When do I reduce baby milk feeds??

[sunseaandme]

Baby is 8mo old has had issues with weight gain due to poor appetite and CMPA so still feeding milk every 3-4 hours currently along with 3 meals a day of solids (doesn't always eat lots but you know how it is a lot of it gets thrown on the floor!).

So when do I reduce milk? He is formula fed. Do I need to actively reduce how much milk I'm giving him or just follow his cues for when he no longer wants it etc. My friend said food before 1 is just for fun so does this mean until he's 1 I try to give him as many bottles as I am currently? Especially as is is on the small side weight wise.

I should add he doesn't have milk overnight most of the time but occasionally wakes for a bottle at 4/5am, but usually goes from bedtime until morning with no milk

Follow baby’s lead. They usually show signs of wanting to drop a feed by reducing the amount they drink at one or more or refusing altogether. He’ll let you know when he’s ready ☺️

My baby is the same age and still having 6 150ml bottles a day and 3 meals. I'm following her lead and i read somewhere that they are not to have snacks between meals before 1 and if they are hungry they are to have milk so your doing perfect!

I was wondering the same thing. Mine is 9.5 months and has been on 3 meals a day for least a month. She has only just dropped a bottle now (was on 5 bottles, now on 4) and drinks 6-7 oz each time so still plenty of milk.

Guidelines are for baby to have around 600ml at this stage so if they are eating well I think you could try reducing the feeds or maybe just cutting one bottle out all together. My LO wasn't eating much because I was giving her loads of milk and as soon as I reduced it her eating really improved. By the time they're 1 you want to be on maybe 3 bottles a day? So just keep that in mind to work towards I guess xx

Sorry I should say you haven't actually said how much they're getting, so obviously only reduce if they're having considerably more than this 600ml guideline! Also check with your HV if there are ongoing weight concerns x

It’s different for babies with CMPA who sometimes need to stay on formula until they are two years old. You should have been referred to a paediatric dietitian who can guide you. If you haven’t ask your GP to do this a per the NICE guidelines. As a general rule I was told my our dietitians to move to 3 meals a day when they get 9 months and to add snacks at 12 months so I wouldn’t be stressing over them not eating much. Food isn’t just for fun before one, it’s essential for a range of nutrients and for the developmental of facial muscles.