I wasn't going to start until 5.5-6mos but he was ready sooner so I went for it. I want to take it super slow because I'm very interested in continuing to EBF until 6mos (and then taper off to formula if need be) but the boy is eating waaaay more than I imagined he would! If I wouldn't stop the session, he'd eat an entire 2oz jar of stage 1 food that has been mixed with oatmeal (so that's like 3ozs). He just keeps chasing the spoon with his little mouth opened like a baby bird lol.
I'm not used to this. I remember it taking 3 days for DD to finish 1 container of stage 1 food but my son is willing to do it in one sitting.
I'm now nervous lol. Do I let him eat until he's decided he's done, and risk my supply? Do I assume these must be the extra calories he needs to sustain his 20lb-ness and assume my supply will be fine? Do I stop him eating or maybe give him things he won't want to inhale so fast (like peas for instance)? instead?
I'm feeding him 1hr after nursing and that's usually about 2hrs before the next. Any advice?
Re: Any EBFers who started solids around 4.5mos?
We started DS on solids right at 4mo. I actually haven't noticed a change in my supply at all. He'll go about an hour longer between nursing sessions when he eats solids, but that's the only change that i've noticed in his eating habits.
I think BF babies usuallly eat around 24oz/day. As long as he's still getting about that amount, I wouldn't worry about it.
And, to the PP that asked about the Dr's ok...my pedi was fine with it. She said that they recommend waiting because a lot of babies stop taking as much BM/formula when they start solids and it's a concern since BM/formula is their main source of nutrition. I've never heard anything about intestinal infections b/c of starting closer to 4mo rather than 6mo.
Wow...I wish...mine eats 36oz a day. I can barely keep up with my supply so we are introducing cereal but he is still eating the same amount. I was told once solids start he would slowly taper off eating so much, which I am really hoping for my sanity.
DS - 5/2010
DD - 6-2013
TTC #3 - Cycle #9
Gavin has never been able to take more than 4oz in a bottle so I'm sure he's at about the 25oz/day range, as you state, pp. So far my supply seems fine but when I started DD (2yrs ago) I remember wanting to pretty much stop BFing as soon as possible anyway and move to FF so it was no biggie to me if my supply tanked. Figures, she barely ate a 1/3 of a container for months on end. In contrast, I'd really like to stay EBF until 5.5/6mos and here my son seems he could eat 3x a day, a container a sitting! lol