Is it enough?

[tweedledee*tweedledum]

My 6 and a half month daughter has been tasting various pureed vegies and fruits for approx 4 weeks now. She only has about an ice cube worth (if that!). Is that enough at this age? Also, I tried to introduce a beef and vegies combo which was pureed and she was horrified! How do you successfully introduce meat? Also her formula feeds have dropped down also, she now is only drinking approx 150ml, three times a day, she was having between 210 and 270ml prior to about a week ago. She has just gotten her first bottom tooth poking thru so could teething be the reason for the drop off?

[the pero clinic]

Dear Tweedledee*tweedledum,


Teething can turn bubs off their usual feeding routines, but it is always advisable to seek medical advice if your little one continues to take considerably less formula than usual – in case there is another underlying medical issue for their loss of appetite.

If your bub has been taking solids for around a month, then you should be building up to a couple of tablespoons 2-3 times a day. It is not surprising though, that she is only eating small amounts of solids if she isn’t hungry for formula either.

There isn’t any real trick to introducing meat or other particular types of food tastes. Some bubs will prefer single tastes to begin with – such as just beef or just one type of vegetable, while others like a mixture of tastes. It is probably just a case of trial and error to begin with to find what your baby likes. You could also try just adding very small tastes of meat to spoons of a favourite vegetable, gradually increasing the amount of meat.

All in all, I would say that you priority at the moment is getting your bub back to her usual levels of formula for nutrition and hydration – and don’t worry too much about solid types and amounts until her bottle feeds are back on track. Remember to see a doctor if your daughter is becoming hydrated or continues to take minimal formula.

the pero clinic