8 month old not eating/drinking enough during the day

[zah]

My 8 month old was born a small slim baby. he has never been a big milk drinker and never went above the 9th centile in weight. Was told that i had nothing to worry about as long as he was alert and happy during the day. I introduced him on solids at 6 months and quickly established him onto 3 meals a day, including milk. however his intake of solids is very small during each meal and he rarely drinks more that 6/8 ounces of formula during the day. he does have a habit of waking every two hours at night for a 5/10minute comfort feed which is tiring me out. other mums have said that he is going hungry during the day which explains his night feeds and early morning waking. how can i get him to eat and drink more during the day? please help!!

I don't know how to help but just wanted to show sympathey. Do you keep offering him milk at different times during the day? Also, snacky bits are often popular with babies; cooked carrots, bread sticks etc.

I think you should talk to your HV or GP. It might be that the amount he is having (although small, especially the milk) is ok and you don't need to worry just yet (he'll eat when he's hungry and all that) but it can't help to have him checked out.

If it helps, my DS wouldn't really eat solid food until he was almost 10 months old - sometimes not a mouthful for days. It was a nightmare; I was so worried. Every meal was a battle. He is still fussy now and if he is poorly or in a bad mood his appetite is the first thing to go. He is v healthy though. Food can be such an issue with babies and small children - drives me wild.