Feeding schedule for 11.5 month old?

[Hsmum]

I've just introduced protein at lunchtime and heard that you don't give milk at the same time. Before today H was still on 4 bottles a day. His schedule today looks like this:
6.30 Bottle
7.30 Oatmeal mixed with fruit
11.45 Chicken & veg puree (fresh), apple & apricot jar with a little baby rice to thicken
2.00 Bottle
5pm Dinner (probably veggies for the next week or so, until he's used to the protein, fruit)
7pm Bottle

Would this be suitable or should I make some adjustments? He's still drinking formula, am about to start trying him with cows milk (probably the 2pm bottle)
Thank you
Em
Harry 24/03/05

[Hsmum]

Please, can anyone answer my question?

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

I wish I could answer your question (our los are almost exactly the same age, btw , but I'm slightly confused about this myself.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to give formula at the same time as protein - I hope there's not a reason, as we've been doing it for ages

Charlie is still on 4 bottles a day, with extra bottles of water/juice in between. I have been gradually lessening the amount in his bottles, and started solids before milk a couple of weeks ago. I think I will soon replace his lunchtime bottle with juice, to make it 3 a day. We have lactose intolerance problems in our family, so I'm holding off on the milk for a while.

If it helps, your schedule looks fine to me. Are you giving him other sources of calcium, eg yoghurt/cheese/etc? That might be an idea if he's getting less formula.

Sorry I wasn't much help, I'm sure someone else will be more helpful.

Where are you from? I haven't seen you around the boards before. It's nice to meet someone with a lo the same age as ds

[Critter]

Your schedule looks pretty much like mine...my son is 9 months old.  My pedi likes the fact that the "meals" and the bottles are spaced apart.  Eventually you can substitute cow's milk and a snack at those times.  I think it looks good!

[Hsmum]

Thank you both very much, I wasn't really sure! Caroline, I'm from London but I live in Tokyo...bit difficult to get advice as the Japanese have different ideas (eg nurse gave me soup to give "from 8 weeks"!! needless to say, that didn't happen) So you're Welsh? (I just saw the flag!)

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Hee hee, yes we're in North Wales. How did you end up in Japan? I'd love to go - I had a friend to lived there for a year and she said it was amazing (especially the food .

How are you managing with the food for ds? Are you making fresh, or is baby food out there OK?

I dropped ds's lunchtime bottle today, he had a bottle of juice a few minutes afterwards and a bit more solids. Fingers crossed it's OK!

[tylersmommy]

I think your schedule looks great! Once you bring cow's milk into the picture, you may need to add in some snacks in mid morning and mid afternoon. Then again, maybe not...each baby is different! There are some threads in the toddler eating forum that might give you an idea of what Harry's day might look like once he's finished with formula. As you make the transition to milk, make sure Harry's getting a good supply of iron from fortified cereal, meat, or another source.

I also hadn't heard of not giving milk at the same time as protein...the closest I've heard is not to give dairy products with iron foods, as calcium can inhibit the body's absorption of iron.

[Hsmum]

Thanks, Melissa - maybe that's what I was getting confused with, iron and protein...
Caroline, yes, it's a very interesting place to be! The pre-natal care is superb (scans once a month!). Baby food wise, there are Japanese brands (full of sugar and cornstarch!) but there's a limited supply of (U.S) Gerber jars, all organic fruit and veg, so sometimes I use those but usually try to make my own as they're really expensive (about one pound fifty a jar!!! and he'll eat 2 or 3 at a go!)...but fruit and veg is expensive here too!
Hope your little guy does ok - I tried dropping the lunchtime bottle last week but he was ravenous and miserable by dinner time, even though I gave him a little snack...