Okay, first a little background, to better explain the situation. DD was an identical twin, but her sister was stillborn. They were born seven weeks early, and so far she hasn't really seemed to take any longer than "average" to hit some of her milestones. She can roll over (from back to belly and belly to back), sit up when propped, etc. She's (nearly) exclusively breastfed. What we've been doing is giving her a couple of bottles of formula a day with her vitamins, but other than that, it's all the boob. Oh, and she's about four months old now. They were born October 3.
Anyway, first question; While she is gaining weight steadily, she isn't gaining much. I've done a lot of reading online and the general consensus is that nursing bubs gain weight slower than formula-fed bubs. I don't have an issue with this, except for the fact that she is no longer eating every two to three hours every day. Sometimes she can go up to four hours at a time between feeding, though I don't like to let her go that long. My question is whether or not I should be taking a more aggressive approach to feeding her. Whenever I offer, she seems eager to nurse, and generally takes upwards of half an hour at a time, so I know she's actually eating. What I'm trying to say, I guess, is should I try to feed her more often, or just let her eat whenever, so long as she doesn't go longer than four hours.
Second question; We recently went out to supper this weekend, and I had her in my lap because she was fussing at being in the carseat. I was eating a salad and had her facing the table. She didn't really try to reach for it, but she was just staring really intently. She's also been watching me eat a lot lately. I wasn't sure if this was because she's beginning to pay more attention to everything that's going on, or if she's genuinely reaching the age where she's ready for solids. The handout from her four month checkup did have a section on solids in the feeding portion, and had a list of "signs" of readiness. Ability to sit up independently, loss of the spitting reflex, ect. What I'd like to know is... is it possible that she's ready, or almost ready for solids? I know everyone says six months is the magic number, but I figure every baby is different.
For your first question, as long as she's gaining steady weight, has enough wet & dirty nappies, I'd say she'd be getting enough into her She'd be getting a good amount at each feed by now
With solids, personally, I waited til my younger 2 could sit, hold the food & feed themselves. I did Baby Led Solids with mine I think for all my girls that was between 5 & 6 months, for DS between 6 & 7 months. I did start my older 2 at 4 months, but I didn't know any different.
You sound like you are doing a wonderful job so far! Congrats!
WRT milk intake - if her weight gains are consistent, she is probably getting enough milk. There are some other things you can look out for - how many wet/dirty nappies in 24 hours?
When you say she can go up to 4 hours between feeds, how many feeds would you say that works out to, within say 24 hours? Ideally you'd like her to be getting 8-10 feeds in 24 hours, which generally works out to a bit more frequently than 4 hourly.
Is she generally happy and contented? How does she look - eyes bright? Good skin tone?
If she's ticking all these boxes then she's probably getting enough milk, but if you are concerned, offering the breast more frequently is the best way to increase her milk intake
WRT introducing solids - just because she watches doesn't necessarily mean she's ready to start eating! My kids love my car keys but they aren't ready to drive yet!
Current research (Aust BF Assoc as well as WHO) indicates that exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months is ideal. It might be best to wait a little longer yet.
What I meant was that she can sometimes go up to four hours before she starts acting hungry. Generally, though, I try to offer the breast before she reaches that point. Amusingly enough, after I posted this, she's started acting hungry between every two to three hours. I do believe she's hitting another growth spurt! But yes, in general, she's a very happy baby. She has good skintone and the brightest blue eyes I've ever seen in a baby. Mmm, I'd say she has anywhere from eight to ten wet diapers in a day, but sometimes she can go as long as five days between dirty ones.... which her doctor has assured us is perfectly normal in nursing babies. Is that right, or should I be concerned? Her stools are generally mustard-y looking, and not like pellets, which I know would be a cause for concern, but the only oddity is the fact that she doesn't go every day, anymore.
Haha, that's a very good point about the car keys! Don't worry, she won't be getting a crack at either vehicle until she's much older... LOL! Anyway, I just wasn't completely sure about the solids. I think the handout the doctor gave us confused me with its blurb about the cereals. She's not sitting up completely on her own yet, so I think what I'll do is wait until she can do that, at least. She's due for a six month checkup as well, so if the doctor mentions it then, I'll see what he has to say, but other than that, I'll hold off on anything dramatic! Thanks for the comments, guys! I've been following this forum for a while, but this is really the first time I'd posted anything.
That's right, the frequency of bowel movements isn't a concern as long as the consistancy is as you describe and it sounds like a great amount of wet nappies. I think at this age I would be following her lead in regards to feeding, it isn't unusual for them to have a few longer stretches at this age and their weight gains do tend to start slowing. Sounds as though things are going really well and I think waiting on solids is a good decision.
hi & glad to see you're posting - it's addictive though so watch out!!!
the only concern with a number of days between dirty nappies is the explosion when it does arrive my DS used to go up to 7 or 8 days between dirty nappies & i've heard of other BF babies going for even longer!
i found that the watching food stage started a good 1-2 months before my DS was really ready to try solids. i think because it happens in conjunction, as you said, with them becoming more & more aware of & interested in what's going on around them that's it's easy to take it as a sign that they are actually ready to eat. we also did baby led solids for the most part.
it sounds like she's getting the right amount of milk...she sounds bright, alert & with a good number of wet & dirty nappies
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Just a couple questions!
She'd be getting a good amount at each feed by now
my DS used to go up to 7 or 8 days between dirty nappies & i've heard of other BF babies going for even longer!
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