Self-weaning??

Definitely agree with SH about checking with the pediatrician. Sippy cups are fun to chew on, but usually they are closer to a year before they can drink much from them.

Be sure to give the bottle first, then supplement with food. I often gave solid foods at breakfast time and dinner - dinner meant that my daughter went to bed nice and full - a good bottle and food held her longer so she slept longer.

Also, how long has been taking less? It could very well be a "stage" - they constantly change - sometimes my daughter eats a ton, other times she is like a bird. Good luck - just keep offering and check with your doctor!

Great suggestions!!!

Just wanted to add...

When feeding solid foods (jar food) make sure he is in a low traffic area, with no TV or other distractions. My son, loved to be a looky loo and watched everything that was going on around him. So, my kitchen where we live wasn't the best place until I made some changes and set down some rules for my family.

Again, I second what Susan said...give the bottle first and then the solid food. Your little one is depending on the nutrients from BM/Formula, and the solid food is sort of a great add-on. He will seem distracted if he's just not hungry.

Ask your pediatrician for a feeding guide...you don't always have to make an appointment...call, and ask to talk to your doc's nurse and they are more than happy to answer questions over the phone. I call mine whenever something pops in my head and I can't figure it out.

http://www.babyzone.com/baby/nutrition-chart.pdf

With my son, he took a bottle until after a year old, and didn't see the sippy cup as anything more than a new toy until well after he weaned. The feeding chart above helped me as a guide, but please talk to your doc.

he might be teething.

For the first year of life, breastmilk/formula is the PRiMARY source of nutrition for a child. Not solids.

Are you giving him his bottle before or after solids? If you give him his bottle "after" solids, he could simply be too full to drink it. Try giving it to him "before" solids instead.

Ask your Pediatrician how many ounces he should be drinking at this age.

Ask your Pediatrician about this as well. But, this is common... babies, like adults, sometimes go through varying levels of appetite sometimes. BUT, make sure he is getting enough/proper intake... and having enough wet/poopy diapers.

Also, check his mouth... if there is any "white patches" in his mouth, it could mean "thrush." It makes it difficult to feed. Also make sure that he is not ill in any way.... this also affects appetite.

If he seems distracted at feeding times... then mmaybe he is simply not interested... this does NOT mean however, that he is "weaning." A baby this age, and older, still needs to drink breast/formula. Don't just stop offering.

Good luck,
Susan

HI Meg...its mom!! I agree with S H, I think its because he is teething, and also I just think he is too interested in everything else around him..he's nosy like his mommy!!! n ;-) Love Mom

They do get distracted at this age. That is totally normal. It doesn't mean they don't want the bottle, you just need to take them to a calm place if possible to have it. As for the weaning, my son did it. It was off the breast but it's the same difference. Offer him more food. How many solid meals are you feeding him a day? Try breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Give him a bottle in the morning, before nap, and at night. See how it works. Good luck!