Feeding My 5 1/2 Month Old Son

Check with your pediatrician first! IMO that is way to young to be starting solids, his little kidneys can't take it yet. The earliest I have heard on starting solids is 6 months. I will tell you that I had trouble with my breast milk supply and substituted with formula at around 4 months with my oldest being on full formula by about 7 months and my youngest being on full formula by 6 months. They both are extremely healthy and fit and are thriving. Formula is a great alternative to breast milk. Nestle Good Start was the easiest to digest for both my boys.

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So you never actually latch him on, he always drinks from the bottle? If you are pumping only, you very well could be losing some of your supply. Normally I would suggest nursing more, but it doesn't sound like that will work for you. You could try pumping more, when I was working on it, I pumped for a few minutes, every 10 minutes or so, a few times in a row. If you do that a couple of times a day, on top of your normal pumping, that might help. You can also eat oatmeal and other galactogues (see kellymom.com), or try mother's milk tea or the herbs fenugreek or blessed thistle (bt worked better for me than fenugreek). Also, I know your child is almost 6 months old, but have you ever tried latching on again? A lot of women have latching issues, I had all kinds of issues and stopped nursing because of them, later relactating, but you could always try putting him straight on the boob. If you can get that working, so he is nursing every once in a while, that should really help keep up your supply. Especially once he starts eating solids, which will mean you're pumping less often, and you will definitely make less milk (which you want, but at the same time, it could drop too much).

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Try asking your Pediatrician.

Goats milk or almond milk is supposed to be a good 'replacement' for whole cows milk or for those with allergies/milk intolerances. BUT, giving "milk" is usually not recommended until 1 years old. And in lieu of "Formula"... I don't know what the 'replacement' would be.

Also, as far as giving him cereal... has it been suggested by the Doctor? Or has he even started "solids" yet? Usually "solids" is not started, per the American Academy of Pediatrics, until 6 months old. Due to the body's development and digestion.

Giving "solids" is NOT a means of just making a baby "full." That is not the purpose.

As far as your baby's intake... yes, at 6 months it is a growth-spurt time. And intake does increase. Each baby is different... but usually at this age, a baby drinks more or more frequently... or even "cluster-feeding" because the appetite of a baby will reflect their every changing needs and growth needs. If I were you... I would offer him feedings on-demand.... not just every 2-3 hours. Breastmilk digests & metabolizes very quickly. He may very well need and be able to drink more than just 3 ounces. How about just giving him a bottle of 6 ounces? A baby will tell you how much they need and "when" you should be upping the ounces a baby can drink per their development and growth. Versus just going by a monthly age.

Also, for the 1st year... iron is an important nutrient for a baby. Or they will lack it... and at 1 years old Doctors usually do a blood-test for Anemia. So.... this is why, with Formula... there is Iron in it, as well as vitamins/DHA's/Omega-3's and minerals etc.

So, if you lose your breastmilk supply... I would definitely ask your Pediatrician what to feed your baby.... so that he does not lack nutrients as well. But don't just switch to some kind of milk replacement without checking with the Doctor.

I know some abhor "Formula." But, again, there are all kinds, and organic or not. Some Moms don't have any other way and their babies are healthy and thriving, with Formula.

The thing is, for proper growth and development... a baby needs a certain intake and caloric intake and nutritional spectrum. Especially the 1st year. It is a building-block time. Have you ever seen a Lactation Consultant to help your baby latch on better, or to ask them HOW you can increase your milk production???? Then, this could help the whole situation...?

I think, try offering him more ounces, more often... again- some babies cluster-feed...which means they even feed every hour. The baby cereal, is just as you said "filling" him up... for fullness. Not nutritionally. At this age typically, they CAN indeed be drinking more ounces.

My kids, went through many spurts of intake increases and cluster-feeding, per their appetite increases and growth.

Maybe increase his feedings/ounces... and perhaps by pumping more often... this can also increase your milk production?

But yes, ask the Pediatrician.

All the best,
Susan

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Talk it over with your doctor. There is nothing wrong with formula. It has lots of vitamins, minerals, and all the things babies need. No child has ever been hurt by getting good nutrition. This is the time to have the proper diet.
B. v.O.

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I can't comment on whether he is getting enough milk, I would ask your doctor. But, if he is content with 3 ounces per feeding and not looking for more, than he is probably fine. I know when I started feeding my daughter cereal she drank less. I used my milk to mix her cereal and would feed her cereal by spoon then a bottle (my breast mil) to wash it all down (if she were still hungry and would take it). This worked for us.
All the best.

Are you looking for an alternative to formula. Let me know. God Bless!

J.

