how can i get 8mo to eat more solids

[TracyK]

I am at my wits end trying to get ds to eat a larger quantity of solids.
Most meal times start off well enough - so I know he likes the stuff i'm giving him. But he is eithre full or bored or frustrated as after 20 mins or so he starts to fuss and refuse/spit out. I then try and let him feed himself which he gets another few mouthfuls from that. Mealtimes are lasting almost an hour with a combination of spoon feeding/him using his own fingers and me using my fingres to hand feed him. But the result is usually a lot on the floor and a lot left in the bowl.
It usually results in him waking a couple of times in the night as he's hungry.
I've tried cutting down his milk during the day with no effect on his appetite - so should I increase his milk during the day so at least he's getting something?

bump

8 months is still pretty young. He should be getting most of his nutrition from breastmilk or formula still at this stage. I don't think I'd be worrying about it too much if I were you (easier said than done I know ).

Now if you can help me get more food inside my 2.5 year old, I would be grateful...

do you think i should up the qty of milk instead of decreasing it then? just for the nutrition?
2.5 yo? I thought it was all sussed by then??

tracyk
my dd was and is a bad grubber, but a naturopath i visited re did recommend decreasing the milk, she was over 1 at this point, as mil is v nutriuos so dont be too worried now as he will get what he needs from the milk.
does he only get his milk at specific times? my dd was a divil for bobo all thru the day with water filling her up. they have to be hungry imo for solids

He gets milk on waking and before bedtime and sometimes after solids if he hasn't eaten much. although he usually only takes 2 or 3 oz after solids. He was getting 4 or 5 oz mid morning and mid afternoon until a few days ago when I cut them out to see if he would eat more solids. so i don't know if i should restart these as it doesn't seem to make any diff to his solid intake.
He was drinking a lot of water from a bottle until I changed it to a sippy cup and now he drinks less.
ps he's more than happy to chew on breadsticks/bits of bread/biscuits at any time offered - but don't know how much goes into his tummy.

Try samller more frequent meals/snacks. Might be more of a 'grazer' than a 3 meals a day person. DD was a small eater and I persisted for ages at meal times. In hindsight I would have been better finishing when she had had enough IYSWIM.

By 8 months both of mine were on 3 bottles/bf a day. 3 meals a day plus snacks if that is any guide to what an 8 months old should be having a day.

Also sometimes it may not look like a lot of food but when you think about the size of their tummies it is a lot ...

When was the 2nd bottle given - was it mid afternoon?
What time did you give tea? nursery gives ds tea at about 4pm - but I try and hold out till 5ish esp if he's had some milk at 2.30.

When was the 2nd bottle given - was it mid afternoon?
What time did you give tea? nursery gives ds tea at about 4pm - but I try and hold out till 5ish esp if he's had some milk at 2.30.