Infant Feeding (8-11 Mo. Age Range) And The Food Program. Opinions?

[melilley]

I know this sounds like a silly question or a question that I should know the answer to, but I am just not so sure on this! I have been feeding infants for over 14 years, I have a 10 year old and an 8 mo. old. I just fed the daycare babies what the parents told me when I worked in a center and honestly don't remember what or when they ate and at what ages. I am on the food program and when a child turns 8 months, you have to give solids for Breakfast and Lunch and then for the snacks, breast milk or formula. Ok, I understand the snacks because it is the liquids, but it's the breakfast and lunch that I have a question about.

Do you think that that babies who are, say, in the 8-9 (maybe 10) month span need to have both a breakfast and lunch that consists of solids, plus a dinner? Plus my son only will eat 4, maybe 5 ounces of formula at a time and I would rather have him eat the formula, after all, don't babies get most of their nutrients from the formula or breast milk?

I ask this because I give my son solids for breakfast and dinner and he eats both a whole tub or an equivalent of and cereal for each. I don't see the reasoning of giving solids for lunch. I would rather have him and the kids in my care eat more of the formula or breast milk than anything. Am I wrong in thinking this?

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

You only have to give solids when the parent is ready. Just because it says it, it will still accept your entry without the items.

[melilley]

You only have to give solids when the parent is ready. Just because it says it, it will still accept your entry without the items.

Oh I see, I didn't realize that! Thank you!

[Heidi]

At 8 months, you must offer the a protein and a vegie/fruit at b,l, and d to claim them. But, you only need to offer the minimum. So, why not give him just a little bit, then a bottle? Or the bottle first, then a little food? I don't have it in front of me, but it's only 1 or 2 tablespoons of each required, I think.

Personally, by 8 months most of mine are just about eating what everyone else is eating, but it's your baby, and you should choose.

[melilley]

At 8 months, you must offer the a protein and a vegie/fruit at b,l, and d to claim them. But, you only need to offer the minimum. So, why not give him just a little bit, then a bottle? Or the bottle first, then a little food? I don't have it in front of me, but it's only 1 or 2 tablespoons of each required, I think.

Personally, by 8 months most of mine are just about eating what everyone else is eating, but it's your baby, and you should choose.

That is true, it is only a couple of tablespoons. I wouldn't mind giving him the lunch, but he only eats around 4 ounces of formula at a time even if I wait longer to feed him. I guess I was just worried that he is not getting enough formula. Do your babies eat table food from the food that you make the older children? How do they do with it? I have been slowly introducing some to my son, but I think I am too much of a worrier and am afraid that he will choke.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

http://www.amazon.com/Boon-Squirt-Dispensing-Spoon-Orange/dp/B000WEHO76

I have one of these and love it! Makes spoon feeding easier!
Generally between 9-10 months mine are eating Cheerios, bananas etc. when you add cereal they will take less formula. But the goal is around a year for them to be drinking from a cup only and that means drinking less and eating more. My little ones turned a year February and they eat what I put on their trays and drink from a cup.

[Heidi]

That is true, it is only a couple of tablespoons. I wouldn't mind giving him the lunch, but he only eats around 4 ounces of formula at a time even if I wait longer to feed him. I guess I was just worried that he is not getting enough formula. Do your babies eat table food from the food that you make the older children? How do they do with it? I have been slowly introducing some to my son, but I think I am too much of a worrier and am afraid that he will choke.

Yes, she eats just about everything, unless it has peanut butter (allergies), honey (spores), yogurt (cultures), all of which are considered no-nos.

Meat I'm careful with..must be pretty chopped up. No raw vegies yet, of course. Apples I peeled, chopped, and steamed in the microwave for a minute to soften.

Smaller than bite size is good, little pieces "sprinkled" around, not a pile. Mine will cram a whole handful in. She also loves toast, and that I just give her a half piece of bread so she can learn to bite it off. Stay close at first. Heck, your probably there anyway. Just keep an extra-close eye out.

BTW, this little one has never drank more than 4 oz of formula at a time for me, even before table foods. She just doesn't drink alot. For a long time, I always offered formula first, then food. Now, since she is part time and sometimes gets fussy before lunch time (not on same schedule at home), I give her a bottle to hold her over. Still won't drink more than 2-3 oz most times, even if she's famished. But...put some pasta in front of her and holy cow!

[melilley]

Yes, she eats just about everything, unless it has peanut butter (allergies), honey (spores), yogurt (cultures), all of which are considered no-nos.

Meat I'm careful with..must be pretty chopped up. No raw vegies yet, of course. Apples I peeled, chopped, and steamed in the microwave for a minute to soften.

