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Six-month-old taking very little milk and preferring food

8 replies

Anon1479 · 01/05/2026 19:04

Hi all, hoping for a suggestion off someone please? I have a 6m baby boy, he is absolutely perfect in terms of milestones, size, weight etc he does have reflux but it’s controlled with omeprazole. He just WONT take more than 1oz at a time when feeding. He very very rarely unless it’s 3am take more than 60-90ml per feed. My HV is aware because of his lack of milk and the fact I can’t seem to get any support off GP or anyone he has 3 meals per day. He definitely prefers food. He has about 500ml milk between 3am and 8/9pm at night but that’s about it. He was poorly Monday and saw a GP who told me I am not giving him enough milk, I explained he just won’t take it and my HV is aware and she just brushed me off. We got sent to the childrens ward and due to needing to collect my other child my husband told them he has 600-700 on a good day which it was up until a couple weeks ago but this is getting worse by the day. I’ve upped his teat size to 3 today which is the max on the bottles he has but it’s done nothing. Anyone got any ideas on how to help him take more milk? Or am I panicking for no reason? He won’t take water but I do keep offering with his food and if it’s a warm day I do bring a sippy cup and give him water when he won’t accept a bottle but he just spits the water down himself.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Kwamitiki · 01/05/2026 19:07

Have you tried mixing formula into his food, e.g. porridge or making things like muffins/pancakes etc using formula? That, at least, would ensure he is getting the benefits of the added iron etc.

Anon1479 · 01/05/2026 19:38

He won’t take porridge but I didn’t think of using it in recipes for food. Thank you!

OP posts:
wishfulthinking25 · 01/05/2026 19:59

My DD was exactly like this. The second she tasted food at 6m she was not interested in milk. My HV told me it’s fine just to include milk in her foods as much as I can along with (real) butter / cheese. Also to give yoghurt / fromage frais.

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RandomMess · 01/05/2026 20:27

It’s fine if he’s eating plenty of food. He probably associates milk with pain from the reflux and the food will stay down better.

mondaytosunday · 01/05/2026 20:38

He’s getting enough milk according to nhs guidelines. If he’s growing and thriving I wouldn’t worry about it.

EmbarrassmentLovesCompany · 01/05/2026 20:41

I've no idea how much milk DS1 took once we started solids - he was breastfed - but he definitely took very quickly to solids.

Go with the flow. Keep offering a variety. Cheese, yoghurt, milk added to dishes all count.

Keep going with water - we ended up with an open cup 🫣. But fruit etc also count for fluid intake.

GoodWater · 02/05/2026 09:56

EmbarrassmentLovesCompany · 01/05/2026 20:41

I've no idea how much milk DS1 took once we started solids - he was breastfed - but he definitely took very quickly to solids.

Go with the flow. Keep offering a variety. Cheese, yoghurt, milk added to dishes all count.

Keep going with water - we ended up with an open cup 🫣. But fruit etc also count for fluid intake.

What's wrong with an open cup? Just the spilling?

We went straight to an open cup (doidy) and I thought it was great. Took her a little while to get the hang of it, but she was drinking independently before one. She does still deliberately pour it out sometimes, but mealtimes are messy anyway!

EmbarrassmentLovesCompany · 02/05/2026 10:41

More that most people thought we were totally bonkers to do open cups.
Yes, the first few months were messy, but I dont regret it - and indeed did the same with number 2.

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