Confused by 11 month old feeding schedule ... Please help

[romomma]

My DS turned 11 months this week. He still has 4 6oz bottles a day and I'd like to switch to 3 although he finishes every single bottle (!!) so maybe I shouldn't? I've read the avg. EBM/formula intake for 9-12 month olds is 24-31 oz however, when I look at the schedules listed under the "Feeding Routine for 10-12 months" it seems most are eating far less milk than this. The only 12 month old schedule I saw had no milk at all. I thought EBM/formula was the most improtant nutritionally until at the very least 1 year.

I'm so confused. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Should I wait until he lets me know he doesn't want EBM/formula any longer before I decide to just cut him down to 3 bottles? He's 11 months and 23 lbs so he's a sweet little chunk.

Thanks so much in advance for any help.

[*Natasha*]

Could you post your routine with how much solids he is getting. Just wanted to say firstly that at 9-112months the milk intake ranges from 21-32ozs then at 12months the average milk intake is 16ozs and solids should be their main source of nutrition. Anyway i can comment more when i see how much solids he is getting.

[romomma]

Great! Thanks. Here's his schedule...

8 wake and 6oz bottle
9 yogurt (the kind with fruit or cereal in it)
11 6oz bottle
12 lunch- equivalent to 2 (sometimes 3) jars
3 6 oz bottle
4:30 dinner equivalent to 2 jars
6/6:30 6oz bottle

[*Natasha*]

A this stage this looks great. What you can do is when you or your DS are ready to drop the bottles is:

Start with either the 11am or 3pm bottle. Replace it with a snack and if you DS will have it some milk in a cup. Then replace the other bottle with the same which will leave you the morning and night bottle. When you are ready give these with breakfast and dinner in a sippy cup. For more info on how to drop bottles their is some useful info in the bottlefeeding FAQS.

[romomma]

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it. Just getting feedback on his schedule and having someone say 'you're doing ok' is amazingly helpful. Really. Thanks.

[*Natasha*]

Your very welcome.

[binxyboo]

I am never ceased to be amazed at lo's who eat 2-3 jars at a sitting. It doesn't matter much anymore as we are moving more towards table food, but even at 13 months lo would never in a million years eat all that!!!!