Breakfast or not?
- Thread starter a mum
- Start date
Hi,
One might think that because he is on the 97th %ile, he is big. What %ile is he for length. If he is on the 97th as well, then perfect! That is what we want to see. Growth charts are just a guide for babies growth, they are an average of babies weight/length for age. There are several different growth charts out and are there based on different ethnic groups. We would like to see infant near the same percentiles for both length and weight.
That being said, I think even if he is on the big side and is interested in having more at breakfast, then offer it to him. I suggest giving him solids first and then offering him his formula/breastfeed after. He will regulate how much he needs.
Let me know if I can provide anymore assistance.
Denise Fair, MSc RD
One might think that because he is on the 97th %ile, he is big. What %ile is he for length. If he is on the 97th as well, then perfect! That is what we want to see. Growth charts are just a guide for babies growth, they are an average of babies weight/length for age. There are several different growth charts out and are there based on different ethnic groups. We would like to see infant near the same percentiles for both length and weight.
That being said, I think even if he is on the big side and is interested in having more at breakfast, then offer it to him. I suggest giving him solids first and then offering him his formula/breastfeed after. He will regulate how much he needs.
Let me know if I can provide anymore assistance.
Denise Fair, MSc RD
my daughter was also at 95th%-tile weight (50% height) at 9-12 mths. she was at 50%-tile weight & height when she was born. so she's considerably gained a lot of weight during the 1st year.
during the past 2 years (she just turned 3 last mth), i gave her healthy foods & let her eat as much as she wants (3 meals/day plus healthy snacks in between). i remember she was 10kgs @1 year old, 14 kgs @ 2yo, and 16kgs now. yet she's grown from 50%tile in height to 75% in height, from 95% tile in eight to 70% in weight now.
what i'm trying to say is, if you let him eat healthy foods (fruits & vegs, healthy grains, lean protein), lots of running & jumping, you don't have to worry about him being overweight when he turns 3. he'll be lean & healthy. he'll grow to be taller because he has the substance to grow.
my girl is still chubby, but definitely not fat, because she's grown 12 cm in the past year, but only gained 2kgs. a bay needs those weight in them so that they can grow tall & healthy.
during the past 2 years (she just turned 3 last mth), i gave her healthy foods & let her eat as much as she wants (3 meals/day plus healthy snacks in between). i remember she was 10kgs @1 year old, 14 kgs @ 2yo, and 16kgs now. yet she's grown from 50%tile in height to 75% in height, from 95% tile in eight to 70% in weight now.
what i'm trying to say is, if you let him eat healthy foods (fruits & vegs, healthy grains, lean protein), lots of running & jumping, you don't have to worry about him being overweight when he turns 3. he'll be lean & healthy. he'll grow to be taller because he has the substance to grow.
my girl is still chubby, but definitely not fat, because she's grown 12 cm in the past year, but only gained 2kgs. a bay needs those weight in them so that they can grow tall & healthy.
Kerry, thank you for the helpful advice. My baby milk intake can vary from 18-25oz a day depending on 1) if I need to mix baby food with millk as part of his solid meal 2) of course his diet. I am worried that if I give him solid before his milk for breakfast, that might significantly reduce his milk intake (7oz each feed). Will that be a concern? Also, should the solid and milk bottle be given back to back? He is not quite in the same percentile for both his weight and height. I think is 95 and 50 respectively. Is that a concern?
Hi, Regarding the height for weight, your son is perfect. Most babies are a little higher in the weight department as the are relatively inactive and as joannek pointed out, the almost always lean out when they become more active. Plus it can be beneficial to have some extra stores for when they get sick and don't eat as much.
Go ahead and feed him his milk first. As he is still only 9 months, the majority of calories still comes from his milk. He will adjust his calories as he needs. Over of the next 3 months however, as you are transitioning to a more solid diet, start giving one meal before his bottle and make sure to be offering water as well. As his calories increase from solids, it will decrease from milk, but he still needs fluid. Gradually, he will be eating all his solids first, following by milk and then... eventually the milk in a bottle will stop and he can have it with his meals in a sippy cup.
Also, I would recommend giving the solid meal and bottle back to back. As you are trying to establish "meal" times and he is'n't eating every hour or two. This sets up a good pattern and makes it easier for you as well. If it is hard at first, start half an hour apart and gradually make them back to back.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions.
