Weird I know but... what times do you give milk to one year old???

[Megewansmum]

Hi

I know this is a weird question but talking to other mums has got me thinking I'm doing it all wrong. My DD has just turned one and is relatively tiny. She is 19lb 10oz now. She had loads of issues with reflux, allergies, sleep etc. The list was quite endless but its all good now though thankfully. She has always drunk very small quantities of milk, no more than 3.5 to 4oz per bottle or sippy. She's offered milk, well formula at the moment 4 times a day. The pediatrician has told me that as she only drinks small quantities not to drop a feed.

I followed the BW routine of EAS whereby she would wake from her naps and have a bottle or sippy. Basically she has her milk with her snacks. Now she is on one nap a day so our routine is as follows:-

Wake 5.45/6.00
Milk 6.30
Breakfast 7.30
Milk & Snack 10.00
Lunch 11.45
Nap 12.30- (somewhere between 2.15 & 3.30)
Milk & Snack (somewhere between 2.15 & 3.30 depending on length of nap)
Dinner 5.15
Bath, Milk & Bed 7.00-7.15

Most mums it seems give milk with meals. Firstly, this would either make breakfast really early or would make her anxious and wonder where her milk was and secondly from previous experience I don't think she'd eat much solids if she had milk beforehand. She eats very little also but is happy & doing great so I'm not overly concerned about her milk and food intake. I think she is just a petite LO with very low food needs. I'm just concerned as she doesn't drink at all with her meals. Should I switch it around? Does anyone else do it this way? I'm not sure if its wrong or not or is something that needs fixing. Just first time mum worrying I guess.

Thanks to anyone who can offer any advice.

[momtonb&ab]

my suggestion is that if it is working, stick with it. 

as she gets older, or your family needs change, you can tweak as need be.  but if she needs the milk and that is how she is getting it and it works for you, don't worry about what others are doing.  each little one is unique and she sounds perfect to me.   i think it is great you offer milk in a sippy, that is a good thing.  perhaps continuing to do that you will soon be able to offer a sippy of milk with her meals (near the end of solids) as well to see if you can get more into her.  it will also help to wean the bottle when you are ready if she is also taking milk from a sippy.

[Lolly]

I agree  - if it's working for your family and she's getting what she needs then carry on!

I will move this over to eating for toddlers too!

Laura

[Megewansmum]

Momtonb&ab and Lolly

Thank you both so much for replying. It just gives me that bit of reassurance. Glad to know that I'm not completely messing up this mum thing :-)

[momtonb&ab]

you are a great mom!!!!  always trust your instincts!  you know your LO best. hugs.  come back anytime with questions.

[Megewansmum]

Thank you 

[Lissybits]

Well Leo is 15 months and he has milk 3x a day but not with meals - it would certainly take the edge of his appetite if I offered milk with his meals!

So he has a very quick BF when he wakes up (the only time he's interested ) and then cows milk at 10am before nap, at 4pm after he wakes up from his 2nd nap and then before bed.
As PP's have said - if it works for you then carry on!

[Megewansmum]

Thanks Lissybits

So glad to hear that someone else doesn't give milk with meals. I was beginning to think I was completely screwing up her eating habits.

She eats and drinks so very little its so hard sometimes not to worry, especially when you see other LO's eat so much so often too. I know you aren't supposed to compare as every LO is different but its become so noticeable now with the older she gets.