What would you do (7 month old possibly overeating, won't eat solids)?

Question

My son is 7 months old and has been overeating (I think), but not drastically. He spits up sometimes afterward-just pure milk. I think 50% of it is sucking for comfort. We do use slow flow nipples at night and in the morning to help with that. He has no real interest in solids. We can't get him to actually eat anything, just play around a little. I'm afraid that formula is no longer enough... which is I suppose understandable for his age. I have considered giving him a pacifier, something he never wanted before, to see if he is continuing to suck/seems hungry, because he needs it for comfort. But how crazy would it be to introduce a pacifier at 7 months old? LOL I am not against pacifiers and not really anal about getting rid of it by 1 year, so.. I have also thought about trying rice cereal with a little bit of formula mixed in it to see if he does just need a little something solid. This is what has been rolling around in my head. What would you do?

Answer 1

Hi,

Try the rice cereal first - that will probably do the trick. He is probably spitting up because he is gulping to eat as fast as he can through a slow flow nipple.  He will swallow air and then spit up afterwards - which leads to him being hugrier and more impatient for food. You should try a faster flow nipple and see if that helps. At 7 months a baby should most likely be using a fast flow nipple. Nipples come in three flow speeds generally speaking:  Beginner / Slow flow (0-3 months), Intermediate / Medium Flow (3-6 months), Expert / Fast Flow (6+ months).

Most babies are safe to start rice cereal at 4-6 months.  At first they don't seem to like it because they have to learn how to move the food to the back of their mouth with their tounge to swallow it.  There isn't the instant gratification that the breast / bottle offers.  My son is nearly 5 months old now and was the same - insatiable appetite, and always wanting more.  Giving him rice cereal keeps him full a bit longer and he isn't spitting up at all now.  

It is recommended that you nurse / feed your baby first, then offer the cereal. For the first year of life the bulk of nutrition needs to come from breastmilk or formula - even after you start solids.  This ensures that the baby is getting all the nutrients they need while learning to eat solids, and a very hungry baby is not interested in learning how to try something new.  Most have the best luck in the morning after the baby has had a good night's rest.  Never rice cereal in a bottle - feed him with a spoon so he will learn.  You may want to introduce a sippy cup if he can hold his bottle well, which will allow him to get more liquid with each sip and learn how to start drinking from a cup.  

Here is a site I found helpful:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000...

As for the pacifier - if he hasn't needed one up until now, then I wouldn't introduce one.  His tummy is probably just ready for something with a little more "umph" to it.  Good luck!

Additional:  Reading your additional information stumped me.  I was going to suggest trying the oatmeal, the mixed grain cereal, or the cereal with banana, but if he is playing instead of eating (regardless of what you are trying to feed him) then I don't know.  I haven't had to cross that bridge yet!  I am sure some of the other more experienced mom's have had this happen and can help better than I can.  I look forward to seeing what you find out...Cheers!