My situation may be similar so take what you can and leave the rest: My son never took a bottle. He simply refused. He would bite, pull and tear at the bottle nipple and get very angry anytime I offered a bottle...with formula or breast milk. He fed exclusively on the breast to nine months when he weened himself onto a sippy cup. My mother in law would tell me that he needed formula in his bottle and cereal added to, "hold him". I considered it b/c I was tired of breast feeding but then I saw how her own children were overweight and I decided not to do it. I wanted to give up many times because I didn't believe he would ween himself the way all of my breast-feeding books advised. Ultimately, I started offering him the sippy-cup with milk in it or milk and cereal as I started introducing cereal and other age-appropriate food. Eventually he wanted the sippy more than the breast and that was my experience. All babies are unique though, and trust yourself to know what to do for yourself and your baby. You'll do great!

He really doesn't need more milk at this point, he is ready for food. Check with your pediatrician, but you're pretty much at the point where you can start vegetables in addition to the cereal.

I breast fed (with no formula) for a year before both my sons then transitioned to cows milk. It's hard, but you can do it...congrats on doing it so far!

-M

S. - you are an amazing lady for pumping as long as you have. I breastfed my son and pumped once I went back to work, but alas towards the end of the 10 months I breastfed my son, my supply went down (despite all the fenugreek teas, herbal remedies, eating more, etc. that was recommended). At this point he was already weaning himself, so we just move to formula until he was one (then went to milk). I don't think he turned out any worse for wear, so don't beat yourself up if you move to formula. Babies need the nutrients, calories, and fat that comes from either breastmilk or formula at this point in their lives so I dont' think there really is an alternative here. On the solids, you'll know if he's ready for them if he's showing interest (grabbing for your food, actually swallowing and not still thrusting with his tongue, etc.)

On a side note, I have to laugh about the "timing" of when kids should start solid foods and how "advice" changes over the years. I looked at my baby book after my son was born and noted that 30 some years ago doctors advised solids much earlier - I got my first taste of cereal and applesauce at 1 month!

Get Ruth Yaron's book, Super Baby Food. She will answer all of your questions, and help you get healthy solid foods going, too. How much, when, etc. Beware, she's a little fanatical about her approach, but it is an excellent resource. It sounds like you have a full life, but don't let that stop you from doing this for your child. It might sound like a lot of prep, but it isn't and then you freeze a whole bunch so that all you have to do is pull out a serving and poof! meal time!

good luck.

Now is about the time you can start "solid" foods. Choose banana, avocado, or cooked sweet potato. Mash, and mix with breast milk until drippy. Be sure to have a camera :)

We made all our baby food. Get this book: "Super Baby Food." It was fantastic! It has a list of which foods you can introduce in each month and EASY ways to prepare. You'll never miss the bottled foods you would have had to spend a lot of money on.

So much good luck to you!

Hmmmm... you might be similar to me then. When I pumped it slowed my milk production and caused me to start to dry up. My son had to have it straight from the tap. Have you tried consulting someone from La Leche League in your area? They have people who will come to your house to help with the latching issue. I don't blame you for not wanting to give your son formula. Horrible stuff and it tastes wretched too!!

Actually, because he's drinking breastmilk you do NOT up his intake. You never base breastmilk intake on a child's age or weight. Those mathematecal formulas only apply to, well, formula. Breastmilk, unlike formula, grows with your child. It becomes richer as they grow and so you don't ever need to increase their intake. Your milk is the perfect food that is made specifically for YOUR baby and has all the nutrition, calories, iron, DHA/ARA and all that your baby needs.

It sounds like he's receiving the ideal quantity from you right now! You are right on track and doing great! No need for cereal or anything else. Breastmilk quantities are calculated by hours, not weight or age. The average baby takes in 24 oz ever day (no matter what the age), so you figure that's 1 oz ever hour. Say you feed him every 3 hours, that's 3 oz every 3 hours. Couldn't be simpler.

Here is some more information from an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. This information is based on research and guidelines laid out by the AAP and WHO.

Appropriate Quantities of Breastmilk: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

What if baby is eating solids? (for when you start later on @ 6 months)http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html#solids

How to bottlefeed the breastfed baby: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

Is my baby ready for solids? (solids should wait until 6 months per the AAP and WHO)http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html

Starting solids (when your baby is old enough and ready): http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/ready-solids-lin...

And finally, when you get ready, here are some menus to help you successfully combine solids and breastfeeding to help prevent premature weaning: http://www.mother-2-mother.com/samplemenus.htm

Hope this helps! It's hard when you're exclusively pumping. Hats off to the women who do this. Check out the forums on www.kellymom.com and there is a whole area dedicated to pumping moms with lots of great advice and support. There are several military families who are members, too.