Baby Not as Interested in Drinking Now That She's Eating...

Hello my daughter did the same thing when I started feeding her solids. Once they start eating solids they stop drinking a lot of milk (milk is a food product that fills them up). Try giving her half jars and then a bottle but you might have to cut the milk out all together. I fed my daughter solids 3 times a day and when she got hungry in between I gave her milk but it was formula. After starting solids she didnt want breast milk any more. If you are feeding her the right things (fruits veggies etc) she will get all she needs from that. Hope I could help.

L.

Will she drink water? I would suggest trying water and if she takes the water then try mixing breastmilk into it. As long as you are getting enough "pee pee" diapers she is staying hydrated. While breastmilk is the best she is getting a lot of vitamins and minerals from her fruits and veggies.

Here is what I know about breastfed babies and solids vs. breastmilk. Breastmilk should make up 100% of their nutrition for the first year. Many people think that adding solids means they are replacing the breastmilk, but really it should be complimentary. If I were you (and I know I'm not, so this is solely your decision) I would cut the solids completely out of her diet until she was well over 6 months. I would offer her more milk and keep an eye on her diapers. As long as she was wetting well, I would have no reason to be concerned about her intake. I think its odd that your doctor doesnt recommend cutting out the solids when the AAP recommends exclusive breastmilk for the first 6 months, but even some doctor's arent up on their own policies.

This is how I would handle it if it were my baby. You do what you think is best!

My daughter is going through the same thing. She loves the cereal so much she doesn't want to drink. Try making the cereal with breastmilk instead of just water. I usually use 2 oz of formula to make it. And set up a breakfast lunch dinner schedule of feeding. This way if she wants something between meals it's milk.

My third daughter (now 7 months) really never ate as much as she was "supposed to". She regularly took and ounce or two less than what the charts and guides said. It did change after she started cereal. I offer the bottle first (formula, so maybe there's a difference?) and then the cereal (I mixed with apple or pear juice for constipation). Some days she would only want 5 bites of cereal. Some days she would only want 4 ounces of formula. But - almost majically - at 6 months, she started drinking a consistent 6 oz. and eating more solids. The doctor was never concerned b/c she was continuing on her growth cart fine.

This is very different from my first two daughters - one a big eater, the other a big eater who spit up a lot.

All of my girls seem to be less hungry when they're getting a cold or teeth! I now believe it's true - every baby is different! Do what you think is right for your daughter! Enjoy her - time flies!!

How about offering the breast as often as possible.

M.,
You don't mention if you discussed this matter with your doctor to find out if he/she is as concerned as you are.
After having 4 children I can tell you that once babies begin to discover taste, ie., fruits and such, they don't want milk (breastfed or otherwise) because there is no taste. I sometimes mixed a fruit into the milk so that it would "sweeten" it somehow (my sons took a liking to carrots and apples--sort of a V8 fusion). This may not be the norm for some but it worked for my kids and they are extremely healthy. There's no manual for being a mom so you have to study your baby and determine what works best for them and for you. Let us know how it works out.

Personally, I feel it is very important and vital that your baby get enough "milk." Her bones, organs, and brain are still developing. If she won't take the breast milk, I would try a good formula (they have just as many vitamins).

I loved the suggestion from the woman who said to make the cereal with breast milk or formula. Maybe you can experiment with different types of nipples on bottles. I learned that fruits and vegetables should not be introduced until after 6 months. Then only slowly. Alot of new parents are anxious to try all these baby foods. Cereal at 4, but these foods are not a replacement for the milk. Her first year it is very important to get the appropriate amount into her growing body.

It is a very good sign that she is growing and thriving. Your pediatrician should be able to give you some good advice on how to handle this situation.

Breastmilk or formula should be her primary source of nutrients. At her age she should consume 30-32 oz per day so you should probably adjust the feedings to make sure she gets this.

Always give her the bottle first (6-8 oz). Then you can give her the solids afterwards. Babies need the fat in breastmilk/formula for brain development. Infants cereals & baby foods just do not have enough.

It is wonderful that she is such a good eater and you certainly can continue feeding her solids, but not so much.

Keep in mind that eventually as she grows her breastmilk/formula intake will decrease as solids will increase.

4-6 months - 32 oz maximum
6-9 months - 24-30 oz
9-12 months - 24 oz

This is close to the schedule my kids followed. Just continue your well visit appointments to make sure her weight gain is appropriate.

Here are a couple links from The American Academy of Pediatrics to give you some guidance. You are doing the right thing. Good job.

http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Solids.htm

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/infantnutrition.htm

A.