Go ahead and feed him his milk first. As he is still only 9 months, the majority of calories still comes from his milk. He will adjust his calories as he needs. Over of the next 3 months however, as you are transitioning to a more solid diet, start giving one meal before his bottle and make sure to be offering water as well. As his calories increase from solids, it will decrease from milk, but he still needs fluid. Gradually, he will be eating all his solids first, following by milk and then... eventually the milk in a bottle will stop and he can have it with his meals in a sippy cup.
Also, I would recommend giving the solid meal and bottle back to back. As you are trying to establish "meal" times and he is'n't eating every hour or two. This sets up a good pattern and makes it easier for you as well. If it is hard at first, start half an hour apart and gradually make them back to back.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions.
Hi, I have some concerns for my 12mth boy, hope to get some advice. He is recovering from a bad cough, and has in fact lost a little wt - now 9kg at 77cm which is on the low side. He has lost his taste for milk but is happy to eat his 3 solid meals (cereal with his milk for b/fast, rice with veg/chicken or pasta with veg/chicken for lunch & dinner). I try to give him snacks in between like fruit or crackers, but am confused as I would really prefer he drink milk, but he refuses. What can I do? Can't start on yoghurt or cheese at the moment because of the cough (still phelgmy).... However, he is really active and barely naps during the day, only 1 to 1 1/2 hrs, and sleeps well from 8:00pm till about 6:30-7:00am (waking up once in between for comfort). He refuses milk after his dinner as well - I suppose he eats well, so is quite full. Any suggestions?? Shall I start on the next stage milk (for 1yr+ on Gain Advance) I would really like him to put on some weight...! Thanks 
Hi, I do have some suggestions for you. It does seem that he is eating a good variety of foods which is wonderful. He is at the age where he should be on more solids than just milk (but milk is continually important!). Stick to your routine of meals and snacks and continue to offer the milk. Go ahead with the yoghurts (the petit danones or infant yoghurts are actually a soft cheese - they have lots of calories for a small volume). It won't contribute much to phlem, same with the cheese. If anything.. it will be the milk that will have much more of an impact.
What you want to do is increase fat. I know as adult we try to limit intake of fat but it is very necessary in infants and children. So look for higher fat snacks but watch the kind of fats. You want fats like olive oil, non hydrogenated vegetable oils, canola oils and fats low in saturated fat. Ones to avoid are hydrogenated fats, anything with tropical oils such as palm and coconut (which are everywhere in hong kong!) and fats with high saturated fats. Fats in milk tend to be more saturated but are highly recommended.
Try adding butter/margarine/oil to his rice, pasta and vegetables (just a teaspon or so), spread butter/cream cheese on crackers, then put on some cheese, adding fruit to his cereal and sauces to rice/pasta. Make him a little milkshake with lots of fruits and some ice cream, offer avocado it is very nutritious and high in calories and if you feel confortable you can try peanut butter or other nut spreads. 12 months would be the earliest to introduce peanut butter as it can be highly allergetic. If you have a family history of peanut allergy or feel uncomfortable then don't introduce it.
You can try the next stage milk if you prefer. Either he will like it and drink a little more milk or he won't like the new taste. If he does'n't like it, then switch back to the other formula as you want him to get as much milk as he can. Once his weight starts improving, feel free to introduce the next state formula.
I hope this helps.
Denise
What you want to do is increase fat. I know as adult we try to limit intake of fat but it is very necessary in infants and children. So look for higher fat snacks but watch the kind of fats. You want fats like olive oil, non hydrogenated vegetable oils, canola oils and fats low in saturated fat. Ones to avoid are hydrogenated fats, anything with tropical oils such as palm and coconut (which are everywhere in hong kong!) and fats with high saturated fats. Fats in milk tend to be more saturated but are highly recommended.
Try adding butter/margarine/oil to his rice, pasta and vegetables (just a teaspon or so), spread butter/cream cheese on crackers, then put on some cheese, adding fruit to his cereal and sauces to rice/pasta. Make him a little milkshake with lots of fruits and some ice cream, offer avocado it is very nutritious and high in calories and if you feel confortable you can try peanut butter or other nut spreads. 12 months would be the earliest to introduce peanut butter as it can be highly allergetic. If you have a family history of peanut allergy or feel uncomfortable then don't introduce it.
