I kind of have the same question as the one posted for the one year old. I have been breastfeeding my 9 month old and just last week tried to introduce a bottle for her noon feeding. She eats jar food about 3 times a day--not alot, though. She usually nurses about 4-5 times a day (never has been a big eater). Now, whether it is a bottle or me, she eats in the morning and then doesn't want much more until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon (maybe a few ounces in between). Is this enough do you think? She is small (<17 pounds at 9 months), but not overly small. Thanks!

By Carolk on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 05:46 pm:

I think her weight is normal for a breastfed baby. I breastfed my DD until I dried up, around 6 months. She's been on formula for 3 months now and has really started to put on the pounds. She was at the doctors a couple of weeks ago and she weighed almost 19lbs. She has food(cereal and veggies or fruit) 3 times a day plus about 4-5 ounces of formula, then 2-6 oz bottles of formulas for in between meals. Her pediatrician had told me to get her into the habit of eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. Now I mentioned she weighed 19lbs 2 weeks ago, well at her 6 month checkup she weighed right around 14-15lbs. She really did feel a lot lighter when I was breastfeeding her. Now that she's eating food and drinking formula it seems like she weighs so much more. HTH

By Tklinreston on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 11:48 am:

That's true. Breasfed babies tend to be lighter than formula fed babies. In my case, though, both my ds' were breastfed and they are so different. My older ds who is 4 was breastfed until he was a year old. He was a light eater & had severe reflux until 10 months old, throwing up everything that he ate. But he was always BIG. Weighed 19 lbs at his four month check up. He still doesn't eat much but is in the 100% weight and height and is very lean. My younger ds, however, who will be one only weighs 20 lbs. He eats alot and doesn't have reflux. So it must be his "genetic makeup". I wouldn't worry about your dd. At her age, I think it's important to make sure she nurses frequently and has at least three meals (even if it's a small meal). Introducing different food and establishing a schedule is very important, too. It sounds like she's on track. As my ped says all the time to reassure me, as long as ds is gaining and not losing weight, he is doing fine. Also is your dd really active? My ds is like the Energizer Bunny and keeps going all day long.... which can also affect weight gain. Good luck!!

By Kate on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 11:50 am:

I do think that's a long time to go between feedings. Personally I'd run it by the pediatrician. Are you saying she eats around maybe 8:00 AM and then not again until 3:00 or 4:00 PM? Some babies are content to starve. I'm not saying your baby is starving, but I do think the huge time in between feedings is alarming.

By Emdee on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 05:10 pm:

Here is a typical day for her (this just started sometime in the last few weeks):
8am: applesauce and nursing
11am: cereal and some baby food
12noon: try to give a bottle of expressed milk or nurse; if I nurse she will eat a minute or two and if I give the bottle she will eat an ounce or so.
3pm: nurse
5pm: baby food (1/3 jar veggies and 1/3 jar fruits, give or take some)
7pm: nurse

Then I will try to get another nursing time in before bed, although she may not take much. This is her doing--not mine. I try to feed her and she just won't take much. She had actually lost weight (1/2 pound over the month after Christmas) and she was eating better then. She has gained that back but I don't know where she is now--we go in to the ped in a week or so. As a first time mom I am always questioning things and the infrequent nursing concerned me. Thanks for the comments

By Pamt on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 05:31 pm:

Are you offering solids before you nurse? If not, that would be my first suggestion. She may be filling up on breastmilk and not hungry enough for solids. Also, at this age she can be eating some table foods that are mashed to a chunky consistency like cooked fruits and veggies, shredded and chopped chicken, crackers, cheerios, etc. My boys loved to eat bananas (cut into slices then cut each thin slice into fourths) coated in crushed graham crackers at this age. I nursed both of my boys until they were a year old and they were only nursing 2-3 times a day at this stage...usually first thing in the a.m., before nap, before bed. I'd nurse when they first woke up (~6 am), then they'd eat cereal about 8 am, lunch about 11ish (Baby food fruit, veggie, and meat), nurse, maybe crackers or cheerios after nap, baby food again for supper and then a nursing before bed. Also, are you using a sippy cup with her? If not, I'd strongly recommend starting her with that now. My ped. recommended starting at 4-5 months with watered down juice in a cup and my boys were pros by about 9 months...then you won't have to worry about weaning from the bottle later.

As for breastfed babies weighing less, I had really big breastfed babies, probably weighing about 16 lbs by 4 months. They were average at birth (7+ lbs) and are now tall and slender (1st and 4th gr). I'd just offer more variety, offer food before milk, and don't be afraid to try some table foods. Good luck!

By Amy~moderator on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 06:49 pm:

I think Pam had excellent advice all the way. Please do not persist with the bottle. I started my children on sippy cups when they were 7-9 mos old. Spare yourself the trouble of having to wean from the bottle when you can just cut right to the sippy cup. Give it some thought.

I breastfed also, and my routine was about the same as the one Pam described. 9 months was the age that I started to really introduce table foods. Do solids first before nursing so the baby is not too full from breastmilk.

I can totally relate to how you are feeling. 9 months is about the age where babies are starting to transition away from formula and breastmilk as a main source of nutrition. It's hard to balance breastfeeding and solids in order to make sure the baby is getting all that he/she needs. Good Luck!