BLW and Formula Feeding

[luna40]

Hello all, I have been formula feeding my 9 month old since he was 6 months. Around the same time we started BLW. I intended on doing a combination of purees and finger foods, but DS has never let me near him with a spoon, he is only interested in doing things himself. So we've been going with the flow. He really enjoys playing with his food, exploring, shoving into mouth, and sometimes eating, but not always. Only about 1.5 months ago did I start to see a change in his nappy.. Some days he eats loads, others, he hardly swallows anything. I think he's still learning the coordination.

Heres the thing: He's not really dropped any of his bottles, he's still on 4 a day (whispers plus a night feed). I have tried and tried to drop a feed, or reduce the Ounces, but he has a complete meltdown if I do so. And then is completely cranky until the next feed. I feel he genuinely is still hungry. And it must be because he's not having enough solids. Many parents at play group say, well stop feeding him milk and he'll be hungry enough for the solids. But naturally I don't want to starve him, and I'm worried he's just coordinated enough to fill himself with just finger food..

Any advice?

Milk is their main source of nutrition until they are one. Simples. Don't worry about how much is going in, he will get there and he will enjoy the process and so should you!

Do not worry! We had the same and I just continued to feed on demand. She has now dropped to just one bottle before bed and has been like that for ages. In a week she went from 5 a day to one a day. Don't try to push it, he'll let you know when he's ready.

He's 9 months old, milk is still his main source of nutrition, feeding in the night is fine. He is enjoying exploring his food. It all sounds good to me

Thank you! Already feeling better!

My DD is also 9 months and has 4 bottles of milk and sometimes one at night too. She also varies her food intake. Today I'm pretty sure all of it hit the floor, other days she eats well. Its hit and miss... Literally

Around 9 months was when we noticed a turning point with DS. He started eating a bigger volume and while we had just been giving him bits from our plate, I started to need to consciously make extra for him as DH and I were losing too much of our meal! A month or so later he cut down from 4 to 3 feeds and just after a year, he cut down to 2 feeds.

So I wouldn't worry, it'll suddenly click with him too.

Dd had four bottles at nine months. Don't worry - milk is the main thing until he's one.

I think she dropped one at about ten months. Then had a cup instead at lunchtime when she was one, then at breakfast a few months later. The evening bottle has just fallen away in the last week - she's 22 months.