Feeding schedule

I was just wondering what kind of a feeding schedule your kiddo's are on and how much is enough?

This is Anberlin's feeding schedule-

wake up
6:30am - BF (4-5oz?)
9:30am - 4-5oz Bottle of breast milk & container of fruits w/ cereal mixed in
12:30-1pm - 4-5oz Bottle of breast milk
3-4pm - 4-5oz Bottle of formula & container of veggies w/ cereal mixed in
6pm -  BF (3oz?)
9pm - BF (3oz?)
bedtime

My worry is that she is eating too much. On Parents.com it says that your baby should be eating 1-2 tablespoons 2-3x day but Anberlin eats the whole container even w/ cereal mixed in and she eats it super duper fast! She is like sitting there with her mouth open going aaahhh when I am trying to get her another spoonful. I don't know if it is possible to start bad eating habits this early on but I want to be careful I don't! How have you veterans done it?? Does Anberlin sound like a normal 7mo old? Am I just being paranoid? I assume that I am but I really wanted some input, advice, and what are your kids doing at 7mo?

Thanks!!
-Ashlie

 I wouldn't worry to much about her eating and how much. As long as she is eating and gaining weight she's fine. That's what my Pedi told me. 
Here's Bella's

6:30-7:30= wake up Breast milk (?)
8:30= 1/2 to whole yo baby yogurt (either apple, mixed berry, vanilla, or banana) she loves that
9:30-10 BM (?) before 2 hr nap
10-12-12:30 nap
12:30= 1/2 jar or so of a fruit and a veggie
1=BM(?) 
2-3=nap for 2 hrs
4-4:30=BM(?)
5-6 1/2 jar of fruit and veggie with a little cereal
7:30-8 BM(?) then bed

That's not exact she eats BM about every 3-4 hrs and breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So Annie's looks fine. Annie is eating the same amount of baby food as Bella b/c one can of fruit and one veggie. I just break it up in 2 meals b/c she likes both at once. She nurses 5-6 times a day. 
Jessica
 

Thanks Jessica! That helps a lot!

Now I pray she doesn't bite me!!!

Is Bella sleeping any better for you guys yet?

-Ashlie

 She slept 8pm to 7am sat, and 8-5:50 nurse then 8 sunday lastnight wasn't as good but we are getting there!!! Yah I HOPE ANNIE NEVER BITES IT HUUURRRTT!!!
Jessica

It does not sound like to much to me, have you tried her on any table food? It sounds like maybe she is ready to move on from baby food to something else!

 Courtney how do you start people food? And what do you start her with?
Thanks
Jess

The way I started was to get soft foods and mash with a fork instead of purreeing it, making it a little more lumpy then usual. The first few times they might gag, but just offer it first (before puree's) and they will get the hang of it. You can also offer things like wagon wheels that they can pick up and self feed.

Start with single ingredient foods, that are soft, and mashable, make sure there are not big chunks (nothing that could get stuck) and you can either cut them up in super small pieces and let baby self feed (they won't really get much the first few times, but you can offer cereal or puree's afterwards if you feel that they are hungry) or offer on a spoon and let baby tell you when to give the next bite (open mouth or vocalizing for more). Once they get the hang of the lumpy food, you can start offering it in firmer, larger pieces, and keep going from there!

Some good starter foods are avacado, banana, poached or baked fruits of all kinds, steamed peas (super mushy, and sometimes you have to remove the outer shell), soft tofu, overcooked pasta or rice! Mashed potatoes (I do sweet and white, but some don't like offering white) are good to start givng more textures without to many lumps or bumps, applesauce is also a good way to do that too.

This is from wholesombabyfood.com, and it's great advice!

Tips and Tricks for helping baby transition to table foods

Serve your baby his favorite foods as you begin to make the transition from baby food purees to table foods. This will minimize the shock of the new texture and appearance.

If you find that your baby is simply not taking to the new textures and bits and chunks, mix in some of the thinner purees so that the texture is more familiar.

You may also want to try and give baby a spoon, put the foods in his own little bowl and let him dig in. If you have chosen to mix in some of the baby purees, the mixture and textures will help the food cling to the spoon and some food may just make it into his mouth.

Never force foods on your baby. If your baby seems unwilling to eat table foods, try again in a few days.

Of course, transitioning to table foods is not a neat and clean proposition. Your baby may opt to mash and smoosh and toss and shred the foods. Let him experiment and get to know the new touch and taste of the food. Let him explore and learn about the new foods on his own terms, in his own time. What fun he will have and after all, having fun with an experience makes us want to repeat that experience over and over again. 

One thing I have done a lot of research on is eating/obesity, as I worry about my kids too. My daughter is heavier. I really like books by Ellen Satter. She is a nutritionist and a social worker, and she has some great advice about feeding at every stage. I have her "Your Child's Weight- Helping without Harming" book that I got on Amazon, and it is fabulous. According to her philosophy, kids need to learn to regulate their own hunger, and not be restricted by adults. Sometimes they will eat more, sometimes less, but you have to trust them to do what is right for their bodies and be consistent in offering meals and snacks. Since reading this, I have really become a lot less worried. I would pick up a copy or one of her other books, at the library or Amazon- it's worth the $12 it cost! It has also helped me in my own food attitudes. Starting table food is a great idea too! Good luck- she's beautiful, so I wouldn't worry about the feeding!

Carrie