Formula After the First Year???

I would start 3 meals and day and 2 snacks and switch to whole milk at 12 months. There is know way I would continue formula for the 2nd year, because of the cost. I couldn't wait to hit 12 months, so I could stop buying formula. Most kids love milk, but it may take a week or 2 for her to like it. It was a big adjustment for my daughter, she refused it a first. We started putting a little milk in her formula and every few days add more and more milk until there was no longer any formula.

For sure start serving her meals 3x a day. Since she hasn't had anything yet, you may want to start with a really mushy rice cereal, mixed with formula or breast milk. Sometimes I mixed baby food in with the cereal so they would get used to the taste, then I transitioned to baby food. My second daughter didn't much care for baby food (could I blame her?). She really liked the fruits, but that's about it. I would just cut up my food really, really small and let her feed herself small portions.

When starting with the food, I always fed the meal and then followed up with a bottle. Plus a bottle before nap and bedtime. Once I was sure they were getting enough regular food at meal time, I curbed the bottles.

She's going to have a great time feeding herself. And it's so fun, as a parent, to see them learn how to take food from a spoon. Have the video camera ready!

Hi M.,
I would start giving her solids three times a day and finishing it with a sippy cup of formula until 1 yr then switch to whole milk. Our pediatrician told us the toddler's formula is a waste of money unless your child isn't getting enough to eat. Step up the solids and finger foods, she needs to learn to eat different textures and tastes. If she has problems pooping, make sure she is eating enough fruits and veggies. As to sleep, it SHOULDN'T affect her sleep unless she has a tummy ache. Start with simple stuff if she hasn't eaten alot of different things yet.
Sincerely,
L.

Hi M.,
Your daughter will enjoy feeding herself soon, if she doesn't already. For my girls, I would just take what my husband and I were eating, and cut it into very small pieces. That way they got used to the flavors and spices that we use. At that age my girls were eating 3 meals plus a few snacks in between. I didn't go overboard with milk (it can cause major constipation in toddlers, or at least, it did with both of my girls). We ended up going to a combination of raw milk (which we buy at our local farmer's market) and soy milk. The good news is, you can save the money on not buying formula anymore! =)

I did not notice any change in my girls' sleeping habits when we went to "real" food. I think you will notice sleeping changes when they hit other milestones like learning to walk.

Good luck and enjoy your toddler!

I would continue with formula if she's not getting enough nutrition with her solids. If you do start with milk, make sure you check for changes in her stool. My 16 month old daughter can't take whole milk (even lactose free), so she's still on formula and drinks a lot of it along with her meals. I feel better that she's getting more than enough vitamins than not enough. But if you see she's getting enough nutrition through foods (eating a variety of meat, veggies, fruits, grains), then you can try milk or give her vitamin drops with her milk or in her food. As for problems with sleep, it can cause problems if she has food allergies. You can tell by her poop and how gassy she is. Also, if she doesn't have enough teeth or isn't chewing "real" foods properly, it can cause problems as well. It's hard on the digestive tract if she swallows without chewing much. So if you see foods which are still the same as they went in, keep her on pureed foods or she'll start having tummy problems or diarrhea. Good luck!

My kid eats 3 meals a day and snacks, and I still have her on formula and she still drinks 30 oz a day..

granted she was a preemie, and she's no where near 20 lbs..

I would step it up to more solids and less formula at this point. Whole Foods has a formula that is for toddlers and you can check that out. It's for after the first year. You'll probably get told to start giving her whole milk after the first year, but as long as she's getting calcium that's not a necessity.

I would talk to your Dr.. Usually you would start milk at 1yr. (unless allergic) But in some cases they will have you continue fromula for a couple months.