Do you breast feed with solids at lunch/supper?

[alexis255]

My 7 month old DS has baby porridge for breakfast and a jar of baby food/finger foods for lunch and supper. I was told to continue to breastfeed as well as the meals, which I have been doing. However I struggle to express enough milk for his bedtime bottle on top of feeding him all day. I was just wondering what others do as I've seen people post routines that just alternate between breast feeding and solids?

Previously I expressed at 6am before he nursed but (since teething started) he's been waking early and wanting to be fed immediately, so I don't get a chance. I've been doing it in the evening instead but then if he wakes up too early after going to bed (frequently over past few nights) then I'm empty and can't feed him (which is the only thing that settles him atm).

I tried 2 types of formula (when I was ill and my body wasn't producing enough milk for him) but they upset his tummy and he woke in the night screaming and pulling his legs into his tummy. Scared to try another one unless anyone can recommend something for colicy-type babies?

Always seems hungry but definitely not underfed. He's a big boy- size 12 month clothing already.

Thanks in advance.

[Superworm]

At this age milk is the main source of nutrition as it contains more calories, fats and goodness than they can get from solids. It's also easier to digest so they are able to consume more of it overall if that makes sense.

If he is filling up on solids at dinner time, he may have tummy ache from trying to digest them. It also may mean he is not having enough milk at bedtime, so waking up hungry.

In terns of breastfeeding, the breasts are never empty (think rivers rather than lakes). In the evenings when they feel softer, the milk is fattier and more calorie dense, helping them feel fuller for longer. I would cut out the evening solids and breastfeed more frequently in the afternoon/evening and see if that helps.

[Artandco]

I would also feed more still. The more feeds the more milk produced

At 7 months mine had a day roughly:

Wake - 8am breastfeed
9am breakfast
11am breastfeed
1pm lunch
3pm breastfeed
6pm breastfeed
7pm dinner
9pm breastfeed - bed

All meals were just a bit I what I or dh had. So breakfast might be few spoons regular porridge one day, a boiled egg another day. Lunch and dinner the same .
Prob each meal roughly a heaped tablespoon size of food so not huge. Ie level spoon of rice with few pieces chicken and sauce, or like 8 pieces pasta in sauce, a floret of broccoli

By 12 months it was down to 2-3 milk feeds a day

[alexis255]

He has supper and breast feed about 2 hrs before bed ad then the 5oz bottle just before going down. Sleeps fine initially but after 2 hours he's awake and crying. Doesn't really seem v hungry- I think he's just feeding for comfort because he's teething- but if I've just expressed then it takes him more effort to get the milk out and it just makes him cry more.

When do other people tend to express if making a bedtime bottle?

Any recommendations for formulas for sensitive stomachs? It would be good to have something in the cupboard just in case.

Thanks

[ZenNudist]

I have 6mo ds2 and yes I bf after meals. In this heat I try to ensure regular 'drinks'. I am more thirsty so I assume he is too.

Not yet up to 3 meals

6am bf
9am breakfast (fruit & porridge about 8-10 spoonfuls seems to eat a lot)
11am bf
1230 bf (will do lunch here soon and offer milk after)
3pm or 4pm bf (not always that fussed)
5pm dinner (puréed vegetables) preceded by or followed by quick bf depending on if he seems to need it
730 quick bf and a micro nap
830bf then sleep
Possible 4am waking or earlier if I'm unlucky, which then pushes next day first feed later - the routine is not that set but meal and feed spacing do don't change too much.

We still do boob & snooze here so sometimes I just bf for comfort. I have 3yo ds1 who eats everything in sight and sleeps 12 hours from 7.30pm so just doing same again with ds2 and hoping for similar result

[alexis255]

Yes I've been giving my DS a lot more to drink in the heat too.

Sounds like you're definitely doing sonething right if that's what your older son is like :)