Want to Drop Dream Feed but DD Drinking Less Formula

[texasavery]

My DD consistently downed 8oz of formula until we started solids at 6 months. Now at 7 months her formula intake has dramatically decreased to about 3 oz. per bottle and around 15 oz. total for the day! This has been going on for 3 weeks. She is happy and sleeping fine and having wet diapers, but the nurse says she needs to drink at least 25 to 30 ounces! My doctor says do not worry about it and that she will drink what she needs... Thoughts? Also, I want to drop the dream feed, but then she will be drinking even less! Should I drop it?

You would think she would make up for the lost ounces during her other feeds, if I drop the dream feed, but she may not!

[matthewsmama]

How much does she weigh and how many solids does she take at each feed?  You are supposed to feed them 2 ozs per pound including formula and solids, so if she is doing well with the solids she might not need as much fromula.  If she is sleeping well and gaining weight and your dr doesnt seem to think its a problem, thna maybe she is doing fine.  Follow your instincts, mother knows their kids best and maybe she doesnt need as much food now or she might be going back to more ounces in af few days.

[texasavery]

Thank you for the responses! I guess I know the answer and that is that she is totally fine. She is eating PLENTY of solid food, definitely gaining weight (she's a chubby little thing), has plenty of wet diapers, is happy and sleeping well, etc. And the nurses in our practice tent to be overlycautious, which I appreciate and the doctors more laid back. I will try the plan you suggested for removing the dream feed. I'm ready for that to be done! Thanks.

[oilerbaby]

Which do you give her first - solids or bottle?  I was always told to offer the bottle first and solids afterwards because the milk is more important at this age. 

[texasavery]

Yes, I was told the same thing. I give her the bottle before all meals, except the evening. She eats dinner, between 5:00 and 5:30 and then has her bedtime bottle at 7. I tried giving a little less solids anyway, but it didn't seem to do anything.

[alikat]

I'm so glad you posted this.  I'm going through a very similar situation too.  My DD has never been a big drinker.  She averages 4oz when I give her a bottle and because of this I'm still giving her 5 bottles a day. One when she wakes, one mid morning, one mid afternoon, bedtime, and the dreamfeed.  She's 8 mnts old and eating 3 solids and usually a little fingerfood snack and is managing quite well with that.  Though I don't think she's eating loads. 
I'm ready to drop the dreamfeed because I think she can make it through the night if she would only take more during the day.  My concern is how do you drop the dreamfeed gradually when DD is only taking 3 or 4oz anyway.  It doesn't leave much room for change.  Has anyone had success going cold turkey?  I've already changed the feeding time to 9:30 and only offer her 3oz.  I suppose in a few days I move it to 9:15 and offer her 2oz, but is this just a tease? 
My other concern is that while I'm not really worried because DD is healthy and thriving, she's not gaining a lot of weight.  She's dropped from the 75% to just below the 50% on the chart.  Will she supplement her dreamfeed during the day?  I'm not to confident on that point.
Any suggestions would be great.