I have a 5 month old baby. I don't know how to do for making her eat. Since few days I began with some solid food, but she eats very little amount. Her doctor told me she should eat each 4 hours, but many times I was forced to feed her sometimes 6 or 8 hours after the last bottle. All that upset me a lot, and I believe my nerves aren't good for any of us. How should I arrange her meals? Can I give her solid food at night around 8 o'clock and later a bottle or it's not good for her digestion? During how many hours a baby can remain without food? What about the sugar? Should I add to the bottle? Thank you very much.
Laura Duperrin
santa fe/sta fe/Argentina
The same tension you feel about feeding your daughter is felt by many parents around the world. We instinctively know how important proper nutrition is for our babies, and we naturally feel concerned when we are not sure that they are getting what they need.
For most babies, the ideal diet for the first several months is breast milk or infant formula. The quantity gradually increases to about 32 ounces a day at about four months old. When an infant is getting enough milk but still seems hungry (particularly if she seems hungry when she observes you eating) it is probably a good time to start solid foods. For most babies this happens between 4 and 6 months old. Some babies are ready for solids as early as three months, but most still have a strong tongue thrust reflex at this age that makes it very difficult to keep food in the mouth. Some babies are not interested in solid foods until 6 months or later. Generally, parents will notice that their babies start to watch them eat with great interest. I find this to be a good sign of when a baby is ready for solid foods.
When we start solid foods at the 4 to 6 month age, we are doing so to help teach babies the skills that they need to eat. They still obtain the vast majority of their calories and nutrition from breast or formula feedings!
The first solid food is usually iron-fortified rice cereal, since it is so easy on babies' digestive systems. The first feedings may be at any time of day, but most families choose dinnertime. Either once or twice a day would be appropriate at her age. To begin, mix the cereal up so that it
is quite dilute. Help your daughter sit up, then feed her the cereal in a small spoon.
For the first several days, more is likely to end up on her face than in her mouth. As long as she seems interested, continue to move the spoon toward her mouth. When she loses interest, stop. It's best to let her set the amount. It's fine to offer her a bottle afterward.
If she gets upset or doesn't seem interested at all, go back to bottle feeding (or nursing) exclusively for a week or two, and then try again. There's certainly no rush before at least 6 months old. Even after she starts solids, she will get most of her calories and nutrients from what she drinks. If she seems frustrated because feeding solids is too slow, try giving her a little milk first to take the edge off her hunger. She may be more willing to make the effort then. You might also try switching to oatmeal or barley cereal. Occasionally a baby will take these better.
After solids have been introduced, she should continue to take 24 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula per 24 hours. It is not a good idea to add sugar or salt to her food or bottle (unless treating a specific problem). Most bottle-fed, 5-month-old babies will take 5- to 6-ounce bottles 4 to 6 times per day. They can often go 8 hours at a stretch once during a 24-hour period.
As long as she is happy and growing, you can relax. Feeding will progress naturally. There is no need to force her. If she is healthy, she will let you know if she is hungry and needing to eat.
