Hmmm not sure where this should go?

[yaya]

Some of u may have read about all of DS's feeding probs, well 3 months down the line we havnt really made too much progress, in the sense that yes he is physically better but he STILL refuses bottles. Luckily we started solids and he has a BIG meal at lunch time. Prob is this has made him hate bottles (or milk not sure which) even more. My question is, when they r on say 3 meals a day how much in terms of liquids do they need?? EG If I got him onto dinner and then he had bedtime bottle 1 night bottle and if im VERY luckily when before am nap and water throughout the day, could he be getting enough liquid? Am so worried he wil dehydrate again but dont knwo what else to do, eg today he had lunch and nothing else except water till 7.30 when he had bedtime bottle!

Feeling a bit desperate and still on a mission to try to understand his hatred for bottles BTW has anyone heard of babies being totally weaned at 7 months ish? I know milk is supposed to be main source of food but when it isnt doing this maybe I need another option??? MAybe intergrate dairy and liquids some other way?

[Seona1973]

I know in the UK they advise a minimum of 20 ounces of milk per day, from 6 months, along with meals (it seems to differ between countries for some reason!). This includes milk with cereal, in foods and any dairy products you are giving. 

Have you tried offering a lidded beaker with milk or a straw cup or even letting him sip from an open cup? It could be the bottle he has an aversion to rather than the milk itself. 

When it comes down to it some babies like milk and some dont.  If your lo doesnt like to drink milk, you need to find ways of incorporating it into his meals instead.  Its great your lo takes water too as this will help to keep him hydrated.

Hope you work something out

Seona

[yaya]

eeek that did seem like alot!
I think the prob is the bottle aversion and definate dislike for milk. I know this as have tried sippy cup and open cup (which btw he can drink water from no porb!) I realise its unrealistic to wean him totally at this age but am so desprate! What do u do with a kid who hates bottles and milk? Im so tired and demoralised and hated battling with him to get him to take justa  few oz. PS he drinks fine at night so end up gettign most of the calories in him while he sleeps (bedtime and naps) I think the last time he took a bottle consciously was a month or so ago

[yaya]

so if say hes having meat and carrot for lunch, I water it down with milk? Hmm hadnt thought of this, usually I put formula in his baby rice which he HATES and then he has his various bits of lunch! Any ideas what else I could sneak it in to? and do u think if I got say 8 oz in various lunch bits this would substitute a dreaded bottle??? Sorry to ask so many Qs

[yaya]

Yeah I suppose was thinking more in terms of snacks during the day to substitute other bottles !Thanx for ur tips!

[joannad]

My DD1 took to solids really well & went off milk once solids were established.  I was concerned about the lack of milk she was taking. Although she was a little older. Once she was on cows milk my mam (who did 3 days a week childcare) used to make milkshakes by blending strawberries in with it.  I don't know if that would be appropriate but if those over sweetened milkshake powders get older kids (including adult kids) to drink milk I can't see a problem with adding fresh fruit to milk (obviously breast or formula) in a younger child.  Initially DD1 loved apples but not veg so I added a little apple to the veg & then reduced the amounts until I stopped adding it.  You could then reduce the amount of fruit to water down the flavour???
I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but if you're desperate it might help.

[tylersmommy]

Have you tried cutting back on solids? Part of the problem may be that he's filling up on solids and doesn't have an appetite when it comes time for a bottle. Since solids are only for supplementation and formula is his main source of nutrition, you can even eliminate a meal and see what happens.

[*Natasha*]

How much solids is he having? Can you post your routine with amounts of solids and bottles?

[yaya]

Hi guys! Its def NOT a hunger prob as he was like this (in fact worse) before solids! They have made things better in the sense that I can relax a bit more and not worry that he isnt eating enough!

OUr routine:

Wake 6 (feed if still sleepy)
A
Bottle 9 then sleep (1-1.5hrs)

12 Solids (usually meat and some veg)

1.30 sleep usually only 45 mins to 1hr

4 bottle (hardly ever takes this

catnap at 5.30 if previous naps bad

7 bath and bottle and bed

1 bottle at night aorund 1am