If my baby is weaning at 4-6 months does she still need the same number of milk feeds and how much if not?

Question

She loves solids (twice a day) and seems to be going off her breast milk but I am worried that she is not getting all the nutrients she needs with the solids as am keeping them simple and also heard that you have to still give them all their milk feeds before 6 months. Wouldn't they naturally start to take less milk. Very confused.

Answer 1

You should keep breastfeeding for a MINIMUM of ONE YEAR. The World Health Organisation and UNICEF recommend a minimum of two years.

Solids at that age are more for practice than nutrition.

"Should solids replace breastmilk?
No. Solids during the first year are only meant to complement breastmilk, not take precedence over it or replace any breastfeedings. It is more of a way to add textures to the baby's diet, to allow the baby new experiences, and to help her develop hand/eye coordination through finger feeding. Your baby should still be allowed to nurse on demand, as your milk should be her primary source of nutrition until closer to the end of the first year. Continuing to allow on-demand feedings also better ensures your milk supply."

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-how.html

Do NOT, as one person suggested, wean off the breast and start supplementing with formula. Formula remains vastly inferior to breast milk. Just keep offering the breast as often as your baby likes.

Answer 2

Your daughter should still be taking the same amount of milk when she begins to have solid food. Milk will still be the most important part of her diet for the first year and solids are for experimenting with taste and textures and will "top up" the milk feeds. As she grows, she will naturally require more intake, her milk intake should remain the same and her solids intake will increase accordingly. Between 9 -12 months, you may notice a slight decrease in milk intake as solids begin to take on more importance. Some people also find that they can drop a feed around that time too, and it will even itself out over fewer feeds, but it all depends on your daughter.

To ensure that she is still getting full feeds, offer breast milk first, and follow 30min - 1 hour later with solids. That way, it will give her a little time to digest, and then top her up with the solids. I've always done this with my daughter, who is now 10 months, and she has steadily been increasing her solids intake as we go along. If you are breastfeeding, the order is more important, as their could be affects on your supply. If you find that consumption of breast milk is the same, regardless, then the order is not important.

Good luck!

Answer 3

she still needs milk as her main diet at the moment, with 1 feed of solids in the morning pref. By 7-8 mths she can have 2, morning and night, by 10 mths 3 solids a day and gradually less milk.

At 4 mths about 6-7 bottles/feeds a day including one during the night if she wants
At 6 mths about 4-5 bottles/feeds a day NOT including one during the night

I'll be back if I can find exactly how many ML's a baby needs at these ages....

okay according to baby centre bubs between 4-6mths should still be having aboutbetween 32- 40oz (1 - 1.2ltrs') of milk a day. thats about 4 or 5 x 250ml bottles full.

If your baby is still drinking this amount or feeding every 4 hours for half an hour everything should be fine.

Answer 4

The recommendation is to start infants on solids at 6 months, and then it is only for tasting different things, as breastmilk or formula is still their main source of nutrients for the first 12 months of life.

Answer 5

At 4-6 months the cereal and maybe a little fruit are meant to supplement, not replace the milk or formula. But why not ask your pediatric nurse? They are a better judge of what your particular baby needs.

Answer 6

I have an 8 month old, and my experience has been the following:
- wean off breast milk at 6 months and replace with simulated milk preparation (ie: Enfamil, Similac...which contain vitamins and minerals not found in basic fruit and veggies). Start with 4 ounces and slowly work your way up. Your baby's stomach will begin to expand, thus allowing more space for food.
- pablum at breakfast (mixed with milk), veggies at lunch (followed by a bottle), fruit and pablum for supper (followed by milk).
- upon request from your baby, provide a bottle when they wake and before they go to bed.

The most important lesson I have learned is to listen to your child - they will tell you when they are / aren't hungry. Best of luck, and don't be shy to talk this over with your doctor...that's what they're there for!

Answer 7

She should Not be on this much solids yet , Did your Dr. tell you to start solids yet? a little bit of rice cereal probably wont hurt. But her digestive system is not yet ready make sure she gets the milk needed

Answer 8

You are right, right now solids should be something that she is learning the mechanics and tastes of, not relying on for any nutrition.

Try breastfeeding her each time before you give her the solids.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-how.html

Here's another link on weaning. Babies this young don't wean themselves.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/how_weaning_happens.html

Answer 9

Baby should also have milk drink its very necessary.Baby is stilll very young and growing rapidly. Consult your doctor.