Need help with feeding routine for 8 month old

[Silas Mum]

This is what LO's eating routine looks like :

700am - 8oz. goats milk
830am - 1 jar of food (4.5oz.)
1100am - 8oz. goats milk
1230pm - 1 jar of food (4.5oz)
300pm - 8oz. goats milk
600pm - 1 jar of food (4.5oz)
715 - 730pm - 8oz. goats milk right before bed.

This is my question.  Since LO has now started to crawl like no tomorrow and is now standing up and trying to walk, he seems to be burning more calories (I think), so, for instance, he woke up at 600am screaming and it was totally hunger and he just guzzled the milk.  Should we be increasing the soilds?  If so, by how much?  He is a very tall boy and started soilds at 4 months.  On another note : since he's started to stand, he is standing in his crib and the last two nights he has fallen asleep in our arms in the chair after the last bottle and we put him in the crib and he's asleep and then 5 minutes later he's standing in the crib ... this little routine of PD went on for 1.5 hours last night.  Does this eventually end??  What should I do??

Thanks so much,
Allison  =)

[calebs mommy]

Since he is getting a good amount of milk, I would increase his solids.  Have you thought about adding in some finger foods?  We started with mushy foods like bananas and cooked carrots.  Just a thought.

[NiknLily]

I agree with upping his solids.
As long as hes not crying in his crib leave him to it, hes just practising his new skill, it will soon get old hat!

[*Natasha*]

Yes he is taking max. milk so feel free to increase solids he is probably going through a growth spurt at the moment. As for the PD part he is just trying out his new skill and this will pass. I am not very familiar with PU/PD so for more advice can i suggest the PU/PD board the ladies their are very helpful.

[jumblebox]

Allison,
Looks like our LO's are a day apart! And apparently both are pulling the same crib stunts, as well. 

We've had more problems with the standing at naptimes, than bedtime. (He recently dropped his catnap, so he's shattered by bedtime.) What I've been doing for the naps is this:

1) make sure he gets PLENTY of pulling-up practice before nap/bedtime

2) my DS tends to lay down, settle in, then pop up on all fours, twist to the side and start reaching for the railing. I wait for him to pop up, then lift him a few inches off the mattress (til he loses traction) and lay him down again. (as I say something like "not now... naptime... nighty-night") Maybe pat his back or stroke his hair a bit. Sometimes it only takes once, sometimes it takes 5-6 times. So far, not more than that.

Good luck! 
- LisaW

[Silas Mum]

Thanks everyone for the great advice!  I increased the solids today to 5.5 oz. and oh my freakin' goodness, he slept longer than his usual 30-45 minutes at nap times!  It is currently 930pm and he has been "in bed" since 715pm and he is still trying to get out of the crib.  DH has told me not to go in again until he is full out crying.  He's chatting very loudly to Mr. Bunny and his soother, but I'm sure they just want to go to sleep like Mummy!

Oh, one more question ... after this "growth spurt", would I go back to 4.5oz. of food?
What other kind of "finger foods" should I start to give him other than bananas and cooked carrots?  So it's gonna' get messier than it already is?? 

Thanks!
Allison  =)

[NiknLily]

Hi
Don't know if you have it where your from but my LO loves Melba Toast, she can hold it well as its small and dry and lovely and scratchy on her gums which has added bonus for soothing teething.  She also loves baby biscuits which are finger shaped and melt easily when gummed, again because they are dry they are nice and easy to hold to beginners at finger food.  I also gave DD some broccoli which she managed to pick up and get in her mouth and she loves it, this one has added bonus for mummy as she looks like Ermentrude of magic roundabout chewing broccoli so its good for a giggle!  Really you can give anything as finger food which they can squish easily in their little mouths, I read a good tip, try squashing something against roof of your mouth with your tongue if you can make progress with this then it should make good finger food.