No bottle between dinner and bedtime?

ladychicago

Even before I started to wean, I noticed DD had dramatically cut down on her last feeding before bed after we started solids. She would only nurse for a minute or two, and now that we are on bottles, she often refuses a bottle all together before bed. Is that weird? I feel like so many people talk about their babies taking a huge bottle right before bed... But she takes a late nap anywhere from 3 to 4pm, and if it is the latter, she doesn't wake up until 5pm. And she takes a 4-6oz bottle when she gets up. We do dinner anywhere from 5 to 5:30pm, and then she is sleepy and ready for bed between 6 and 6:30p. So it makes sense she doesn't eat anything....three meals in and hour and a half is a lot! She sleeps 12+ hours at night, though, so that isn't a concern. My concern is more that she has one less feeding to get fluids, and her intake is on the low side. Should I try to change up her schedule or cut her off with the solids so she takes a bottle before bed? Or just leave it be since she seems content and healthy, as far as I can tell?

Mouseygail

If she's happy and STTN, I wouldn't mess with it too much! If you are worried, could you try adding a little extra to her other bottles, and how is she doing with a sippy? Do you offer her fluids at the solids meal?

OrangeSmoke

I have the same issue - my boys always eat on the low side (less than 30oz of formula a day).

Their last bottle is at 5/5:30ish and we try to get them to bed before 7.  Some days (like last night) they don't eat anything at all after their baths and some days they eat up to 4ozes.  I try not to stress out about it.  Although I do notice that they wake up earlier the next morning for food (like today at 5am).

ladychicago

Mouseygail:

If she's happy and STTN, I wouldn't mess with it too much! If you are worried, could you try adding a little extra to her other bottles, and how is she doing with a sippy? Do you offer her fluids at the solids meal?

I waste so much formula....it is a crime. I always make a good 1-2oz more than she will take with each bottle. Her intake is all over the place, anywhere from 2-6oz before she refuses to take any more. I offer the sippy cup when she eats solids, and she might take 1-2 sips before shaking her head and contorting herself into a position where I can't get to her mouth. Sometimes she will take a few more sips if I offer with a shot glass instead, but it is a pretty small amount regardless.

ladychicago

OrangeSmoke:

I have the same issue - my boys always eat on the low side (less than 30oz of formula a day).

Their last bottle is at 5/5:30ish and we try to get them to bed before 7.  Some days (like last night) they don't eat anything at all after their baths and some days they eat up to 4ozes.  I try not to stress out about it.  Although I do notice that they wake up earlier the next morning for food (like today at 5am).

I am lucky to get 24oz in her per day, including what is in her cereal...

Mouseygail

Sounds like you are doing what you can! She's happy, healthy, growing and sleeping! Can't ask for more!

mrsolsenk12

She looks healthy to me and I would not force her to eat, that can lead to bad problems down the road. As long as she is growing and thriving, then there is no need to change it up. However if she does start to lose weight or have health issues, you will want to discuss it with her pedi.

OrangeSmoke

ladychicago:

OrangeSmoke:

I have the same issue - my boys always eat on the low side (less than 30oz of formula a day).

Their last bottle is at 5/5:30ish and we try to get them to bed before 7.  Some days (like last night) they don't eat anything at all after their baths and some days they eat up to 4ozes.  I try not to stress out about it.  Although I do notice that they wake up earlier the next morning for food (like today at 5am).

I am lucky to get 24oz in her per day, including what is in her cereal...

I hate to say this... but this makes me feel soooooooo much better.  I'm not alone!

I always worry about them not eating enough (esp my skinny harry) and then I feel like I'm shoving food down their throats and they are going to end up obese later on in life. 

Sigh... the life of a mother.

Mouseygail

OrangeSmoke:

ladychicago:

OrangeSmoke:

I have the same issue - my boys always eat on the low side (less than 30oz of formula a day).

Their last bottle is at 5/5:30ish and we try to get them to bed before 7.  Some days (like last night) they don't eat anything at all after their baths and some days they eat up to 4ozes.  I try not to stress out about it.  Although I do notice that they wake up earlier the next morning for food (like today at 5am).

I am lucky to get 24oz in her per day, including what is in her cereal...

I hate to say this... but this makes me feel soooooooo much better.  I'm not alone!

I always worry about them not eating enough (esp my skinny harry) and then I feel like I'm shoving food down their throats and they are going to end up obese later on in life. 

Sigh... the life of a mother.

  I hear you!  becase posts like this make me feel like I'm making my kid fat!!  so silly...sigh...babies eat what they eat, right?

ETA:  I didn't mean anything bad about this post...started getting nervous that someone would read that wrong..I just meant that when I see posts about what other babies are eating, I realize that my super chubby kid is a little piggy   and with weight issues on both sides of our family, I'm not going to lie, it makes me a little nervous!

kme930

Anna and Will are so similar in so many regards, but not this one! He demands a bottle before bed regardless of how recently he ate. He's nuts about it. If he has to wait too long between his bath and his bottle (ie in the winter when we're putting lotion on before his pjs), he goes ballistic!

Anyway, I agree with PPs - if she's happy and eating well otherwise, I wouldn't mess with it!