Question for Breastfeeding moms...?

Question

My daughter is 5 1/2 months and I breastfeed she has started on rice cereal but I was just wondering how often after you start feeding rice cereal does your child want to breastfeed and for how long? Thanks.

I am not worried that my baby is getting fat I want to make sure that she is getting enough. I feed her when ever she wants I was just wondering what was normal for other mothers.

I mean how many times a day. I plan to breastfeed untill she is over a year, but I mean how many times a day.

Answer 1

My 10 1/2 month old eats solids 3 times a day and was still nursing 5 times a day (9:30 am ; 1:00 pm ; 5:00 pm ; 8:30 pm & 11:30 pm) until a few weeks ago when I moved the 1:00 pm to about 3:00 pm and started cutting out the 5:00 p.m. feeding.

She normally eats for about 5-8 minutes per side.

I'm trying to cut her back to 3 times a day and get her to take a little formula a couple times a day before I return to work in 3 weeks. (The formula thing isn't going so well so far though!!)

When I originally introduced cereal I was pumping BM for it but after a month or two of doing that every couple days it was just too much of a hassle (to transport the milk for the cereal if we were out etc.) and all I seemed to be doing was increasing my milk supply again and making myself uncomfortable by doing it.

I know some people that cut back to 3 times a day when their baby is eating fruits and veggies too, but I never feel very "full" anymore so considering that she only eats for such a short time at each side I'm not sure how much she'd be getting if I didn't keep feeding her 4-5x (plus I didn't want to reduce my milk supply any more than it already seems to be. Like I said, until she's a year old I still want to BF 3x a day when I return to work if possible so I don't want to wean her TOO much.)

Take care and good luck!!

Answer 2

All 4 of mine continued to breastfeed as normal while just eating cereal once or twice a day. The baby will stop when she is full. Feed her the cereal first and then nurse her and she'll stop when shes full. If she stops before going to both sides only do it half that time and switch sides the next time you nurse after cereal. Same thing as you introduce other foods. Let her eat her lunch, then nurse afterwards if she wants. It won't be as much as without eating first but thats okay. Always keep your right before bedtime nursing to help her sleep through the night. I keep an early morning one to so she'd go back to sleep til a more reasonable time. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I started all mine on rice cereal at about the same time (maybe a little closer to 6 mos.) After just the rice cereal, I didn't notice much difference in their nursing habits. But I have always just let mine nurse whenever and for however long they want. My almost 18-month old daughter (my youngest child, and last breast-feeder) :o) still nurses whenever she wants, though not near as much as when she was a newborn, or even as much as when older (6-12 mos). I wouldn't worry as long as she's nursing ok and seems to be satisfied and healthy. Let her have just the cereal for awhile (while also nursing of course), and then slowly you can start introducing other baby foods, one at a time is best. I have heard that doctors now advise letting a baby nurse until 18 months. Mine nursed until age 2, age 18 mos, age 10 mos, and the baby is still going. :o) My baby girl eats most anything these days, but she still loves her "nurse-nurse". Enjoy your baby! :o)

Answer 4

When I started giving my daughter a little cereal around 6mths, I didnt notice any change in our nursing routine. I guess it depends on how much you are giving, and I was just giving it once a day. Can you read your daughter well to see when she is hungry? My girl was usually pretty clear when she was ready to eat. Not one to be patient if her little tummy was grumbling! If you arent able to tell, continue with your present schedule and if your daughter isnt interested in nursing she'll stop quicker than usual. You likely wont see any real difference for a few more mths, after you have introduced enough solids for a full meal. It's important to take it slow, as milk is the most important food for your girl right now. Nursing first and giving solids after is good advice, to keep up your supply and make sure she continues to gain weight well. I've had friends who pushed solids too fast, too early, and their babies' stopped gaining weight very well as milk has more calories.

Answer 5

With both girls I kept my normal breastfeeding routine and did cereal once a day, about a tablespoon of cereal moving the quantity up until it was around 4 TB.

My daughter is 10 months now and I nurse her around 7 am, give her regular food breakfast around 8:30, nurse her before her nap around 10:30, give her solid lunch, nurse her before her nap around 2:30, give her dinner at 5:30, nurse her as she wants in the evening, bedtime, middle of the night. So, she gets 3 meals with the family and nurses for snacks. :) Even though she is eating a huge variety of food, I still don't consider it her primary nutrition so if she doesn't eat a lot, I don't worry about it. When she nurses, it is usually on one side for 10 minutes.

Answer 6

During the first year of life, breastmilk (or formula) is the primary source of nutrition for babies. All other food is supplementary. Your milk is soooooo much more nutrient dense than the rice cereal (which has very little going for it nutritionally speaking). I would always nurse first and then offer little bits of food once or twice during the day. However, 5.5 months seems a bit young. The "food readiness" signs are: baby can sit up by herself; baby's gag reflex isn't strong anymore; baby uses pincer grab to pick up small objects; baby shows interest in food.

Answer 7

OK well you have to think about how long you would like to breastfeed for you child will breastfeed until you do not let them anymore. I have heared 14 months is a good age but also you should start milk at 1 so it is up to you. If you can hang in there more power to you. Your child will let you know everything you need to about them just listen.

Answer 8

breast milk should still be primary. i was nursing first, then giving solids. baby is still new at eating solids and will not be "efficiant" at it yet. when she gets closer to a year, then you can feed solids first, then nurse because they'll be eating more things and can actually get them swallowed and they just haven't figured that out yet when are just starting cereal. i don't think my times per day nursing went down until my son was closer to a year. i nursed on demand though, sometimes was 8 times a day, sometimes 15, just depends on baby. you still can count wet diapers if you are worried on how much baby is getting. good luck

Answer 9

It is recommended to start with one teaspoon very diluted a day and then work up from there. Just remember that breastmilk or formula is supposed to be the main food source for the first year. Offer milk first and then top them up with solid foods if they're still hungry.

Answer 10

I always just fed my breastfed kids on cue. Whenever they asked, we nursed. I never really kept track of the number of feedings. After all, they don't just nurse for food, but also for comfort, to relax, to go to sleep, to be near mom, etc.

You do still want breastmilk to make up about 75% of her diet. Solid foods are mostly for fun and practice at this age. You don't want solids to replace any nursing sessions, but instead be in addition to her nursing sessions.