when do u increse ur babies meals from 2 meals a day to 3 meals a day (solids)?

Question

my bub is 7 mnths old and is on 2 meals a day and has been for over a month wen should i increase it or how should i tell if hes redy to increase it??

Answer 1

I increased my daughters at about 6mo or 7mo she slept through the night and the daycare also suggested it as well as her dr. you should ask your dr or try gerber.com they advertise their product of course, but give great info

Answer 2

You should be able to transition to 3 meals now. He should be able take 3 meals plus 3 8oz bottles of formula/breastmilk in between meals. If you have any concerns, you can ask your pediatrician. There are many different ways to do it.

Answer 3

I added snacks at that age. I think that a full 3rd. meal would be like at age 2 years or so.

Answer 4

you give him more meals when what you are giving him now is no longer satisfying him. every child is different


susan

Answer 5

you could possibly start now it all depends on your child if he wants it he/she will eat it, if he/she doesn't want it they wont eat it good luck you will know what is best

Answer 6

Stage 1

At 6 months solid foods can be introduced but the weaning process should not be hurried if baby is content with breast milk alone. Pay attention to the signals baby gives out e.g. baby will probably be ready for solid food if they cry after breast-feedings or chew on the nipple. Even then, breastfeeding should be continued (alongside the introduction of solids) for as long as is comfortable for mother and baby.

The best time to introduce solid foods to baby is just before breast or bottle-feeding. Starting solids is a very gradual process so be patient and go slowly. The classic 'first food' is mashed banana, which is very digestible, sweet and a good introduction to foods. Suitable first foods are baby rice or pureed vegetables. Fruits are usually introduced after vegetables in order to allow acceptance of vegetables before the sweet tastes of fruits is experienced. Other popular first foods are carrot, sweet potatoes, parsnip, apples, bananas and pears. When they have had enough babies will turn away their head, clamp their mouth shut or spit the food out! These are signs that they have had enough.

When introducing solids to baby offer one type of food only and then observe how well it is tolerated. Start with around 1-2 tsp of food and gradually increase up to 6 tsp. How is fed to baby depends entirely on how much they will eat. A rough guide might be a quarter of a very ripe mushy banana for a few days (or for a week) and the following week another soft fruit such as apple sauce. This gives the baby's digestive system time to get used to each new food before the introduction of additional ones. If two or more foods are introduced at the same time and baby has diarrhoea, colic or other digestive problems, it will be difficult to identify the culprit. The foods during this first stage should be bland with a smooth consistency.

If the baby is not interested the first few times solids are introduced it is advised to try again in another week. When baby is ready they will let you know. Baby might be hungry at any time of the day or night. Babies cannot tell the time but they know what they need.

Prepare cooked vegetables plainly, do not add salt, sugar or spices. Good introductory vegetables are parsnips, sweet potatoes, yams and carrots. Still start feeds with breast or bottle but now very gradually increase the amount of solid food given afterwards. Solids should only be given by spoon or hand and never added to a bottle of feed.

Typical feed for one day at stage 1


* 1st feed - breast or bottle
* 2nd feed - breast or bottle
* 3rd feed - 1-2 tsp baby rice mixed with 1 tbs milk from feed or 1-2 tsp unsweetened fruit puree
* 4th feed - breast or bottle
* 5th feed - breast or bottle

Stage 2:

Try and move gradually from solid food at one feed in the day to solid food at two and then three feeds. Follow baby's appetite and move at baby's pace.

Avoid all baby foods that contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. Sugar contains no vitamins, minerals or protein and can lead to obesity, both now and later in the child's life. Sweetened foods also confuse and seduce the appetite tending to satisfy hunger quickly and displace healthful foods. Do not add salt to foods.

Typical feed for one day at stage 2:


* 1st feed - breast or bottle
* 2nd feed - breast or bottle followed by 1-2 tsp baby rice mixed with 1 tbs milk from feed or 1-2 tsp unsweetened fruit puree
* 3rd feed - breast or bottle followed by 1-2 tsp vegetable puree or 1-2 tsp pureed fruit
* 4th feed - breast or bottle followed by 1-2 tsp pureed fruit
* 5th feed - breast or bottle

7 Months

Around 7 months of age baby should now be ready for well-cooked wholegrain cereals such as pureed lentils, rice, lima beans and weetabix. These foods should be mushy in consistency. If the family has a history of wheat, soya or corn allergies, start with rice or oat cereals. A small amount of mashed banana or breast milk can be added to the cooked cereal for easy introduction.

8-10 months

From 8-10 months of age gradually adjust baby's feeds to fit in with the rest of the family's meal times. Baby should be used to a spoon and experimenting with food that has soft lumps or is mashed e.g. mashed potato. Bake potatoes whole to preserve vitamins and mash with a small amount of water or breast milk. Try mashing them with cooked beetroot to make them pink, something that delights babies of this age. Baby will be ready for fresh fruits e.g. pears, peaches, plums and melons. Try finger foods such as toast or rusks.

Never leave baby alone whilst eating or drinking. This is especially important when children are just learning to feed themselves. They could easily choke whilst your back is turned. Avoid chunks or sticks of vegetables to children under 3 because of the danger of choking.

Baby may also be taking a drink from a cup. Suitable drinks (in addition to bottle or breast) include cooled boiled water or diluted fruit juice e.g. apple, watermelon, pear, peach and prune. Children's teeth are at most risk from tooth decay. Babies should never be left with sugar drinks or juices in feeding bottles or reservoir feeders.

Typical feed for one day at 8-10 months


* On waking - breast or bottle or unsweetened fruit juice or cooked boiled water
* Breakfast - stewed or fresh fruit, baby rice or breakfast cereal, toast fingers with margarine/yeast extract, breast or bottle
* Lunch - cooked vegetable puree with protein