Expert: ruth kraft - 8/4/2009

Question
Hi,
I am a first time mum and I am getting conflicting information on dropping feeds. I have always breastfed my 7 1/2 month daughter but have recently dropped her mid-morning feed as she seemed so distracted and uninterested. Also she has started to have a nap and now usually sleeps through that feed anyway. I now feed her early morning, mid-afternoon and before bed. However she only feeds well the first and last feed of the day! Should I drop the afternoon aswell or is she too young? Also I am giving her water in between that to quench her thirst. Is there a set amount I should give her? I have been putting formula in the meals I cook her and on her cereal so she is getting extra. I would have liked to express this milk but I don't seem to have enough to do that! I am just so confused that I don't know what to do as everyone says different. Please help!

Answer
well, it all boils down to you have to find what works best for you... thats why there is confusion. You need to choose what advice you want to pick that works for you and your baby. If she is uninterested in feeding, then you dont need to feed her. She will make up what she needs at a later feed. She sounds like shes doing perfectly normal for the stage she is at. now she will start to be more mobile and social and food becomes less of an interest. Feed her when shes hungry and dont worry about the rest. I promise, she will get what she needs if you do it this way... however she determines it to be.... :)

good luck~!
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