Since birth my baby has been slow to gain weight, but is content
My son has always had quite slow weight gain (4oz a week on average) but is perfectly contented and happy. He feeds and sleeps really well. My H.V. made me worry that this wasn’t enough and advised drastically increasing the amount of solids he is eating. I am following Gina’s weaning book guidelines religiously and I am confused about whether increasing amounts too quickly is a good idea. Could it put him off his next feed or reduce the amount of milk he is taking? I am on day 13 of weaning, and would like to know whether increasing the amounts given is a good idea, and if it is, which feeds should be increased and by how much. I feel like he would definitely like more at each sitting as he cries and looks annoyed when it is all over! I am so worried about doing it wrong, that I feel like I’m not doing it right!
At present my son weighs about 15lbs. He is exclusively breast fed and weaned at 18 weeks. At present he takes 1 cube of vegetable at 11am and 2 tsp baby rice with 1 cube of pear at 6pm. He has a small drink of juice at 4pm. He takes 5 feeds a day, at 10pm he takes 7.5oz of expressed milk.
In order to maintain the right balance of solids and milk for your son, begin to increase the amount he is given at lunch time to 2 cubes. Once you begin to offer carbohydrates such as potato mixed with a vegetable, 2 cubes at least will be needed at this time and gradually you can increase the amount given as your son grows.
In the early stages of weaning it still is important to offer milk first so your son does not cut back too much, but in the second month of the plan you will see that the “tier” method is introduced where only half the milk is given, followed by solids and then milk offered at the end if still wanted.
As “lunch” increases, the milk offered at this time very gradually decreases. By 6 months when protein is introduced, this feed will be replaced by water or well diluted juice.
Begin to offer 1-2tsp more rice at 6pm but also increase the amount of pear and apple that is offered to prevent constipation.
Whilst maintaining a steady weight gain is important, every baby has their own individual rate. This is especially true for breast-fed babies who may not always gain weight in steady amounts on a weekly basis, unlike many formula-fed babies. Be guided by your son’s needs. As long as he remains content and sleeps well then offer him a small amount more at mealtimes, as he is obviously enjoying his solids.