Solids are reducing our bottles

[ks23]

Hi, My son is 20 weeks old and on the advice of our pead we started solids about 3 weeks ago. My son loves them and we have vegies (sw potato, pumpkin, zuchini) and apple and pear purees. I also use farex with the apple once a day.

At first bub was taking all of his bottles and gradually increasing his solids. We are now up to around 2 tbsp of solids 3 times a day and his bottles have started decreasing- we have gone from 4 x 240mL bottles down to taking 200mL at 3 feeds and 240mL at the first. My bub is in the 97th percentile in weight at nearly 9kg dressed and 70cm in length. He also has medication for reflux which is why the paed ok'd solids early. So I was wondering how much milk we need at this age?

Kylie

[the pero clinic]

Dear ks23,


It sounds like your little guy is doing a very good job on solids and is growing well despite the reflux. Before 6 months, it is important that breast milk or formula forms the primary intake for bubs, and that milk feeds aren’t replaced by solids. This applies to bubs that have reflux and/or have started solids before 6 months (unless specifically advised by a health professional).

He should be having approximately 120mL of formula / kg weight each day – which for him works out to be around 1000-1100 mL in total each day. If he is only having 840mL at the moment, he is short about 1 bottle a day.

I would suggest decreasing the amount of solids he is having at each meal – he is about 2 months ahead of himself with quantities of solids and milk. Presumably his reflux is under control with the medication, and the introduction of solids may have also assisted your bub with this, so giving him more solids at each meals is not going to improve anything anymore.

There is still plenty of time for him to enjoy larger solid meals and snacks. Now is the time to ensure he is receiving the optimal balance of nutrients for his growth, health and development. At this age, breast milk or formula will provide much more than rice cereal or pumpkin.

It may take some adjustment, but the two of you will work out a milk / solids balance that suits you both.

the pero clinic