You can try the next stage milk if you prefer. Either he will like it and drink a little more milk or he won't like the new taste. If he does'n't like it, then switch back to the other formula as you want him to get as much milk as he can. Once his weight starts improving, feel free to introduce the next state formula.
I hope this helps.
Denise
Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for your post, it is VERY useful and really reassuring! Will take on board all your suggestions, except for the peanut butter as I really don't know how he will react (as he's adopted, no idea of family history/genetics...). Think it'd be better to wait maybe till he's 2 or so, and under the dr's supervision... Have heard many scary stories of allergy-related convulsions etc, so am quite wary of nuts at the moment. On the other hand, he has done quite well with egg yolks and blueberries, although strawberries don't seem to suit him as yet.
Do you have any suggestions for a feeding schedule, it seems we are feeding him the whole day, and he gets a bit annoyed with us at times!!
Many thanks again!!
Thanks so much for your post, it is VERY useful and really reassuring! Will take on board all your suggestions, except for the peanut butter as I really don't know how he will react (as he's adopted, no idea of family history/genetics...). Think it'd be better to wait maybe till he's 2 or so, and under the dr's supervision... Have heard many scary stories of allergy-related convulsions etc, so am quite wary of nuts at the moment. On the other hand, he has done quite well with egg yolks and blueberries, although strawberries don't seem to suit him as yet.
Do you have any suggestions for a feeding schedule, it seems we are feeding him the whole day, and he gets a bit annoyed with us at times!!
Many thanks again!!
Hi, I am glad that you can use my suggestions. As for the feeding schedule, you want to try and make distinct times and have time limits for how long they eat (this will become increasingly important as they get older and feed themselves). The reason is that you don't want to be feeding them all day and then they don't ever feel real hunger and then feeding can become a battle. If you have to skip a meal, he may eat a lot more at the next meal. It will be trail and error.
A possible schedule is followings
7am - cereal with fruit plus offer him milk/bottle
9:30 - infant yoghurt and a few crackers/Cheerios ect
Noon - rice/noodles/veggies/meat (same as you are doing) + Milk
3:00 - some fruit, little blocks of cheese
6:00 - dinner + milk
7:30 - offer him milk or maybe some more cereal. If he refuses that is fine. If he really needs that evening snack he will start waking up earlier in the morning.
Times can be adjusted as you want them to suit your lifestyle. Just try and keep the meals between 2.5 and 3.5 hours apart and don't let him snack for longer than 20 minutes or it will interfere with the next meal.
Let me know how it goes.
A possible schedule is followings
7am - cereal with fruit plus offer him milk/bottle
9:30 - infant yoghurt and a few crackers/Cheerios ect
Noon - rice/noodles/veggies/meat (same as you are doing) + Milk
3:00 - some fruit, little blocks of cheese
6:00 - dinner + milk
7:30 - offer him milk or maybe some more cereal. If he refuses that is fine. If he really needs that evening snack he will start waking up earlier in the morning.
Times can be adjusted as you want them to suit your lifestyle. Just try and keep the meals between 2.5 and 3.5 hours apart and don't let him snack for longer than 20 minutes or it will interfere with the next meal.
Let me know how it goes.
Hi, thanks for the mail!
Our current schedule is a bit different, but it seems that I'm feeding a lot less than your suggestions. At the moment, I offer milk as soon as he awakes, and if he drinks some (usually only a couple of ounces, or if we're lucky, upto 4oz), then cereal is 1 hr later. Otherwise, b/fast shortly after wakeup. Usually only cereal, no fruit as he takes quite a bit of cereal with milk (I try to make up the milk qty in the cereal, about 6 oz). Then a short nap at 9:30 or so, and then a fruit when he awakes. A bath at 11:30 followed by a nap and a milk at about noontime. If he drinks milk (again, hopefully at least 3oz), then lunch is 2hrs later. Otherwise, lunch at 12:30-1 (or whenever he awakes) if he refuses milk. Lunch he enjoys, and then pretty much plays all day without a nap break. At 3 we try to give him a snack, then offer milk at 5. Usually he will have something (custard is always welcome!). Dinner is usually 6:30-7:00 depending on when he had the snack. By the time we're ready for bed at 7:30-8:00, he's already almost asleep, and won't eat/drink anything else till the next morning (except maybe a drink of water)!
