Is This True?!

[Unregistered]

I have a 5 month old who drinks breastmilk. He wants to eat every 1-1 1/2 hours on average. Sometimes it's only 45 minutes between bottles and the longest he goes is 2 hours between. I have asked DCM about increasing the amount he is offered to try and get him to go longer between feedings. Mom says he only needs 3 oz. at a time because her breastmilk changes over time to accommodate his needs? I don't understand what this means. Has anyone ever been told this by a breastfeeding mom? She did say this morning I can try feeding him 4 oz at a time, but not any more than that.

[Ariana]

Her breast milk changes over time to accommodate the baby growing but it’s not something that would affect him on a daily basis so I am not sure what she is thinking an extra ounce would do!

[Indoorvoice]

It's true if the baby is eating directly from the breast, but since you're feeding pumped milk that makes no sense. She has no idea what time of day her pumped milk is from and it would be impossible to time that when bottle feeding. It's probably that she is having trouble pumping enough and doesn't want you to feed more so that she doesn't run out.

[Cat Herder]

5-month-olds, here, are generally taking between 6-8 ounces, cereals, veggies and fruits.

https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/community-nutrition/pdf/cacfp_infants_component_handout.pdf

[lovemykidstoo]

He's 5 months old and is only eating 3 oz at a time? Whoa!!! I have a 6 month old and is eating 7 ounces along with cereal, fruit and veges.

[Ac114]

It's true if the baby is eating directly from the breast, but since you're feeding pumped milk that makes no sense. She has no idea what time of day her pumped milk is from and it would be impossible to time that when bottle feeding. It's probably that she is having trouble pumping enough and doesn't want you to feed more so that she doesn't run out.

Exactly this! If baby is feeding directly from her breast then the milk does change but she is pumping so that doesn’t apply. Also, breastfed babies don’t drink as much as formula fed babies do but I would definitely increase the feeding to 4oz and see if that helps baby last a little linger between feedings.

[Blackcat31]

She did say this morning I can try feeding him 4 oz at a time, but not any more than that.

Most states don't allow providers to with hold food from an infant. I'd ask mom to bring a feeding plan that a doctor has had some input on.

I'd be really uncomfortable not allowing baby to eat when hungry

[Unregistered]

Most states don't allow providers to with hold food from an infant. I'd ask mom to bring a feeding plan that a doctor has had some input on.

I'd be really uncomfortable not allowing baby to eat when hungry

I don't withhold from feeding him. I currently feed him 3 oz at time. He wants to eat every 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Talked to mom about increasing oz/feeding to see if that helps with the frequency in which he eats. I feel like all I do is spend my time feeding him. Yesterday he had 15 oz between 9:30-3:30 with me feeding him five 3 oz bottles.
Mom also mentioned that her chiropractor told her that infants can't digest grains? Because of this, they don't want him to have infant cereal until he is close to a year old. I also care for their 3 year old, but she didn't start with me until she was over a year old.

[happymom]

Both my children only ate 3-4oz of breastmilk at a time from about 4-12 months. When they were younger, I'd send 4 3oz bottles and as they got older I sent 3 4oz bottles. I had to pump 3x at work and once before I went to bed in order to make this happen.

I don't want to assume, but around that age it starts to become hard to pump more than that. Especially if mom is only pumping at work.

I always relied on this resource to help me plan my bottles.

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

[Blackcat31]

I don't withhold from feeding him. I currently feed him 3 oz at time. He wants to eat every 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Talked to mom about increasing oz/feeding to see if that helps with the frequency in which he eats. I feel like all I do is spend my time feeding him. Yesterday he had 15 oz between 9:30-3:30 with me feeding him five 3 oz bottles.
Mom also mentioned that her chiropractor told her that infants can't digest grains? Because of this, they don't want him to have infant cereal until he is close to a year old. I also care for their 3 year old, but she didn't start with me until she was over a year old.

Oh, gottcha... I thought mom was asking that you with hold feeding him only a specific amount. Now I understand what you mean.

As for cereal, it's becoming the norm now to skip infant cereal all together.

[happymom]

I don't withhold from feeding him. I currently feed him 3 oz at time. He wants to eat every 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Talked to mom about increasing oz/feeding to see if that helps with the frequency in which he eats. I feel like all I do is spend my time feeding him. Yesterday he had 15 oz between 9:30-3:30 with me feeding him five 3 oz bottles.
Mom also mentioned that her chiropractor told her that infants can't digest grains? Because of this, they don't want him to have infant cereal until he is close to a year old. I also care for their 3 year old, but she didn't start with me until she was over a year old.

At 5 months he doesn't need infant cereal. Babies do not need infant cereal. There are thousands of real foods that are better to feed to a baby

[happymom]

Ooops, sorry BC - your post hadn't loaded yet

[Cat Herder]

A chiropractor should not be giving advice about infants nutrition. Those conversations should be taking place with the child's' pediatrician.

Boxed Infant Cereal is not required. Whole grain breads and cereals are on the USDA food program infant feeding requirements.

I do not offer processed infant cereals. I offer whole oats, grits, ground flax seed and quinoa cooked down from scratch. I also make my own purees from steamed fresh vegetables and fruits.

Having to feed an infant every two hours in group childcare because a measurement chart is viewed as more important than the child being satiated is an unrealistic expectation.

If the child is showing signs of fullness at 3 ounces, then sure, 3 ounces is plenty. If he is still sucking fiercely at the end of a bottle he needs more per feeding.

[happymom]

Boxed Infant Cereal is not required. Whole grain breads and cereals are on the USDA food program infant feeding requirements.

Not required for a 5 month old though.

[happymom]

Oh but she said no grains until 12 months??? No grains at all??

Sorry CatHerder, you are right!