How do you know your older baby is getting enough BM?

Traycee1242

We have always EBF...  In the beginninng it was so easy. I counted diapers and could rest assured he was getting plenty. We also had frequent checkups so I also knew he was gaining weight, etc.

Now that he's older (10.5 months) he eats SO many solids and finger foods... what do I go by? How do I know he's getting enough BM?

We don't give juice... but he drinks a couple of ounces of water a day with his meals. I make all his purees so there's a decent amount of liquid in those. Which would keep his diapers wet...

In the last few days his appetitie has seem to have doubled... I just feel for his age he eats A LOT. He is so mobile now, almost walking so I'm sure with all the calories he's burning he needs the extra food... It just worries me that my supply is down and he's making up for it by eating more.

He BF's 5x a day for 6-8 min total at a time.

Any tips? I read something on kellymom.com and it was just "as long as diapers are wet and baby is gaining weight, etc" Is that all to go by?

 

Missbollinger

DS2 (15 months) does the same as your LO, he nursed between 5-10 mins 6-7 times a day and eats a lot during the day.  The boy is a monster, he weighs close to 30lbs now and we've only just cut down to 4oz of milk and 4 nursing sessions a day.  

He will come to you if he isn't getting enough food or Breastmilk.  I found he would whine and want to sit with me so he can nurse, we were on a schedule and we still are but because we are weaning too I go by his cues if he wants to nurse or not. 

JLPT830

Our pedi always encouraged me to BF before offering solids to make sure he was filling up on milk and not food.  I don't know that that answers your question.  I always struggled with the same thing.

KristenBtobe

I agree, I'd nurse before offering solids.  

hannah&ben

As long as he's having enough wet diapers and gaining weight!  That's really it!

And, your supply may be going down but at his age it's sort of normal.... as they get closer to a year they naturally start to take in more calories from solids... it's ok... it's the very beginnings of 'self weaning'.  That doesn't mean he'll stop nursing any time soon though!  

Henry is still EBF on demand.. he nurses when he wakes up in the morning, before both naps, once in the evening, and before bed plus once or twice at night.  So 5X during the day just like your little guy.  His night nursing is mainly for comfort and only lasts about 5 minutes.

Henry also eats an enormous amount of food some days!  He eats a larger variety and quantity of foods than Jack (my 5 year old!) eats.  For example - this morning (after nursing) he ate 5 strawberries cut up, a 4 oz. container of yogurt, and a handful of kix.  Last night for dinner (right after nursing) he ate 1/4 of a whole wheat bagel, about 2 oz. of turkey cut up, about 1 oz. of cheese cut up, 3 strawberries cut up, and a small handful of those little Annie's bunny grahams.  He's a machine!  I have no idea where he puts it... but it doesn't stop him from nursing plenty.  I also give him a sippy of water with each meal.

I think you're little guy sounds right on track for his age!  You're doing a great job!

Hannah

vbmeg

He sounds right on track with Sam. He nurses 4 times a day (5-10 mins at a time) and every once in a while once during the night. He gets 3 meals a day and he has yet to refuse any food:-) Like your DS he is close to walking and is constantly moving so I'm sure he is burning lots of calories.