Ounces of formula when feeding solids

[Sydney]

Hi everyone - I had this as a question in the topic titled "The marvelous journey of feeding solids" but decided to start it as a new topic.


I started my dd on solids at a little over 5 months.  She got sick with the flu and cold and wouldn't take any of the solids at that point as she was barely hungry enough for her bottle, so I decided to wait until she turns 6 months to begin solids again (next Thursday) .  She has only tried rice cereal and sweet potatoes before I stopped giving her solids.

Anyway, I noticed some talk re: the number of ounces your baby should still take when you start giving solids.  My dd has never been a huge eater and the MOST I can get her to drink in one day is 28-30 ounces. It hasn't been an issue as she is putting on weight and sleeps through the night (unless she is sick or the occasional blip, etc).  I noticed that the recommended ounces of formula is 26-32 when on solids.  My dd just wouldn't be able to take this much in plus solids.

What is the lowest amount of formula you would recommend?  I feed her five-6 ounce bottles at 6, 10, 2, 6 and 10.  I was thinking that when I start solids I would feed her an hour after her milk and feed her only 5 ounces in her bottle??  What do you guys think?

TIA!

[Idahomom]

I don't know if I can help you with the amount of liquid, as ds drinks 40oz plus.  But this would be a good time to introduce a cup and you could get a couple more ounces in that way.  I give ds a sippy with about 1-2 oz of formula at lunch and dinner and he has been known to drink it all.  He has been practicing with a cup for 2 weeks and he got the hang of it rather quickly.  I started just giving him water, but he was looking like "what is this stuff" and didn't want it.  I did a little searching on this site and found many moms that wished they would have started the cup with formula/bm, as their lo's didn't want it in the cup later, they thought it only came in a bottle.  So after two days of water, I gave him formula and he took right to it.  He just needs help tipping it up so he doesn't suck air.  Just a thought on getting more liquids in (a long thought, but hope it helps.)

[Sydney]

Thanks very much. That does help.  I had planned on introducing a sippy cup to her for sure.  Good idea re: formula vs. water.

40 ounces!  Wow, that's amazing.  You must constantly be buying formula

[Idahomom]

Yes we buy a lot of formula (prosobee soy) but thankfully he is no longer on Nutramigen hypoallergenic formula, major$$$$. Good luck!

[LŠuren]

Aleisha
I found Calums formula intake did not drop until he was established on 3 'proper' meals a day, rather than the initial weaning stage of purees. However, saying that it has only dropped 3 or 4 oz becasue he is getting that in yogurt, cheese, milk I cook with, rice, pasta, etc...

There is sometimes I have to give as much as I can before his solids, his solids then then sips inbetween mouthfuls like we do when we eat.
So what I am saying, is she shouldn't drop that much as long as you bottle then food  This was gradually change as I said above, I just knew when to reduce his bottles slightly  .

[Sydney]

Once again, thanks Lauren

I will just continue the 6 ounces then and feed her an hour after and see how that works for us.  I don't know why she has such a small appetite!  She didn't get that from me or my dh!!

[*Natasha*]

My DD hasn't never been a big Milk drinker as far as formula and bottles. She was on 4 bottles at 2 months and dropped to 3 bottles at 5 months
However to try and get some extra ozs into her i mix 2-3ozs with her cereal and offer her 2ozs in a cup with Breakfast and Lunch. All those small amounts adds up. She also has cheese, yoghurt and sometimes custard for calcium. 26-32ozs is only a guide as to how much they take some babies take more others less.

[tylersmommy]

Don't forget you can count the formula you add to cereal...and remember that those formula guidelines are just averages. Some babies naturally eat less, some more. If she wasn't a big eater before you started solids, then her formula intake will naturally be a bit lower than average. Just keep an eye on her intake to make sure it doesn't drop dramatically!

[Sydney]

Thanks to everyone for some great advice, as usual

[LŠuren]

How are you getting on with it today?

[Sydney]

Hi Lauren

I sent this post out in preparation for next weekend when I start her on solids.  She turns 6 months next Thursday, so I was going to start around then.

I will let you know, though

[*Natasha*]

Good luck.