starting table foods... amount question

DD is 9mos and we have her on table foods and pureed foods. When I give her pureed foods I know how many ounces I am giving her. But with table foods, I don't.

My main concern is with proteins, like meats. She can gobble up chicken pieces like it's her job. She had chicken soup tonight for dinner and I am pretty sure she had 4oz (which is a lot for her!). How do I know how much to give her?

Re: starting table foods... amount question

I hope someone gives you a good answer, I'm in the same boat.

I have no idea.

DS will overeat and spit up, I wish someone has some magic answers.

He's also anti-formula now, so I don't know if I should just start milk or what. He drinks water like he's dying.

Re: starting table foods... amount question

bump

Re: starting table foods... amount question

I have no idea either...I just kind of eyeball what I think looks like 2-3 tablespoons worth of cut up chicken/meat. If he still acts hungry I will then give him 1-2 oz. of a fruit or veggie.

Re: starting table foods... amount question

I remember my ped saying that they should get 1/4 of what we eat. And I think the "we eat" portion is the size we are "supposed" to eat - not the oversized portions I know I usually eat!
HTH!

Re: starting table foods... amount question

I'm having this issue as well. I am feeding him table foods at every meal and still baby food because I can't tell how much he is eating. He still definitely needs a puree meat b/c he won't eat chicken or any meat (sometimes turkey cold cuts). I can probably give up the fruit puree at breakfast because he does pretty well eating pancakes, fruits, bananas, etc. I feel like I give him the same thing for each meal and switch it up just a little. He is picky. He will go to town on tortellini but HATES chicken!

Re: starting table foods... amount question

honestly, how do you even tell when they are full?

I gave DS his dinner, beef stew it was yum, I had some too. Then DH comes home a little later and got some fried chicken. So I sat him with us and gave him some puffs, like I always do when we are all together.

He was ignoring the puffs and panting at me, like he wanted my chicken. I offered him banana, his favortie things in the world, he ate half a banana! and then was still panting for my chicken...

Okay fine, I pick off some very tender piece on the inside and give it to him, he gobbles it up and wants more, ate almost a drumstick worth of chicken.

An hour later, he spits up a little. DH tells me "you overfed him"

Looking back, I think DH threw him in the air, so I'm thinking maybe that was more the cause of the spit up.

But do I really have a bottomless pit for a child? He's 75% weight, but over 95% for height. When do we start worrying about overfeeding and overweight kids?

...

and I know complaining about this is going to bite me in a few months when DS goes through the picky phase everyone is warning me about.

Re: starting table foods... amount question

sometimes DD will turn away when she doesn't want anymore. i'm not sure if its because she's full or just because she wants to play. i think it's because she's full.

but there are times when she can eat more than me, and i think it's just because she's excited and it's new & yummy. i don't know!

Re: starting table foods... amount question

DS tells me when hes done, he will turn away or throw the food on the floor. He is totally on table food now. I give him whatever we are eating. He gets yogurt and cut up fruit everyday for breakfast at daycare. She then feeds him whatever she feeds the other kids. He is a REALLY good eater. We also give him a sippy cup filled with water after every meal and he drinks prob half of it. He loves his water. I would just let her guide you, DS always starts SHOVELING food in his mouth and then slows down, once he slows down and starts playing with is food more than putting it in his mouth i know hes almost full.

Re: starting table foods... amount question

Re: starting table foods... amount question

anyone else?

Re: starting table foods... amount question

Dee, have you tried to teach her any signs?

I've taught DS all done/finished, he uses it when I ask him if he's finished eating. But honestly sometimes he just puts his hands on his head and I can't tell what he's telling me, especially when he soon after starts picking off the tray.

I'm hoping he'll get better at signing, and I'll be better at telling what's going on.