He'd rather have table food

Lynda836 wrote: I know he's supposed to get most of what he needs from formula or br milk, but he's really is fighting me with the bottle lately. It's sometimes hard to get even 20 oz into him. But give him solids, he's happy as a clam. Is this just a phase? He's only 8 1/2 months. Could it be because he's teething? I'm just worried he's not getting enough...esp fluid.

My3LilMonkeys replied: At his age there is no reason not to give him table foods IMHO - but he should still be getting breastmilk or formula also. I would say offer the breastmilk or formula (whichever you use - you didn't specify) first when you think he is hungry. Once he has had his fill of that, then give him some solids to keep him happy.

my2monkeyboys replied: Is he eating any baby foods yet? I know most peds say to give them cereal/baby foods around 4-5 months old. If not, that's probably why he's wanting it so bad. I agree with what was said above. Also, with my son I gave a bottle in the AM, then fed him food (baby/mashed up table food), then a bottle, food, etc. spacing each thing about 2-3 hours apart. His doctor had said to try to get 20-24 oz of milk in him each day, but even when he was getting just milk he didn't eat that much... he has always been small and only eats a little. I'd go with what your child is wanting, and give the bottle as much as he'll take it.
Hope this helps!

gr33n3y3z replied: if he wants table food then feed it to him
Its better for him any way

My 1st got baby food until he was 7 months old then it was all table food
With the other 3 kids never bought a jar of that stuff

Happy eating for your son

jacobsmama replied:
I agree....Let him have it.

Lynda836 replied: It's not that he likes solids that bothers me. He's been eating solids since he's been 4 1/2 months old, and at 8 1/2 months is eating a large variety of cereal, F/V, meat--all homemade--, and cottage cheese and yogurt. My worry is that he really isn't drinking a whole lot...and I know it's recommended they get formula or br milk for the first year. I was lucky if I got 12 oz of formula in him today (i just weaned him from the breast in the last month). I've tried giving a bottle between meals and I've tried before meals. But like I said...it's like a fight lately. He smacks hit away or chews on the nipple vs drinking. He hasn't got the hang of a sippy cup yet so I can't get a whole lot of fluid in him that way. I'm just concerned he's going to end up constipated or not continue gaining as he should.

lisar replied: Raygen is the same way. 10mths old and she refuses to eat baby food anymore. It has to be what we are eating. I am getting used to the idea. I am not fond of it cause I am still scared she will choke on it. Even though I mash it up pretty good. She does good with it though. I think its the flavors now. Once she tasted real food that was it.

coasterqueen replied:
I'm sorry Lisa, but this is one thing I will have to completely disagree with.

It is proven, whether a child is breastfed or formula fed, that it is healthier for the child to get most of their nutrition (i.e. like 90% if I remember correctly) from breastmilk or formula for at least the first 12 months of life for optimal brain growth and development. Anything other than that is really short changing the child IMO. Studies have proven this and yes, I know we all might have been fed this way or fed our children this way and they are just fine, but times change and studies show that the milk/formula is so much more healthier for them. It is recommended that solids JUST be tastes til the first year of life. "Tastes" is a very small amount.

Is it that he REALLY wants solids or is he just wanting something to play with? Have you just given him a bowl and a spoon while you are eating? Now my first was fine with this, my second wasn't and she does have a love affair with solids, literally. So I give her as much as she wants w/in reason but I ALWAYS make sure she gets the recommended/adequate amount of breastmilk first.

Are you breastfeeding him or exclusively pumping? I'm confused on the bottle issue here. Can you explain more? Maybe I can give you some more ideas once I understand that more fully.

MyLuvBugs replied: Well, as he gets older (closer to 1) he is going to be cutting back on his liquid intake. That's what my Dr. told us. 12oz. though seems like not enough IMO. But 12oz is better than nothing, and he is getting liquid from his foods too. Perhaps, he just doesn't like the taste of the milk?

Lynda836 replied:

I was able to get 15 oz of formula today. I agree it's not enough...I've been trying to aim for 24 oz a day because that's what he was having, on the low end, before he started eating solids. I don't think it's the taste of the formula either because he's been on it for 4 months without a problem.

I don't want to start a debate on how much solids babies should or should not have, but I don't think I'm going overboard. I stick to the lower range for the nutritional guidelines for infant feeding for our province, so I don't think the amount of solid food he's getting is reducing his formula intake.

I guess I'm wondering...has anyone else's baby gone through refusing the bottle/breast around this age (8 1/2 months)....and if so is it usually a short term thing? If it a typical thing and usually short term I won't worry so much. I'm just a bit stressed because he's suddenly changed his eating habits....and just before I go back to work---my first day is tomorrow .

Thanks!

coasterqueen replied:
Yes, babies can refuse the breast at this age. I'm not sure about bottles, though. It's referred to as the distractible phase. They get really interested in everything else around them (usually solids isn't the culprit, though) and it's hard to get them to sit down long enough to nurse. Although I take back the bottle issue because my sitter has told me sometimes it gets difficult to get Megan to take her bottle when there's so much commotion going on in the house.

Have you ever tried taking him into a dark, noise-free room, holding/rocking him and feeding him his bottle? I used to have to nurse Kylie in rooms like that.

Cece00 replied:
This.

You need to try to do what you can to get him to drink more formula/bm

THEN once he's had what he is supposed to have, try table food.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Just my opinion but, when it comes time to wean him you will be thankful he doesn't want it. At least he's not too attached to it where it will be hard to take it away when the time comes. Have you tried a sippy cup? Those take and toss ones are easy for infants to start on because you can sqeeze them to let them know what is in it. Put formula or breastmilk in the cup instead. If he wants table food, don't be discouraged in giving him them. My son was 10 months when he went on an all solid diet. He refused anything from a jar when he got his first taste of chicken! If you are afraid of choking just cut pieces up really fine. Gerber makes great entrees that are small enough for them to pick up and eat. If you are worried about nutrients you can suppliment with baby vitamin drops too. Good luck! Aren't the strong willed children fun;)?

Oh, and the suggestion about giving him the bottle/cup before the solid foods is a good one!

MomtoPate replied: I watch my best friend's baby girl a few times a week and she is 11 months old. She has not really wanted formula for a while now (I would say about 9 months) She will still take it right before her nap or bedtime, but really, this is about all. She is only getting about 12-15 oz of formula a day...well, I do mix some up in her cereal/oatmeal in the mornings as well...so she is gettnig about 14-17 oz a day. She loves her food....it is a struggle to get her to take the bottle, but I know that she needs it for her development. Of course, in less than 2 wks she will be a year old, and she can be taken off of the formula all together if her parents choose. It is a hard, I know. My son didn't like food...he still doesn't...lol...so on one hand, it is nice when your child WANTS to eat but then you also want to make sure that they are getting what they need for their development...I would continue to push the bottle...but he will probabaly not like my idea too much!

Lynda836 replied: Thanks guys! You've been a great help. We had a ped appt yesterday and DS is growing and gaining the way he should. Doc said to aim for 20-24 oz formula still.

I've decided to try rearranging DS schedule, getting him up earlier for a bottle...even if he goes back to sleep right after. His sleep sched is a bit screwed up again (he's keeping late nights again) so I actually have to wake him up sometimes to do this. The early bottle does help keeping a reasonable timing for other meals and bottles. I've been giving his other bottles about an hour an half or two hours before his next meal. If his sched get off because of a sudden nap...I've decided to give the bottle priority. We'll see how it goes.

Sudden eating changes just makes things a bit stressful right now. I just started back to work and then in another week, I'm going away for work for 4 months. I'm just trying to get things back on sched as I can for DH before I leave.