LO prefers solids over milk

wimamaof2

LO just turned 5 months.  We've been giving him solids for about a month. Before solids, he would drink between 30 to 35 oz a day.  Each bottle was between 5 to 11 oz (depending on his appetite).
I understand that he will drink less because he is eating solids, but I didn't realize it was going to be a lot less.  As of 2 days ago, he will drink between 3 oz to 5 oz per feeding (averaging 14 to 20 oz a day).  He will devour his purees and cereal though.  I make his food and we also give him gerber 1st stage food.  
We tried just giving him solids every other bottle and starts being fuzzy until he gets his solids with each meal.  We give him his bottle before giving him any solids.
Today, he had 3 oz and 1 tablespoon of cereal mixed with water (only likes it mixed with water).  3 hours later, he had 4.5 oz of milk and homemade pear puree.  3 hours later, he had 4 oz of milk, 2.5 oz of carrots and 1/2 banana mixed with cereal (even tried to give him more milk before giving him the other puree and he didn't want it, but was so happy when I offered the banana).  At bedtime, he had 3 oz.
We are so thankful that LO is a great eater, but I cannot help to wonder if he's getting enough nutrition now that he's drinking a lot less milk.  I will be calling his pediatrician on Monday. 
Do any of you ladies have a similar situation?

Ceridwen77

Definitely call your pediatrician. They will probably look for weight gain and wet/dirty diapers so keep that in mind. "Food is fun" for the first year so you're right to be concerned, but your baby also won't starve himself so I'm sure everything's ok. I don't have any personal advice because we haven't started solids yet. 

MoRay05

I would also suggest calling your Ped. Our Ped recommended only feeding LO solids twice a day for now. Sounds like your LO is really putting you to work with a bottle and solids at every feeding!

AmoLovesAud

Why are giving solids after every bottle?  Our ped said to only offer solids once a day, at a typical mealtime, then increase to 2 and eventually 3 meals a day, then add in 2 snacks after weaning.  At 5 months, he shouldn't be eating more than a TBSP or 2 of solids per day.

wimamaof2

Talked to the pediatrician today.  At his age, LO should be drinking 24 to 27 oz and 2 solids.  We did that today.  So far, he's cosumed 20 oz and had 2 snacks of solids.  I will dream feed in about an hour.  Also, another reason why he's not drinking as he should is probably because he's teething.   His 2 bottom teeth are poking through.
We change his diapers every hour or 1.5 hours during the day.  We are so lucky that he sleeps through the night.  He normally has 1 to 3 dirty diapers a day and has gained 2 lbs in a month.
We will try to feed him a smaller bottle more often.  

wimamaof2

AmoLovesAud said:

Why are giving solids after every bottle?  Our ped said to only offer solids once a day, at a typical mealtime, then increase to 2 and eventually 3 meals a day, then add in 2 snacks after weaning.  At 5 months, he shouldn't be eating more than a TBSP or 2 of solids per day.

I got too worried that he wasn't drinking his normal amount and decided to supplement with solids.  Before, we would give him solids 2 times a day, but since Friday, he's been getting them after each bottle.  He would stop drinking and get mad because he was still hungry but refused the bottle.  I didn't know what else to do.  

AmoLovesAud

lialetellier said:

AmoLovesAud said:

Why are giving solids after every bottle?  Our ped said to only offer solids once a day, at a typical mealtime, then increase to 2 and eventually 3 meals a day, then add in 2 snacks after weaning.  At 5 months, he shouldn't be eating more than a TBSP or 2 of solids per day.

I got too worried that he wasn't drinking his normal amount and decided to supplement with solids.  Before, we would give him solids 2 times a day, but since Friday, he's been getting them after each bottle.  He would stop drinking and get mad because he was still hungry but refused the bottle.  I didn't know what else to do.  

I was on a med once and couldn't nurse for a few hours, and my kiddo refused a bottle but was screaming in hunger.  I called my ped's office and a nurse there assured me that babies will not let themselves starve, if nurishment is offered and they're hungry enough, they'll eventually take it.  It seems like you mostly have it, but yeah, I think your kid wants smaller bottles more often.

VexedMommy

AmoLovesAud said:

I was on a med once and couldn't nurse for a few hours, and my kiddo refused a bottle but was screaming in hunger.  I called my ped's office and a nurse there assured me that babies will not let themselves starve, if nurishment is offered and they're hungry enough, they'll eventually take it.  It seems like you mostly have it, but yeah, I think your kid wants smaller bottles more often.

This advice goes for older kids too.  Your child will eventually eat what's put on the table for them, even if they swear they're on a hunger strike until it's cookies and ice cream for dinner. 

bellie1223

VexedMommy said:

AmoLovesAud said:

I was on a med once and couldn't nurse for a few hours, and my kiddo refused a bottle but was screaming in hunger.  I called my ped's office and a nurse there assured me that babies will not let themselves starve, if nurishment is offered and they're hungry enough, they'll eventually take it.  It seems like you mostly have it, but yeah, I think your kid wants smaller bottles more often.

This advice goes for older kids too.  Your child will eventually eat what's put on the table for them, even if they swear they're on a hunger strike until it's cookies and ice cream for dinner. 

This is great advice. I know so many parents whose kids refuse to eat what's served for dinner and will hold out for waffles, cookies or cereal later. Gee, I wonder why they don't want to eat what you offer them the first time? And the parents all say just wait until your kid is starving because they refuse to eat and see what you do. My kid will be getting their leftovers... (Within reason, of course, I don't expect that they are going to like and/or finish everything on the plate).

Sorry this is off topic, it just gets my goat!

AmoLovesAud

@bellie1223 oh same here.  I babysat a 10 year old once that would pull that.  He'd whine through dinner and not eat, then get sugary cereal before bed.  I'll always do my best to make sure there's something somewhat kid friendly on offer, but yeah, eat what's served or don't eat.  Skipping dinner won't kill a kid.