year, by giving priority to solids your baby may not be getting all the nutrients she needs (milk is much more easily absorbed by their immature digestive system than solids) and could be at risk of becoming dehydrated or constipated.

I would cut back on the solids a bit. Stick with just one meal a day for now and see does her milk intake improve. If she seems hungry, give her more milk, try not to overburden her little tummy. The Anabel Karmel books have some great guides in them for seeing how many meals (and what type of food) is appropriate to each stage of development.

There's a good link here to current research demonstrating the benefits of delaying solids.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

We have a very hungry baby, and the Health visitor as well as the doctor recommended to get her onto solids. It seems that everyone we know with a baby has started around 4 months on solids.

All these recommendations change all the time, and it seems nobody really knows what's best :rolleyes:

According to my mum I was introduced to solids with 8 weeks, and ate everything the rest of the family ate when I was about 6 months. I have no allergies and have never been sick in my life, beside the odd flu.

But we are of course taking it easy with the solids and try to get as much formula into her as possible. Since I wrote her formula consumption has picked up again to about 20oz a day plus solids plus breast twice a day. But cutting back on the solids would probably cause war at home with our little girl. As soon as she sees a plate or her Bowl she is up like a crazy baby.

bogtotty

crazy cat lady wrote: »

Every baby is different, and for some babies weaning at 4 months is what is needed. Our little girl was nearly 9lb coming into the world so I feel that she was ready to start having solids. Its hard knowing what is best for your child and when is the right time to introduce solid foods, I wouldn't say that 4 and a half months is too early if the parents feel it is needed.

I agree every baby is different and every parent will know what's best for their particular child. My own lad was 9lbs 6 when he was born and has continued to be in the 95th centile on the growth charts. He certainly didn't suffer from not getting solids and until a week before he was 6 months old. However, if they have started early on solids and then experience problems re. dropping of milk feeds, it would be wise to follow current recommendations and go easy on the solids for a little while. They can always be increased, there's no need to stop completely.

Around 4 months babies also start to become more socialised and begin wanting to mimic those around them. They often start 'looking for food' when in fact what they are doing is looking to copy you. Their hunger needs are generally met by milk. "Solids should be fun until they are one" is my public health nurse's mantra.

martina_670

DubDani wrote: »

Yes, Fennel tea. Very common to give it to newborns where I am coming from. I am aware that it is not as common here in Ireland, but proven to be very healthy for babies.

I have always used fennel tea, from when my eldest (which is 19 now) was newborn till my baby or 2 year old toddler now, it is very good for them

cbyrd

goes to show you, when i had my first you could feed solids from 3 months.. the day she hit 3 months she started solids and she loved everything i put up to her. my second girl started about 4 months..

now with ben i'm recommended not to start him til 6 months cos he's probably lactose intolerance.(lots of trial and error with different formulas, colief to the rescue)

he'll be tested soon, but i can't start him on anything til he has a battery of allergy tests as i'm severly allergic to a spice and paracetamol and i'm lactose intolerant.. i'm waiting for my tests too.:rolleyes: the joys