7 mo- getting enough solids? need to reduce formula?

[becky1969]

My LO turned 7 months old last week, and is 31 weeks old. We started solids at 6 months; we try foods for a week before introducing a new one (he's had a few bad reactions to food, so we're going slow). So far we only have sweet potatoes and squash as tried & true foods, but only have 2 more days of peaches before we can add them to the list.

I have a few questions:

1) We're doing 2 meals now. Should I add a 3rd?

2) He's doing a max of 2.5 Tbs at a meal. Should he be eating more? I'm giving bottle first. Should I be offering solids first now that he's 7 months?

3) He's taking in about 35-45 oz. of formula per day in 5 bottles (we're still doing a dream feed). Should I reduce the milk a little so he takes more solids? Should I offer solids first so that he'll eat more? Or should I do 1/2 bottle, solids, then rest of bottle (if he'll take it)?

4) How do I know when to drop the dream feed? He takes 7-8 oz. each time. Would increasing solids help us to drop it?

Thank you!

[tylersmommy]

It's really up to you and him when you add the 3rd meal. If you feel like things are going well, then you can add it whenever you want.

At his age, it's still important for formula to be his main source of nutrition. He should be around 32 oz per day, and you'll probably find that once you drop the dreamfeed, he'll be right about there. I wouldn't change anything during the day just yet to increase his solids intake...you might wait until you've dropped the dreamfeed and see if anything needs adjusting from there.

It's hard to know when to drop the dreamfeed. A lot of people wait until they've introduced the 3rd meal, some are able to drop it sooner. You can try gradually cutting back on the amount in that bottle and see what happens...good luck!