Ask Me Help Desk - Am I feeding my baby too much?

My daughter is 7 months today. I am still breastfeeding at least 5 times a day and she is also on solids. Since she has been 6 months, she eats 3 meals a day of solids. She normally has at least two Stage 2 jars plus small amount of cereal at each feeding (most of the time). Many times she acts like she wants more, but I am afraid to give her too much. She has a lot of energy and is growing appropriately, but she obviously is not gaining too much weight. She is crawling all over the place and pulling herself to stand and trying to move around furniture and maybe that is why she is not gaining too much. Is this okay? Thanks

She seems to be quite healthy. Congrats on taking care of her and being concerned about your role as a parent. So many parents seem to not be as concerned as you are. It takes a lot of work and energy for her to do all that she is doing. If your baby doctor has not expressed any concern on her weight, then continue as you have. Again your love and constant care will ensure her a healthy and enjoyable life. --- Ace

Baby's have a pretty high metabolism, and are always getting into things. So long as your doctor tells you that she is gaining enough, Iwouldnt worry. The nurses at the clinic that I use to take my son to for his shots and wellbaby check up use to tell me that he was too skinny. I asked my doctor about it, because I felt that he was just fine. Nice and chubby in all the right ways a baby should be. She gave me a funny look and laughed and said that the people at the clinic had no idea what they were talking about because he was growing very well, and was in fact in the higher percentile of height and in his weight. She said that he was perfectly balanced and not to listen to others. She said that motherly instict is always the way to go. You know your baby better then anyone else. So you can't always trust what others around you might say either, no matter how well meaning they might be. Baby's are always a little chubby in their early years, and as they continue growing up, they change in miraculous ways. I look back at pics of my son (now 2) and I think, wow, he's grown so much in so many ways. You just don't even realize it. Growing at the rate that they do, it uses up a lot of energy and therefore they need more food to compensate. It sounds as though you are doing a wonderful job. Just keep it up. Let your daughters cues be your guidance. Good luck and best wishes

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama713

My daughter is 7 months today. I am still breastfeeding at least 5 times a day and she is also on solids. Since she has been 6 months, she eats 3 meals a day of solids. She normally has at least two Stage 2 jars plus small amount of cereal at each feeding (most of the time). Many times she acts like she wants more, but I am afraid to give her too much. She has a lot of energy and is growing appropriately, but she obviously is not gaining too much weight. She is crawling all over the place and pulling herself to stand and trying to move around furniture and maybe that is why she is not gaining too much. Is this okay? Thanks

Thanks to both Ace and Buggage. I truly appreciate your feedback and encouragement. Her pediatrician tells me she is doing great and growing fine (~50th percentile for weight and 65th for height), but sometimes I hear from some of my friends of how "tiny" she is so I get worried even though she eats a lot! She has always been very active and I believe that her body type is going to be like my husband's. I just want to make sure that I am doing okay being that this is our first child. Best wishes to you as well...

Mama, you are doing GREAT!! You don't want to overfeed and get her overweight and risk Diabetes. If the pediatrician is happy then you should be happy too.

Don't let other people sway you in what you do with your baby. She just may be small in stature. This can be a very good thing if she does eat healthy.

Plus, when it isn't your baby, other baby's always seem so small. (esp if they haven't had kids themselves) So always let your instinct and your pediatrician be your guide. You are one of the great moms that really cares about their kids health and wants to make sure they have the best start (unlike those moms on maury that let their kids get up to hundreds of pounds before they are even out of diapers, or past 5. )Keep up the good work, and trust your know how as this little cuties momma. Best wishes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama713

My daughter is 7 months today. I am still breastfeeding at least 5 times a day and she is also on solids. Since she has been 6 months, she eats 3 meals a day of solids. She normally has at least two Stage 2 jars plus small amount of cereal at each feeding (most of the time). Many times she acts like she wants more, but I am afraid to give her too much. She has a lot of energy and is growing appropriately, but she obviously is not gaining too much weight. She is crawling all over the place and pulling herself to stand and trying to move around furniture and maybe that is why she is not gaining too much. Is this okay? Thanks

My baby girl is 6 1/2 months old. Right now I feed her 4- 7oz bottles, 4tbsp of cereal in the am, 3 tbsp of veggies at lunch, 3 tbsp fruit at 3pm feeding and then another 4 tbsp cereal at night. She is a healthy eater and I think she wants more but am afraid too. What are your thoughts?

I agree with all previous posts, you know if your baby is doing well, you will also notice as she gets older if she is gaining too much weight, go off your own instincts.

My daughter also is very slim and we worried about the same issues as you. Don't worry, if she's full of energy then she's OK. Darn it, she may just be saddled with growing up tall and thin. :)