Will make some adjustments, and will let you know how we get along.
Thanks a lot for your help!
Our current schedule is a bit different, but it seems that I'm feeding a lot less than your suggestions. At the moment, I offer milk as soon as he awakes, and if he drinks some (usually only a couple of ounces, or if we're lucky, upto 4oz), then cereal is 1 hr later. Otherwise, b/fast shortly after wakeup. Usually only cereal, no fruit as he takes quite a bit of cereal with milk (I try to make up the milk qty in the cereal, about 6 oz). Then a short nap at 9:30 or so, and then a fruit when he awakes. A bath at 11:30 followed by a nap and a milk at about noontime. If he drinks milk (again, hopefully at least 3oz), then lunch is 2hrs later. Otherwise, lunch at 12:30-1 (or whenever he awakes) if he refuses milk. Lunch he enjoys, and then pretty much plays all day without a nap break. At 3 we try to give him a snack, then offer milk at 5. Usually he will have something (custard is always welcome!). Dinner is usually 6:30-7:00 depending on when he had the snack. By the time we're ready for bed at 7:30-8:00, he's already almost asleep, and won't eat/drink anything else till the next morning (except maybe a drink of water)!
Will make some adjustments, and will let you know how we get along.
Thanks a lot for your help!
carang
Registered User
no reason why you can't mix a little fruit in with the cereal.
also, it seems like you are constantly trying to feed the poor thing. he might be getting a little tired of always eating. imagine how you feel after a huge dinner, you don't really feel like doing much, right?
i'm not saying starve your child, but i think that you are a little too flexible with meal times.
eg) why would you give lunch at 2pm sometimes?
why not give lunch and milk at the same time? you like to wash your food down with something to drink, no? so baby will be the same.
also, by 9 months, baby should be having two naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
"Then a short nap at 9:30 or so, and then a fruit when he awakes. A bath at 11:30 followed by a nap"
it sounds like the sleep times are interfering with the rest of the schedule. do you think that is the case?
I'm all for being flexible and not sticking to a very rigid routine, but some routine is good for baby. i think that your whole routine needs to be looked at carefully.
good luck!
also, it seems like you are constantly trying to feed the poor thing. he might be getting a little tired of always eating. imagine how you feel after a huge dinner, you don't really feel like doing much, right?
i'm not saying starve your child, but i think that you are a little too flexible with meal times.
eg) why would you give lunch at 2pm sometimes?
why not give lunch and milk at the same time? you like to wash your food down with something to drink, no? so baby will be the same.
also, by 9 months, baby should be having two naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
"Then a short nap at 9:30 or so, and then a fruit when he awakes. A bath at 11:30 followed by a nap"
it sounds like the sleep times are interfering with the rest of the schedule. do you think that is the case?
I'm all for being flexible and not sticking to a very rigid routine, but some routine is good for baby. i think that your whole routine needs to be looked at carefully.
good luck!
Hi carang, thanks for your comments. Actually, his schedule is something that has evolved around him, I'm just trying to keep up with him! I used to be able to "make" him take a nap at fixed times, but now I find that as he's getting bigger, he resists my efforts. He takes a short catnap around 1/2 hr at 9:30 as he gets up pretty early, and then he likes his midafternoon 1 or 1 1/2hrs. Sometimes he will have another catnap around 5 if he's had a busy day like going out or for playgroup. I've always wondered how moms can put their kids down for naps, I've never been very successful with that! My only saving grace is that he goes to sleep & wakes up more or less at the same time every night & day, and that's a relief!
For his meals, I have tried giving milk as well, but he refuses, and prefers water (not even very keen on juice)! That's why I've been giving him more yoghurt, cheese & milky treats... We try to give him lots of different foods and so far, he seems to enjoy whatever we've presented. Will definitely try mixing fruit with the cereal for b/fast.
Nowadays, he's teething (late teether) so I wonder if that has affected his appetite for milk? Also, he's recovering from a bad cough/runny nose, a minor surgery (before he got sick) and returning home after a month in Singapore, so I guess he just needs some time to get back into the swing of things...
My husband says I'm being too obsessive & overly worried - maybe so, but that's what moms do, isn't it?? ;-)
For his meals, I have tried giving milk as well, but he refuses, and prefers water (not even very keen on juice)! That's why I've been giving him more yoghurt, cheese & milky treats... We try to give him lots of different foods and so far, he seems to enjoy whatever we've presented. Will definitely try mixing fruit with the cereal for b/fast.
