Confusion over milk intake during weaning...

[Mamastalawatt]

Hi,

I'm confused about the amount of milk that my DS should be having at 7 1/2 months.  I have a circle of friends who I met through my antenatal classes, and we have all been told by our different health visitors that our babies should be having around a minimum of 18oz of milk a day (or 4 - 5 decent breastfeeds).  Yet BW suggests at least 32oz?  I just about manage to get my DS to take 18oz a day (alongside solids) and this seems to be the same with my friends and their babies.  None of us think that we'd be able to get them to take anywhere near 32oz a day!

Have I got this wrong?  My brain is fried from motherhood and sleep deprivation...

Mama

[*Natasha*]

At this age and when solids is being given for 3 meals then the range of milk intake ranges from 21-32ozs. Don't forget that this includes what milk you use for food as well. At this age my DD was having 3 bottles only where as some babies are on and stay on 4x8ozs until 12months.

[Mamastalawatt]

Hi Natasha,

Thank you for replying - much appreciated.  I'm really struggling to get DS to take anywhere near the amounts suggested and I think it's because of weaning.  One problem is at nursery - I think they feed him too much in solids (pizza and beans today???) and try to get him to take his milk afterwards.  I plan to speak to them tomorrow and ask them to stick to my routine where he has his milk first, then solids.

I wonder if generally I have weaned him too quickly and am giving him too much.  I have now cut his dreamfeed (which was anything up to 6 - 7ozs) and he doesn't seem to miss it at night, but it hasn't had the desired effect of getting him to take more in the day.  At them moment he takes:-

7am breastfeed (4-5oz?)
8am breakfast (cereal with 2 - 3oz formula and small finger of toast)
11am bottle (3oz)
12noon lunch (2-3tbsp savoury, 2-3tbsp dessert, few nibbles of finger food)
3pm bottle (3oz)
4pm tea (2-3tbsp savoury, 2-3tbsp dessert)
6.30pm bottle (5-6oz)

At the most, being optimistic, I reckon he's getting 20oz a day, sometimes maybe 17oz.

Any suggestions? I really appreciate your help!

Thanks

Mama

[*Natasha*]

It doesn't look like he is eating to much solids is what you have mentioned in is routine what you feed him?
The only thing i can suggest is to perhaps drop him down to 3 bottles and see if he will take more that way?
Perhaps he isn't hungry for a bottle after 4hrs??

[Mamastalawatt]

Thanks Natasha,

Maybe I'll try dropping his 11am bottle - I was concerned that having dropped his dreamfeed last week, it might be too soon to drop any others.

I spoke to his nursery this morning and asked them to make sure that he has his milk before his food and not to give him his bottles too early.

Thanks again.

Mama

[*Natasha*]

Good luck let me know how it goes and if i can be off anymore help