when trying to wean him off the bottle and give him more solids, i give my vegetarian son at least a solid 24 oz of formula a day and mix a little with a huge bowl of oatmeal maybe 5 tbs of oatmeal or so a feeding a few times a day and a few tbs of fruit mixed in with it and he demands that i feed him the rest of the jar, is this unhealthy? i dont want his chances of becoming obese to be higher but he was born a big baby he wasnt fat just tall and over sized in general. And i want to start making lentils but i dont know how much i should feed him a day to give him the protein he needs
You don't have to worry about nutrients at this age--he gets all his protein and other nutrients from the formula still. You're not supplementing anything at 7 months, you're just letting him discover foods and new tastes/textures. I wouldn't worry about his weight right now, most babies pack on the pounds up until they start walking, because once he gets mobile chances are he'll be too busy exploring to eat as much and he'll lean out. You're not going to be able to wean him off formula until he's at least 12 months and has more teeth.
Sucks that he's not getting breast milk. Formula sucks. Setting that aside, he will ask for the food he wants. When he starts being able to grip with his thumb and forefinger, that's when he's ready for solids. He will notice the food you are eating and want to feed some to himself. He will decide his own portion size too. Don't give him access to candy, sweets, juice, etc. If he doesn't know that they exist, he won't crave them. This may require you to adjust your diet as well. Fruit is fine. Probably not the fruit cocktail crap that comes in syrup, though.
Lentils? I don't know about that one. Maybe someone will know if that's too early,but I wouldn't feed a baby lentils.
Generally, formula sucks. But in this case, at 7 months, breast milk is no longer an option--she's dried up. So there's really no point in guilt tripping, especially since you don't know why she doesn't/no longer breast feeds. I wouldn't formula feed my kid, but my nephew is a cardiac baby and he'd be dead if it weren't for formula. With all the abused kids out there who's parents don't feed them at all, there's no need to be so judgmental when someone uses formula.
Bananna,avocado,blueberries ,MILD cheese ,but not much,Organic Yogurt. We bought a food grinder and ground up organic veggies and fruits. I just don't think it's a good idea to give a baby lentils or any beans too early. I'm sure there are plenty of books around to help.-------
right now just focus on letting him try different foods...wait a few days in between each new food to make sure there are no allergies. like someone else mentioned, it isn't about nutrients right now but more about letting them explore various tastes. My baby is around the same age and he's tried sweet potatoes, bananas, applesauce, green beans, and carrots. We buy organic fruits and veggies and puree them in a food processor. I've seen organic baby food too if you don't have the energy for all that. I make eating very baby-led, I just keep giving him spoonfuls until he isn't interested anymore. He has lunch and dinner. My pediatrician said to wait a couple of months then throw breakfast in too.
I loved 7 months for food! I fed my baby pretty much everything. I'd make a good hearty beef (or venison) and barley soup, or minestrone soup once a week, blend a bunch, throw it in an ice cube tray, freeze it, then re-heat it and mix in some pablum to thicken. I'm trying to think if I avoided anything....I don't think so...if I could puree it, she ate it! Our quickie go to food was always organic apple sauce, mushed banana, and organic mum mum cookies. I would REALLY advise you that you keep juice away and sugary crap. As a sugar addict I know how horrible it is to be hooked on that crap, and I'm trying to keep my daughter from it as much as possible. (without being militant ) As for how much; darlin' you got a 7 month old - you let them eat until they're full. Don't force food or formula, let them eat as much as they want. If they want a second helping, let 'em! Just try not to let the munchkin fill up on formula, and then refuse the solids. Best of luck! ~ FlowerMama
Children stop eating when they are full. So take the lead from that. Choose healthy things for them to eat and when they stop allow that to be the measure of how much they eat.
