introducing solids/BF-FF question

kck329

We just got permission from C's nutritionist to start on solids. I'm waiting until next week when we talk to her pedi before trying just to make sure everyone is in agreement.

So my question is this--C is EBF and has been since her discharge. She has never had plain formula, only formula mixed with breastmilk for added calories. However, my freezer stash is lower than I'd like (we do one bottle a day to mix with her meds) and I'm wondering about using formula to mix her cereal instead of BM. I don't know anything about formula, I just don't to use the BM and then have to throw it away if she doesn't like the cereal.

Thoughts?  (I'm trying to pump more throughout the day to get the freezer stash back up as well.)

SushiNoMore

I pump for my son since I'm working, and what we're doing is using the very last of his last bottle of the day for his cereal.  You really only need a tiny amount for the first couple of feedings - a tablespoon or so (1/2 oz).  Gerber recommends using 5 tablespoons of milk with 1 tablespoon of cereal, but that makes a TON. 

Personally, I'd start with a tiny bit to see if she likes it.  Then, just increase the amount as she gets used to it. You won't need to give her much cereal, so you won't need much breastmilk.  And, you'll eventually be doing fruit and stuff, too, so it's not like you'll need breastmilk for that.  I've heard using breastmilk makes the transition to cereal easier, so 'd do that if you can.

Maybe once she gets in the groove, you could mix her meds into her cereal with the breastmilk?  I guess that'd only work if she polished off the whole thing, though...

Good luck!  It's lots of fun.  :-)

bhilyer

We started solids last weekend with the boys.  I'm using BM to mix, so I can't really help you there.  But I know the box for cereal says "mix with breastmilk or formula".

I was going to let you know that the boys liked actual food much more than cereal.  I used this website to figure out what to feed them first.

https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

So far we've tried bananas (H's favorite) and avocado (JS's favorite).

 

katie4253

Since it will be such a small amount of cereal, I'd mix it with formula.  She's used to the taste a bit (since she gets it with bm).  And,s he may not take to cereal.  I'd hate to see your milk go to waste.

kck329

Thanks ladies! I think I'll try using the BM at the end of her bottle and see how that goes. I don't really want to reintroduce formula since she hasn't had it for several months and I don't want to do anything that might further irritate her reflux.

Bhilyer-- thanks for the homemade food website! I was leaning toward starting with avocado and banana too but our nutritionist was pretty committed to us trying cereal first and then orange veggies next. I'll see what the pedi thinks though. (And if avocado turns out to be C's favorite it will confirm my suspicions that C and JS are actually the same baby....)