Smaller than bite size is good, little pieces "sprinkled" around, not a pile. Mine will cram a whole handful in. She also loves toast, and that I just give her a half piece of bread so she can learn to bite it off. Stay close at first. Heck, your probably there anyway. Just keep an extra-close eye out.

BTW, this little one has never drank more than 4 oz of formula at a time for me, even before table foods. She just doesn't drink alot. For a long time, I always offered formula first, then food. Now, since she is part time and sometimes gets fussy before lunch time (not on same schedule at home), I give her a bottle to hold her over. Still won't drink more than 2-3 oz most times, even if she's famished. But...put some pasta in front of her and holy cow!

Thanks! I know I shouldn't be worried, my son is growing like he is supposed to. I guess I shouldn't worry so much, if he is thirsty he will drink! He does use a sippy pretty well! I saw that you don't give yogurt, I have always wondered why they make those foods for babies when they can't have milk yet!

[Heidi]

Thanks! I know I shouldn't be worried, my son is growing like he is supposed to. I guess I shouldn't worry so much, if he is thirsty he will drink! He does use a sippy pretty well! I saw that you don't give yogurt, I have always wondered why they make those foods for babies when they can't have milk yet!

They can have milk...but should not, because formula is more nutritious. I think that's why they say "no milk" in the first year, and make it seem like it has something to do with allergies. Since most formula is milk based, that doesn't make sense. BUT...if they said "milk is fine", parents would want to save money and not buy formula. They still need formula until they are eating a wide variety of foods, because milk doesn't have the nutritional qualities of formula (or human milk).

So, cheese is ok, egg yolks are ok, but not whites. Yogurt has live cultures and is therefore not recommended for children under 1. THere is a "baby yogurt" where I think they kill off the live cultures.

[melilley]

They can have milk...but should not, because formula is more nutritious. I think that's why they say "no milk" in the first year, and make it seem like it has something to do with allergies. Since most formula is milk based, that doesn't make sense. BUT...if they said "milk is fine", parents would want to save money and not buy formula. They still need formula until they are eating a wide variety of foods, because milk doesn't have the nutritional qualities of formula (or human milk).

So, cheese is ok, egg yolks are ok, but not whites. Yogurt has live cultures and is therefore not recommended for children under 1. THere is a "baby yogurt" where I think they kill off the live cultures.

Oh, that makes sense! I should know these things, now I know! Thanks!

[melilley]

http://www.amazon.com/Boon-Squirt-Di.../dp/B000WEHO76

I have one of these and love it! Makes spoon feeding easier!
Generally between 9-10 months mine are eating Cheerios, bananas etc. when you add cereal they will take less formula. But the goal is around a year for them to be drinking from a cup only and that means drinking less and eating more. My little ones turned a year February and they eat what I put on their trays and drink from a cup.

What a need invention! I don't mind spoon feeding, but this looks like it would be a lot less messier!

[MamaBearCanada]

Do what you feel comfortable with but in Canada and England yoghurt can be introduced between 6-8months. It is the cultures in the yoghurt that make it safe as they break down the lactose which is what makes milk a problem. I read that the AAP former chairman said yogurt is safe after 6 months too.

http://www.babycenter.com/408_when-can-my-baby-eat-yogurt_1368506.bc?startIndex=50

I really like the wholesome baby site for food and recipes.

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/tipYogurt.htm#.UVV03ol5mc0

Yoghurt has been a favourite for my kids.

[melilley]

Do what you feel comfortable with but in Canada and England yoghurt can be introduced between 6-8months. It is the cultures in the yoghurt that make it safe as they break down the lactose which is what makes milk a problem. I read that the AAP former chairman said yogurt is safe after 6 months too.

http://www.babycenter.com/408_when-can-my-baby-eat-yogurt_1368506.bc?startIndex=50

I really like the wholesome baby site for food and recipes.

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/tipYogurt.htm#.UVV03ol5mc0

Yoghurt has been a favourite for my kids.

Thanks for the website links! I belong to Babycenter and love it and the other website is awesome! I

[AmyKidsCo]

At 8 months, you must offer the a protein and a vegie/fruit at b,l, and d to claim them. But, you only need to offer the minimum. So, why not give him just a little bit, then a bottle? Or the bottle first, then a little food? I don't have it in front of me, but it's only 1 or 2 tablespoons of each required, I think.

Personally, by 8 months most of mine are just about eating what everyone else is eating, but it's your baby, and you should choose.

Ditto - you only need to OFFER the minimum. If baby isn't ready for solids yet I'd make up the minimum and if he/she refuses it I'd call it a day.

Usually to make the transition from baby food to "real" food I feed baby food first, then put "real" food on the tray for them to explore. After a week or so I give them the "real" food first, when they're hungry, then when they lose interest I feed them the baby food. Eventually they get more "real" food than baby food, until the point that you can discontinue the baby food entirely.