Feeding FAQ: 4-6 months – Weaning

My son of almost five months is always hungry, should I introduce protein?

My baby is always hungry! He gobbles up whatever is given to him and always wants more. He is very long so although his weight is high he is in proportion – he wears 9-12 month clothes. He weighs just over 9kgs. My eldest son at 7 years wears age 9-10 clothes and is very tall and I am nearly 6 foot. He seems not to be satisfied with what food he gets as he cannot go long between feeds. I make him last to the times shown but he drinks a bottle in 10-15 mins, and a slower teat causes fury. He sees his spoon/bowl in the dishwasher and is excited and opens his mouth thinking he will be fed!
When not hungry he is very happy, enjoys playing with 2 big brothers (7 and 5) and loves nursery (8-6 3 days a week, they follow his routine and are very good, both elder brothers went there so we know and trust them). Rolls around very active gurgles, grabs toys laughs etc.
Should I introduce protein? We are all vegetarians.

My son takes 8ozs at 7.15am, 10.30/45am and 2.15pm. He takes 6ozs at 6pm and 4-5ozs at 6.45pm

He eats 1 heaped tablespoon of sweet potato or potato mixed with 1tablespoon of carrot, butternut squash or parsnip and 1 baby yoghurt at “lunch” after his milk at 10.30am.

At 6pm he takes 2 tablespoons of rice mixed with 3ozs formula and mixed with 1 tablespoon of a vegetable different from that given at lunchtime.

He naps at 9.15-10am and 12.45-2pm. He sleeps from 7pm -7am

Protein is not usually introduced until the sixth month as a baby’s digestive system could be put under strain if given earlier. If you are planning to wean your son as a vegetarian, it would be advisable to seek advice from your Doctor or Health Visitor, especially if you feel you would like to start now. They should be able to tell you the correct combinations of plant proteins to use when offering a totally vegetarian diet to a baby. If you have successfully weaned your two older boys this way you will know already, but still check for his age.

Have you tried breaking mid feed with your son? A baby who drinks too fast may not feel satisfied and so appear to be still hungry. It is the same as with adults who should take at least 20 minutes to eat a main meal in order to feel full. Stopping mid feed and letting your son have a ten to fifteen minute kick could help him slow down a little. He may not like this idea at first but it is worth trying, especially if his brothers could be used to distract him while he waits.

To help him feel more satisfied with his lunchtime solids, increase the amount of carbohydrate vegetable given so it is at least one third more than the other vegetable mixed with it.

Once he is five months you could introduce a breakfast cereal to him. Choose one which is wheat and gluten free. This should be given to him after his morning milk. Once he has been having this for about two weeks begin to use the “tier” method for feeding. This means you would give him two thirds of his milk first, then his cereal and then offer him the final part of his milk. Once your son is established onto cereal you maybe able to start moving his lunchtime on towards 11.30am and also begin to use the “tier method” at this meal. This will prepare him for dropping this milk feed once protein is fully established at this meal.