Feeding FAQ: 4-6 months – Weaning

My 5 mth son seems to need more solids all the time, but it causes him to be restless and uncomfortable

Recently I have got to the stage where my son seems to be requiring large amounts of solids. Due to the fact he is only just 5 months old I have not introduced protein yet, however the amount of rice and fruit I give him at his 6 pm feed seems to becoming more and more. I am concerned that this is affecting his stools as they are slightly firmer than usual and he also seems to be windier and have stomach ache at times, especially during his light sleep periods. My son has always made stirring noises during his light sleep and he resettles himself, recently he seems to cry out although he goes back to sleep himself. It appears to be discomfort that is bothering him. He just does not seem as settled. I am positive it is not hunger as he would cry for me. He is also teething at the moment but I am unsure whether that is the cause.
Here is a summary of what he feeds daily so you can see if I am doing the right thing.
Between 7am and 8am, 8oz formula followed by 3tsps porridge oats mixed with formula and 2 cubes of apple, pear or peach puree.
Between 11am and 12am, 4 to 5ozs formula followed by 5-6 cubes of vegetables.
2.30 – 3pm – 6-7ozs formula milk
4pm offer water – does not always want this
6pm 9ozs formula feed followed by 6-8 tsps rice mixed with formula then mixed with 3 cubes of fruit puree.
10pm – 3ozs formula milk.
He weighs 16lbs.
My son naps at 9-10am, 12-2.30pm pm and 4.30-4.45/5pm.
Please advise me whether I should keep increasing the amount of rice and fruit puree as he gets hungrier or should I give tea at 5pm? Should I introduce protein at lunch? Or keep increasing the volume of vegetables? My son has infantile eczema so I am also concerned about weaning certain foods too early due to allergies. I hope you can help me as I want to have my contented little baby again.

It can be difficult when your baby enjoys eating his solids but seems to take too much to be really comfortable.

As your son already has infantile eczema you should not introduce protein before six months unless it is advised by your doctor. Giving protein too early can cause constipation and a baby reducing his milk intake. Coping with protein can put a strain on immature kidneys and digestive systems.

As your son does seem to be having a little trouble already with his digestion it would be worth giving him only peach or pear puree with his rice at 6pm, as cooked apple can sometimes be binding. If his discomfort is in the evening or early part of the night then giving your son his solids a bit earlier could help. You could split this tea-time feed by offering him half his solids at 5pm, a bath at 6pm and then his milk and the rest of his solids. By breaking the feed into two your son may feel more satisfied and not want to increase his rice and fruit much more. The amount he is taking now should be enough to satisfy him. If you do need to increase the solids then do so but in very small quantities.

At breakfast and lunch begin to use the “tier” method of feeding so he receives some milk, followed by solids and then finishes his milk. Once he is six months and taking protein, his milk feed at 11.30am will be replaced by water in a cup. Beginning to replace this feed with solids starts to happen during the six month. Look at page 25 of the Weaning Guide for a full description of this.

Make sure his lunchtime solids are carbohydrate rich. Three cubes need to be of sweet potato or potato and the other two made up from one or two other vegetables selected from the list of those which are suitable for his age. If he begins to need more vegetables at lunch continue to make the largest part of this meal from the carbohydrate as this will help fill him up.