Nowadays, he's teething (late teether) so I wonder if that has affected his appetite for milk? Also, he's recovering from a bad cough/runny nose, a minor surgery (before he got sick) and returning home after a month in Singapore, so I guess he just needs some time to get back into the swing of things...
My husband says I'm being too obsessive & overly worried - maybe so, but that's what moms do, isn't it?? ;-)
carang
Registered User
you do find that with the first many mums are a little more obsessive... if they're eating too much, not enough, if they haven't gotten their teeth yet, if they fell down and bumped their head, if the mother ate sushi when she was expecting.
we all tend to get a little more...umm....blase(no accent on my computer!) i think that it's only natural as we've seen some of the behaviour before and have an idea of how to handle it.
i would do as your hubby suggests and just take a little step back and take a breath.
sometimes, babies need to be guided. if he doesn't appear to "want" a nap, maybe take him into a darkened room and just lie beside him and sing lullabies. that might be all that is needed.
my daughter fights sleep like it is her worst enemy. however, when pushed to sleep, she'll sleep for 2 hours in the morning!
you need to remember that you are the parent and that YOU are the one who makes the rules (they need to be flexible for this age, but you might as well start now). you will be amazed at how quickly children learn and adapt.
(ps> i don't think i have all the answers myself, as my daughter goes to sleep REALLY well, but wakes often at night! argh!)
good luck!
we all tend to get a little more...umm....blase(no accent on my computer!) i think that it's only natural as we've seen some of the behaviour before and have an idea of how to handle it.
i would do as your hubby suggests and just take a little step back and take a breath.
sometimes, babies need to be guided. if he doesn't appear to "want" a nap, maybe take him into a darkened room and just lie beside him and sing lullabies. that might be all that is needed.
my daughter fights sleep like it is her worst enemy. however, when pushed to sleep, she'll sleep for 2 hours in the morning!
you need to remember that you are the parent and that YOU are the one who makes the rules (they need to be flexible for this age, but you might as well start now). you will be amazed at how quickly children learn and adapt.
(ps> i don't think i have all the answers myself, as my daughter goes to sleep REALLY well, but wakes often at night! argh!)
good luck!
Hi, thanks for the comments! I have started holding back a bit more, and am def more assertive when I can see that it's naptime and he REALLY needs it! He's like your daughter - will fight & struggle against sleep; and when we just hold him tight and take him into his darkened nursery with the lullabies, he'll let go and knocks out in minutes!
I can already see that his timings etc are changing as he's growing so I try not to dwell too much on it, and although I seem quite flexible with his schedule, I do control a lot of it!
Always appreciate comments/advice from "seasoned" moms, so thanks again!
I can already see that his timings etc are changing as he's growing so I try not to dwell too much on it, and although I seem quite flexible with his schedule, I do control a lot of it!
Always appreciate comments/advice from "seasoned" moms, so thanks again!
Hi Everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that (touch wood!) he's got his appetite back. In fact I'm considering moving to the next level milk as he seems to be enjoying his milk again. He also seems to be settling into a better sleep schedule... The surgery and the cough must have upset his routine. Thanks for all your advice, it's great to have a forum like this where you can get unbiased and reassuring help (rather than a curt "it's OK, babies are like that sometimes")... only moms can understand what it's like!! Thanks all!!
Thanks all!!also any cheese you give to a baby must be pasteurised, the same goes for the milk. although saying that my 17 month recently drank milk direct from a goat and was fine! but pasterurised is a must!
so no brie, feta etc. for baby! basically the cheeses you would avoid when pregnant.
for crackers, try and find ones with as little salt as possible....although it's not easy finding salt free crackers in HK...!
you can toast the bread if you want (can double as a teething aid) but doesn't have to be toasted....wheat, brown, whole grain etc. bread is much better for everyone, not just baby!
so no brie, feta etc. for baby! basically the cheeses you would avoid when pregnant.
for crackers, try and find ones with as little salt as possible....although it's not easy finding salt free crackers in HK...!
you can toast the bread if you want (can double as a teething aid) but doesn't have to be toasted....wheat, brown, whole grain etc. bread is much better for everyone, not just baby!