Confused about milk requirements while weaning

[Raquelita1]

Hi there

I started weaning dd about a month ago - she's always been a hungry and fairly big baby (at just 5 1/2 months she's already 19lbs).  She's taken to it really well, loves all her veggies and fruit, and is now taking solids 3 times a day.  But what i'm a bit confused about is how much milk she should be having, as i know this is still very important.  She is bottle fed (4 times a day) and currently manages the following over the course of a day:

Milk: 20-23oz (plus about 3oz extra to mix cereal)
Gluten free cereal: 3 teaspoons
Baby rice: 5 teaspoons
Fruit: 4 cubes (4oz)
Veggies: 5-6 cubes (5-6oz)

I am following a weaning plan from a book that has been recommended to me by friends, and I'm happy with the way it's going.  But i just need some reassurance that she's definitely still getting enough milk - what are the daily requirements, and does this include milk used in preparaing food?  According to the plan i'm following she should currently be taking 22-26oz over 4 feeds a day, but i'm not sure whether this is supposed to include what's used to prepare her cereal.  Also, how do her milk requirements change as she hits 6 months, 7 months etc.?  I'm scared she'll get fat if she's actually taking too many solids in place of milk. 

Thanks for your help.   

[tylersmommy]

The guidelines I follow for formula intake are from Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. They're as follows:
6 mo - 32 oz
7 mo - 30-32 oz
8 mo- 29-32 oz
9 mo - 26-32 oz
10 mo - 24-32 oz
11 mo - 24-32 oz
These guidelines tend to be a bit higher than others, but that's what I use. You should include formula that you use in preparing food. At her age, I really wouldn't worry about her being "fat" unless her pediatrician has voiced concern. Babies are supposed to be pretty pudgy, and they usually start to thin out on their own once they become mobile and start burning calories. HTH!

[Raquelita1]

Thanks Melissa.  Blimey, it doesn't look like dd is getting nearly enough milk if i am to go by these guidelines.  Including what's used in her cereal she's up to about 25-26oz tops.  Problem is that she just doesn't seem interested in her milk as much these days.  First bottle in the morning and last one at night are fine - she usually takes 7-8oz at these - but then during the day i'm lucky to get 3oz down her at her other two feeds.  And i always give her the milk before solids.  I'm wondering whether i ought to try these two feeds in her nursery with the blind down (like the morning and bedtime feeds), to see if she's just being distracted!!

[tylersmommy]

Cutting down on distraction might help. You can also try cutting back on solids just a bit, but if her intake is still low, I wouldn't go crazy trying to increase it. Guidelines are different from source to source, and I know I've seen some that say exactly what your feeding plan does. HTH!

[Clairebear]

 ::)I am having a similar issue with my babe(7 months old). Have taken him to Plunket and they say as long as he is developing well, growing without a fall off in his steady weight increase and is happy, then really there is no real need to worry. Babies take what they need. Also they have advised to keep offering water so he is getting fluids all the time.Hope this helps ...... it's hard to see only a little being drunk. I found that really difficult when we started weaning to the bottle from the breast(a month ago) ... now I try and believe that baby knows what he needs and will let me know if he isn't getting what he needs.

[corrina01]

My DD is only having about 20-26oz per day, she has always been like it, since she was born she hardly took any milk.  But she is still gaining weight about 1lb - 1lb 2oz a month and the HV are pleased with her (she was 5lb 9oz when she was born). Also plenty of wet and dirty nappies.  She takes about 32oz when she is going through a growth spurt.

She is currently having about 2oz of cereal when she feels like it, (not a morning baby), about 6oz at lunchtime and about 5-6oz at teatime.  1oz-4oz water with her tea.

[jennc123]

Honestly those guidelines are just guidelines, they only way my baby would ever take that much milk would be to be hooked up to an IV !  infact she is not taking her bottles period. so i make sure she is hydrated with water and juice and some milk out of her sippy if i can get it into her! and make up for the rest with solids, yogurt, cheese etc.....