Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

Hi!

My DS is 14 weeks old and not yet STTN. He's actually waking more these last 2 weeks than than he did as a newborn. He's also drinking 6.5 ounces of formula (5 bottles p/day = 32.5oz) and sucking them dry, will have the last drop. Ped (not the one i usually see) said I CAN'T add more formula and that he's probably still hungry and that's why he's waking so he should start solids at 4 months.

Ok, so according to her he's hungry, but I can't do anything for 3 more weeks so I should let him starve

Is it true that I should not give him more formula?

And, is this really a reason to start solids at only 4 months?

Guess I'm just uncomfortable with the idea of giving him solids so early.

TIA!

ETA: his 5th bottle is in the middle of the night, 3-4 AM

Message edited 1/11/2010 2:43:36 PM.

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

the dr. told me that too at that point (and DS was doing 6 bottles)--i think 5 bottles is actually not that much for that age--DS didn't drop his middle of the night feeding until 6 months. i'd try feeding him during the night, or try adding another ounce before starting solids.

DS is 6.5 months and still not STTN , but he did drop the night feeding.

hunger may not be the reason for the waking up though--there is a big 3 month regression when they become more aware, and start having a more difficult time when they wake up (every 3-4 hours). ds still isn't good at self-soothing

Message edited 1/11/2010 2:44:17 PM.

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

I think my ped said once they hit a certain amount of oz (I wanna say over 30oz) they rec starting cerial over drinking more. We got the ok at our 4th month visit...I still held off for a week

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

I saw your ETA--at that age (and now at 6 months) I still give every 3 hours during the day--maybe you could try that and see if that helps.

We did start cereal at 4 months, but it didn't help sleep at all--I think it was more due to the 3 month sleep regression.

Message edited 1/11/2010 2:50:59 PM.

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

My son was drinking over 32 oz. at his 3 month appt. His Ped said they don't like babies drinking more than that, because too much water could harm his kidneys.

They had me start him on cereal at 3 months. I was totally ok with that. Starting solids at that time had more to do with his consumption of formula than it did with his age.

We started with oatmeal, and practiced feeding with the spoon. After a couple of weeks, we started with applesauce.

Now, at his 4 month appt, we got the green light for all stage 1 foods.

So from my experience, starting solids at 3 months isn't too early.

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

My ped gave me this guieline for solids-

4 months old
40oz of formula a day
14 pounds


Once DD hit all three things I started her on cereals. She just recently starting actually eating them at 4.5 months. Before that she just kept pushing it back out with her tongue.

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

I started my DS on cereal at 3 months - he is a big boy, has great head and neck control and was s ucking the bottles dry - and I was doing about 7 oz, 5 times per day. So I don't always feel like it HAS to be at 4 months that they start. The one thing I will say is that at 3 months, my DS didn't "get" eating the cereal like he did a month later at 4 months, but it did fill him up more.

Re: Formula moms and BTDT moms who started solids at 4 months, is my ped right?

Can you add an extra ounce to his daytime bottles if he's still hungry? That might help get rid of the night time one. If he's hungry, and you know it, I can't see just waiting it out for the next 3 weeks. I know your ped. said one thing, but use your own judgment.

Also, I know the AAP recommends 6 months for starting solids, but plenty of moms start at 4; we did, and our ped. recommended it.