weaning the DF and meal times help

[newkidontheblock]

DD is 9 months old, ebf 3-4 times a day + DF., with solids at breakfast and lunch. I feel like it is time to wean the DF, and so I have a few questions about this.

Firstly, she takes anywhere between 4 -7 oz in the DF since the 6 month growth spurt. Previously it was 3 max. I've been waiting for it to go down on its own but doesn't seem to be happening. I know that she can go the night without it since she has woken up a few times during DF and refused it completely but still SS after and STTN. My question is in order to wean the DF, do I have to increase solids? As in, will I need to give her a third meal in the evening? I have been holding off on this because it didn't seem necessary and I don't want any night poos.

If yes, a third solid meal should be added, then could someone suggest when in my routine could I give it, since there is such a short A before bed. Our routine is
7- WU and nurse
8.30- solids (oats with fruits and 2 oz milk)
11.10- nap 1 for between 1.5 -2 hrs
1- nurse
Immediately after solids- sauteed vegetables + fruit chunks for dessert
3/3.30- nurse (just a small amount but sometimes she nurses well here too)
4.10hrs later CN
BT nursies after bath
1.5 hrs later bed
Between 10 & 11- DF

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

I would for sure look to add a third meal in (hmm but where? Snack before pm nap?). None of my kids ever starting pooping at night once they ate 3 meals a day, so tbh I would not worry about that. Is the df a bottle? I found with DD3 I had to go cold turkey with nf's (she never took a df) as she wanted all or nothing!

[newkidontheblock]

Haha, yes, exactly, where? The only place seems to be snack before pm nap but that would mean milk - solids - milk - solids. I don't think she could handle that much:p yes, DF is a bottle of expressed milk. Okay, I'm going to start with just reducing the amounts and see what happens. Maybe I should hold off on a third meal until the day comes together better? She was pooping like clockwork when she WU in the morning but we are now having 2-3 a day. Maybe too much solids but she loves them and I make sure to add some milk wherever possible

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

We get 2 poops a day usually and have for ages so 2-3 sounds good (and better than constipation!). What about doing that small snack right on wake up from the catnap? Or do you think that would affect the bedtime feed?

[newkidontheblock]

I can give it a try and see how out goes:) thanks

[newkidontheblock]

One more query, if you don't mind --- Any thoughts on the DF being weaned cold turkey? We have been trying to follow the method laid out but for the past 3 days, DD has been so unsettled after the DF. Tonight, she started crying, and has been crying on & off since, which has never happened before. I can't quite understand how to add the ounces to the day feeds when bfing actually 

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

I weaned nf's cold turkey at that age (we never did a df with DD3) with no issues after trying the gradual reduction (was bottle feeds I swapped out bf just to see if gradual would work). I assume she compensated during the day however she needed as it did not bother her at all.

[newkidontheblock]

Okay.I'm going for it. I don't get how everything is suddenly so off. Thanks, Heidi

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Good luck!