Baby refusing formula

[Firsttimer1007]

Hi there,
I started weaning my DS just before 6 months, he is now 7 and a half months. He is a great eater and loves his food, but lately he has cut waaaaay back on the formula he is drinking, without me increasing his portion size or water intake.
He will have between 2 and 5oz before his breakfast (cereal, sometimes I add a few oz milk), then a max of 3 oz in the afternoon (start giving this after his lunchtime nap and usually end up offering it all afternoon trying to get him to drink), and a maximum of about 5 oz before bed, and it's always a struggle to get him to take it, it usually about 3.

He is having enough wet and dirty nappies and seem to be doing well, but should I be cutting back his food so he drinks more?he doesn't seem to eat that much that I would want to cut back any.

How important is it to get the minimum about of 18 oz, or is this just the natural progression of my baby eating more and drinking less milk?

Hi hun,

I weaned my DS (he is now 20 months) at 4 months as he was having 8 8oz bottles a day. Within 2 weeks of weaning he was on 3 full meals a day plus 3 snacks and had cut back to only 3 4oz bottles. By 6 months he was only having 1 bottle just before bed. I just made sure he got a lot of dairy in his diet.

If he is gaining weight, is healthy and happy then I wouldn't worry at all. I certainly wouldn't cut back on his food. I think it is the natural progression of him eating more and taking in less milk, he is just doing it quicker than others that's all like my DS did.

He also gets milk from the food he is eating e.g. you put milk in his cereal. But also the cows milk in puddings, cheese and yogurts will benefit him and it all adds up.

I think you have done brilliantly to have a baby that is happy to eat lots! Well done!

I spoke to my hv about this yesterday at dd 8 month check as she has dropped from her 3 7oz bottles down to about 12 or 13oz over the day. The hv said she should really be taking about 500ml of formula, so she's a bit short. I explained she had quite a bit of dairy in her diet and plenty of water. The hv just said to try to get her to take as near to the 500ml of formula and get some vitamin A & D to top her up.

Thanks, I don't think DS would be too happy if I cut back on his food to get him to drink more milk either! I know he's growing well but I just can't help stressing over the minimum 16oz per day! I wish I hadn't read about the minimum milk intake as is just one more thing to worry about! Good to know your DS wasn't a big milk drinker either and is still thriving!

Hi flippajh,
Did ur hv mention using follow on formula instead? Apparently it has more vitamins in it so can be good for babies who are low on milk intake? I haven't tried it yet but am considering it

No she didn't mention follow on. Just to try the vitamin supplements and keep up the formula as much as I could, but Dd really doesn't seem to want as much and is napping well and sleeping through from 7pm til 6.30 so am happy just to keep going as we are!!