Reduce Formula Intake?

Hi M.,

Is it possible that he is teething? My 10-month old daughter had almost the same eating schedule as your son and was always a good eater, but when her top teeth started to come in, she stopped finishing some of her bottles and did not eat as much either until the discomfort went away. I doubt he is growing out of his bottles. Babies still need just as much formula/breastmilk as always, I believe.

Good luck!

8 months is an in-between age - they still need a fair amount of formula/breast milk, but they are also learning to eat solid foods, and its important, according to our pediatrician, for babies to eat solids at this age. If you think you are offering too much food (since he isn't finishing it) I'd just offer him lesser amounts of the solids and see if that helps him finish his bottle. Or maybe he just doesn't need 4 bottles, try cutting it down to three. Each child is going to be different, and there is certainly no cut and dry here. I disagree that at his age solids are just for "fun" and "experimentation" - he needs to eat solids, even if its small amounts, because he is developing important skills, and establishing eating habits. My son is 7.5 months and he eats 3 "meals" a day and nurses3-4 times and usually once at night. I'd definitely consult your pediatrician, I'm sure he/she can offer some helpful advice! Good luck!

This is the age you usually want them to transition to regular food, the best way is to eliminate his mid am bottle and offer a snack instead, the mum mum crackers are great for 8 month olds and also the puffs. You can offer some formula for a drink along with it or water and juice for flavor. Once he is okay with this then you move onto elimating the early pm bottle and offering a snack also. So eventually your schedule will be, am bottle when wakes up, breakfast around 8am, snack at 11 OR 11:30am, lunch at 1:00, snack after afternoon nap and then dinner and evening bottle before bed. Hope this helps, I currently have a 9 month old in my daycare and this is the schedule he has been on now for a month and he is doing great. Good luck

Hi M., I would second what the first post said, that formula or breastmilk should be primary, and then food. But also, babies and toddlers are grazers. They often don't eat full meals, and it's perfectly acceptable for them to eat smaller "meals" more often. He will communicate when he is hungry. And as long as he is growing and developing normally, there is nothing to worry about. But definitely, give the formula and if you cut back at all, I'd cut back the food. Good luck.

At 8 months old, no, you do NOT want to transition them to 'regular food'. Until they are 12 months, the bulk of their nutrition needs to be from human milk or formula. Right now, 'food' is just for playing, texture, and learning.

You also do NOT give an 8 month old baby juice. There is no need for it, it's not healthy and it's bad for their teeth.

Grazing is normal and you can't expect an infant to eat a 'meal' the way a kid or adult does. Their tummies are too tiny. Grazing is the healthiest way for a small child to eat.

Keep in mind his liquid as well as his food comes from bottles so if you cut back formula make sure he is getting enough water.

For the first year of life breastmilk or formula should be the main source of nutrition. in your case bottle feed first then offer food. Right now food is for fun and expirementing.