My 8 month old won't drink his formula. I don't know if it's because he's teething maybe his gums hurt? It looks like four of his upper teeth already busted through but he has two more coming out that haven't busted through. He used to drink 6 ounces every 3 hours. But now he won't. He'll drink maybe 4 ounces every 4-5 hours if that. He's down to drinking 2 maybe 3 4 oz. bottles instead of the 4-5 6 oz. bottles he used to drink. He is eating regular food now. He'll have fruit mixed with oatmeal in the morning, maybe some soup and a veggie for lunch and mashed potatoes with a veggie for dinner. Could it be that he doesn't want his milk? If that's what it is that he doesn't want milk he wants food is it not required that he still drink milk at this age? He doesn't seem to be loosing weight, he seems to be a pretty healthy baby. I don't have his check-up until he's 12 months in 3 1/2 months. Should I get him checked out?
Thanks guys! I will definitely keep an eye on him. I did offer him his milk in a sippy cup and I think he liked it but is still kind of hesistant. I'm guessing cuz it's new to him. He doesn't seem to be fuzzy at all maybe it is just that he prefers food over milk. It's been 9 years since my last baby so it's pretty much all new to me! But thank you I appreciate all the input!
E., his appetite has probably just adjusted since he is on "real" food. I wouldn't worry unless he either starts losing weight or acting sick (vomitting, lethargy, etc.). I think most babies and toddlers regulate their eating well. Unlike me, and adult, who just eats and eats until I cannot hold any more food in tummy and my butt no longer fits in my jeans!!! hehehe! Good luck!!
It is prob because he is eating more solids now and just isnt wanting his baba. But if you feel he is loosing weight or just worried a copay is so worth the peace of mind.
He could have an ear infection which is causing him to want to drink less and no other way to tell you than that.
If it were me...I would take him into the doctor just to make sure. since your writing this your concerened and the doctor wont look at you odd for taking him in.
children often change food tastes, if he's getting in all other foods, just moniter the situation for now. I bet it's the teething!
v
He does need milk but is at the age that he is beginning to get more calories from food. The milk/fomula won't be his main nutritional source anymore. As long as he is drinking some and is getting adequate nutrition and calories from food and the food is healthy and well balanced then you have nothing to worry about. It sounds from your post that he is eating well and it is a varied diet with lots of good things for him. You also mentioned that he isn't losing weight, so I know you are observant. He is just transitioning to his next stage. Eating food more and drinking less. Just adjust his diet and offer water and milk to drink and give him lots to eat.
Good luck,
L.
Sincehe is eating now, I doubt that he is hungry enough to drink as much milk. At 8 months they usually go longer than every three hours anyway. I would think he would naturally go 4 or more hours at that age. I think it sounds like he is doing just fine.
It's very possible he's got too many teeth coming in at once and sucking on a bottle could be making it hurt more. Would he drink it out of a sippy cup or maybe with a straw? He's too young to give up formula - formula is broken down and easier to digest than cow's milk, not to mention he wouldn't get the nutrition from cow's milk. He's also going to naturally wean himself from the amount he drinks per day as he eats more and more food so maybe it's partly that as well. Continue offering him 4 ounces with each feeding instead of the 5-6 and see how it goes.
It is very common that when babies start solid food that their formula intake is cut back. I always found it helpful to offer the bottle of formula before the solid food. Even then, your baby may not drink as much as he used to, because he is looking forward to the solid food. As lomg as he is not losing weight, I would not worry about it. If you are still worried about it, then I would simply call your pediatrician and talk to the nurse to get their advice, that way you can calm your nerves. Good luck to you!
Remember that once they are eating more food, they will drink less formula as they are getting full from the food. He is 8 months old, and transitioning into foods and occasional whole milk at 12 months. If he's teething, it could be his gums are bothering him, and some Tylenol and/or rubbing some Orajel on his gums could help. There are also quick-dissolving Homeopathic teething tablets over the counter, I believe made by Similsan(sp?) If he's irritable, and just not wanting to take his bottle at all, it could be a sore throat or ear infection. Watch for a temp. if you suspect that to be the case. Otherwise, it sounds like he's getting full off of his food, and to be honest, I had my first baby at 16, and by 8 1/2 months she was eating all the foods and cereals, and I didn't have much money and I went ahead and started mixing formula with whole milk to wean her into whole milk by 10 months. I know no Dr. would agree, but she was fine and healthy. She had no lactose intolerance prior which made it easier, and she was gaining weight and passing check up's just fine.
Is it just a case of not wanting his bottle ? I know my 4 year old started deciding he didn't really want a couple of his bottles at about 8-9 months. I guess he saw big brother not drinking out of a bottle. I just took those bottles and started putting the formula into a sippy cup (one of those with the really soft spout). He got the knack of drinking out of it really quick and still got his formula in - or at least most of it. You might see if that would work.
You may consider moving to a step uo firmula for older babies. Also, if you normally warm it you might try giving it to him cold. If he is eating solids well, the step up formula will give him more nutrition in less milk.
Add some avacado into his diet for essential fatty acids and good quality fats he needs for growth.
Avoid regular cows milk until after his first birthday bc it is not nutritionally complete.He still needs the formula.
It sounds like he is just getting to be a big boy now! I wouldnt worry to much unless he does start loosing to much weight. All babies loose a bit when they get more mobile, but watch for drastic weight change.
K.
Mom to 5!
It is most likely the teething. I remember my daughter did the same thing. However, if you are still concerned I would get it checked out. I do know kids won't eat or drink if their throats hurt them. It is so hard with babies b/c the can't talk.
I would say he's doing fine. This of his milk now that he is eating food as his drink, like you have tea with your meal.
Hi E., it could absolutely be from teething but my daughter started refusing her formula at about the same time. She would drink other things, just didn't want the formula at all. I finally switched her to ice cold whole milk and she loved it. I think if you can even get 1-2 cups of milk or formula down him a day that he will be fine. You can also give him cheese or yogurt.
My 8 month old does this whenever she has ear infections, a few days to a week before they get so bad that I see her other signs (fever, pulling at her ears, not sleeping). She'll reduce her eating with teething too, but much more so with with ear infections, I guess the sucking action hurts her ears. Just a thought!
