Totally puzzled, really need help, please!

[angellyah]

Hi there,

I have been reading so much about breast feeding and bottle feeding and how much you should give and when to stop etc that I am completely blank now. The other thing is that every child is different so you cannot really copy someone Else's steps in weaning your own baby. I'll tell you what my problem is:

I've got 8 month-old-boy. He's both breast fed and on solids. This is his feeding plan during the day and night:

8.00 cereal (3,5oz)
12.00 vegetable soup (2,5oz)+ a bit of fruit
12.30 BF (only if I see he' s hungry or if he's eaten so little at 12.00)
16.00 main meal (pasta, puree, cottage pie etc- 3 or 3,5oz)+ yogurt
16.30 BF (if he hasn't eaten at least 3oz)
19.00 BF
23.00 BF
around 02.00 he wakes for feeding then at 04.00 or 05.00 again.

I don't know what I am doing wrong but I would expect a 8month old baby to sleep through the night but he doesn't. And the problem now is that I am going back to work (a very unexpected thing to happen) and I have got a month to do all my preparation. so my questions are:

1. Is it possible to keep Bfeeding the baby only in the morning and in the evening before he goes to sleep as I would like to keep doing that until he is 1 year old

2.  If the baby is not breast fed and only on solids does he need formula milk and if yes how long??? (it might be quite hard to bottle feed him as he hates he bottle)

3. Do you think my eating plan can affect his night wakings???

4. Don't you think he eats too little, how to encourage him to eat more?

5. Is it better to stop BF at once or do it gradually?


I would appreciate all answers and all your advice. I am so confused I don't know where I should start. I do hope to hear from you!

Best wishes Angela

[daybyday]

1. Is it possible to keep Bfeeding the baby only in the morning and in the evening before he goes to sleep as I would like to keep doing that until he is 1 year old

2.  If the baby is not breast fed and only on solids does he need formula milk and if yes how long??? (it might be quite hard to bottle feed him as he hates he bottle)

3. Do you think my eating plan can affect his night wakings???

4. Don't you think he eats too little, how to encourage him to eat more?

5. Is it better to stop BF at once or do it gradually?

IMHO, I am not a doctor, and this is just my experience....Simplified!

At 8ish months, my schedule looked like this....(times approx)

7am BF
8am breakfast
11am BF
12pm lunch
3pm BF
4pm dinner
7pm BF
7:30pm bed


#1 Yes...you can keep those two feeds...My DD kept her morning feed for the longest.

#2 Yes, a non bf'd baby will need formula until a year (also depends on where you live) I would have to double check but approx 24 oz in a 24 hour period! You can get his milk products in with his food, or in a cup. Neither of my Lo's ever used a bottle either.

#3 His morning caloric intake looks a little small....

#4 milk is still his main source of nutrition. But getting more into him and making sure he is hungry will help with his intake. It is possible that one of his nw's is a habit vs. need for milk. How long does he nurse for and does he go right back to sleep?

#5 I am more in favour of a gradual wean. My DS weaned quickly (mr. independent early on), but my DD dropped one feed at a time.

Good luck! hth just a little!

~Marie