I really have 2 questions...
1) Our son has started to basically refuse his bedtime bottle. We have cut back the amount of ounces, because we don't want to waste formula -- but he is really down to only about 1-2 oz. now (if we are lucky). I'm a little hesitant to cut out the bottle altogether because I want to make sure he is getting the correct nutrition, but he eats 3 good meals a day and still drinks 2 6 oz. bottles during the day as well. We also know that we have to start working on phasing out bottles starting after a year anyway -- So, I guess my questions is...Should I worry about him getting enough nutrition? Or use this time to eliminate the bedtime bottle?
2) We want to start introducing milk. We'd like to start by introducing an ounce at a time mixed with formula and then slowly cut out the formula. This method worked GREAT when we switched from breastmilk to formula. What are your thoughts on starting a month early? Our son eats all kinds of dairy products and has not shown any food allergies thus far.
First, I forgot to mention that our son has been using sippy cups at meal times for 2 months now, so switching to a cup is fine. What we did was cut out the bedtime bottle completely, but giving milk in a bottle twice a day. However, he only seems to be taking a few ounces in each that way and if he keeps it up this week, we are going to eliminate the bottles completely.
Also, we just did a straight switch to milk and there has not been an issue.
Thanks for all the great advice!
We started introducing milk early (about a month and a half)and had no problems. Sometimes our children just know when they are ready!
Others are right the bed time bottle is usually the hardest to get baby off of! If your son doesn't want it take it as a blessing and stop giving it to him! As for mixing formula and milk, those who say it tastes bad, have they ever tasted formula? Formula is gross! I have 3 kids and at 10 or 11 months with each of them I started mixing and they all drank it fine and are healthy now ages 10, 5, and 22 months! With my 3 I started with 1 oz. milk to 3 oz. formula for a week, then 1/2 and 1/2 for a week, then 3oz. milk to 1oz. formula for a week, then straight milk. They all did just fine on it! I also used a sippy cup at meal time to help prepare for that switch! My first was the hardest to get off the bottle, he was one in August and still on the bottle for bed at Christmas! What I did was while he was sleeping on Christmas Eve. I took all the bottles and got them out of the house. Then, Christmas night when he asked for his bottle, I told him Santa took them when he left the big boy toys, and asked him if he wanted to call Santa and trade them back. He said no and never asked for his bottle again. I know it sounds mean, but it took the blame off of me, and I didn't look like the bad guy to him. I hope this all helps a little.
My oldest son refused bottles at 10 months! I started introducing him to whole milk at 9 months in a sippy cup! He got the sippy cup at meal times (3 times a day). I am a big believer in only having breastmilk or formula in bottles! I think it is harder for children to get off bottles if they get all their liquids from one! He is absolutely fine to give up bottles at this age! He is getting enough nutrition from his food now, so milk would be a good for him! Good Luck!
If he is refusing the bottle them he is ready for a cup and milk. What I have done with my oldest two is start a cup during meal time at about 10 months and then at 11 months or so no bottles at all.
Giving him milk with formula in the same cup tastes really bad. My kids just went straight to milk (whole) for the first year...after a year or so then we switched to 2%...after age 3 they have skim just like the rest of the family. I would try a sippy cup with a soft spout like the Nuby brand (Wal-Mart) it is easy for them to use because it is soft and they are very cheap. I guess that is all the advice I can think of for now. If you have any other questions feel free to ask
C.
When my daughter turned 11 months, we stopped the bottle cold turkey. We still mixed her cereal with formula to make sure she got proper nutrition, and we started mixing formula and gave it to her in sippy cups. We had no fuss at all from her. I gave her milk as soon as she turned a year old, and didn't phase it out at all. One day, we just changed. (I can't imagine milk with formula tastes very good, but that's just me) She's always been a great eater, though, and that may have had something to do with her easy transition. If your son isn't taking his bottle anymore, he's telling you he's ready to move on to something new. :) Good luck! :)
If he is already on dairy and eating 3 good meals a day I would say go ahead and eliminate the bedtime bottle. That is usually the hardest one to get rid of at least for me it was. If the slowly switching over worked from the formula I am sure it will work with milk. Good luck.
We started at 11mo as well with milk. Your child is getting enough nutrition. Vit D milk has plenty. It's only a month early. We never gave our son a night bottle. I mean when he was just born of course he ate every 2-3 hours but he started sleeping through the night at about 2mo.
Go ahead & try just giving him the milk. You are not depriving him of anything!!!!
Good luck! Here's some info from Baby Center, hope this helps.
Multiply your baby's weight times 2.5 ounces
If your baby isn't eating any solids (as he shouldn't before 4 to 6 months of age), the general rule of thumb is to offer him 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight each day. So if your baby weighs 6 pounds, you'll give him about 15 ounces of formula in a 24-hour period. If he weighs 10 pounds, he should drink 25 ounces in a 24-hour period.
Consider your baby's age
How much formula your baby needs depends not only on his weight but also on his age. If you're starting a newborn on formula, try giving him only an ounce or two at each feeding for the first week. Let his hunger guide you.
By the time he's about 1 month old, he'll probably be up to 3 or 4 ounces at each feeding and will consume 18 to 32 ounces in one day. From the age of 2 months to 6 months, you should be feeding your baby 4 to 6 ounces at a feeding, and he'll take in 23 to 32 ounces a day. (Some parents find that an increase of about one ounce per month works out about right.)
Once your baby reaches 6 months, you can feed him 6 to 8 ounces at a feeding, up to around 32 ounces of formula per day. At this point you should start adding solid foods to his diet, if you haven't already. You'll find that as your baby gets older, he will drink fewer bottles with more formula.
If you're worried that your baby isn't eating enough, take a look at his weight gain and talk with his doctor. She can tell you whether your baby's intake is appropriate for his size and age, and advise you about changes you should make to adapt to your baby's individual needs.
