Formula Goal Daily?

HJOHNSTON411 · January 2012

Hi Ladies,

I posted this a few weeks back on 6-9 months, so sorry if it's repetitive . . .

When we went to LO's 6 month appointment, the Dr said to start trying a third meal. He is currently eating 2 solids a day (one fruit, one veggie) - about 2 ozs of each. He takes 4 bottles of formula, usually about 23-25 ozs total.

Well, I was surprised that he wanted me to start a third meal already. I thought that was done around 8 months. LO is 7 months (almost 6 adjusted) and started solids at 5.5 months. Obviously, if he eats a third meal, I don't think he'll take as much formula. Dr said that's fine and that he only needs about 20 oz a day once he's taking a lot of solids.

Everything I read anywhere says 24 oz is a good goal for this age, and 20 seemed low to me! But then again, many babies his age are 18-23 lbs! So maybe that Dr figures 20 oz is enough because LO is only 13 lbs?

Anyway, all the conventional literature doesn't really apply because they are talking about babies that weigh 25-50% more than mine. So, I'm hoping one of you ladies might have some thoughts~! Thanks!

lwmooney87 · January 2012

I don't have a whole lot of insight here but I will give you my LO's experience...

When we went for her 6 month well visit, the pedi told us to consult with her GI regarding solids. So, when we saw the GI about a week or so later he said that we could start with cereal and then VERY slowly start with veggies and then fruit. He said not to rush it at all. She was 3.5 months adjusted at that time. So, at about 4 months adjusted I started with cereal. She did pretty well with it so we slowly progressed to sweet potatoes. She was probably 5 months adjusted by then. She did really well with solids at first. Sometimes she would eat a whole 3.5oz container once a day and she was eating about 27 ounces of formula (24 calorie) daily.

Anyway, a few weeks ago she started showing less and less interest in solids. Some days are better than others. I TRY to offer her solids twice a day. Usually it's just a couple bites each time. I noticed that fruit seems to upset her reflux. I haven't pinpointed a specific one. I've noticed a big difference in her frequency of poopy diapers (not nearly enough) so the solids caused constipation, which is weird. We actually had to start giving her Miralax. We are at 6 months adjusted and she eats a few bites of solids at least once, maybe twice a day. I can barely get her to open her mouth for them now. She has absolutely no interest. I see no difference in her intake of formula if she eats solids or if she doesn't. Right now, she's getting between 27-30 ounces of formula a day.

I don't know how her pedi/GI are going to react to this and honestly, I don't care. I can't MAKE her eat. I figure, she will when she's ready. I will offer it to her obviously. Her weight gain is slow. So they are probably going to have an issue with that. I think she's only gained about 2lbs in 3 months. I don't get it either because she's on 24 cal formula and eats a fairly good amount. She's VERY active these days though and doesn't nap nearly as much as she used to. (She's even waking up at night now...I don't know what's up with that)

Anyway, long story short...every baby is different (especially preemies). Just offer it to him when you feel comfortable and he will take off with it when he's ready. I'm beginning to think my DD will NEVER like to eat. lol It's frustrating, I know. If there's one thing I've learned, it's to have patience. My LO does thinks on her own time, on her own terms.

nayandjosh · January 2012

Hi! We've been on the same routine from the time my LO was 6 months adjusted (9 months actual), he's about to turn one so that will change soon. Our OT that comes once a week suggested our routine and our pedi has always been on board with whatever she says. Our day : wake up 7:30 - 6 oz bottle, 10:30-ish 4 oz bottle with an ounce or two of it mixed with 2 tbsp cereal and add half stage 2 fruit for taste. 2 pm - 4 oz bottle and whole veg or meat, 5:30-ish 4 oz bottle and cereal with the other half of fruit just like the 10:30 meal, 7 pm -ish 6 oz bottle and bed. We give him the whole bottle or remainder of the bottle (if at 10m or 5 pm mealtime) first before the actual food. That means is 24 oz of formula total, about 4 tbsp cereal total, and at least 2 stage 2 foods a day. Lately, he never takes all 24 oz but he usually will take 18-20 oz per day. I also follow the Sleep Sense program's "eat play sleep" methods so its a pretty solid routine. I hope this helps, and just know that our OT watches him to see how well he's doing with his feeds but its true every baby's different.

HarmsMomma · January 2012

Our LO takes 3 "meals" (or attempts to eat solids) a day, but he *maybe* takes 4 oz. total of solid food per day. (So it seems like what your LO eats in 2 meals is what our LO eats in 3, if that makes sense?) FWIW, our pedi said she felt it was more important to establish a breakfast/lunch/dinner idea than it was to really get him to "eat."

I make 24 oz. of formula each day. Some days he'll have it all, somedays he'll have some left to be dumped. He's had a steady weight gain despite his reflux so I try not to worry. If he goes awhile with only having 20 oz. or so, I just run him to the pedi's office to check his weight They never mind and I always feel better.

HTH!

HJOHNSTON411 · January 2012

HarmsMomma:
Our LO takes 3 "meals" (or attempts to eat solids) a day, but he *maybe* takes 4 oz. total of solid food per day. (So it seems like what your LO eats in 2 meals is what our LO eats in 3, if that makes sense?) FWIW, our pedi said she felt it was more important to establish a breakfast/lunch/dinner idea than it was to really get him to "eat."

I make 24 oz. of formula each day. Some days he'll have it all, somedays he'll have some left to be dumped. He's had a steady weight gain despite his reflux so I try not to worry. If he goes awhile with only having 20 oz. or so, I just run him to the pedi's office to check his weight They never mind and I always feel better.

HTH!

Thanks!

Can you tell me how your do your three meals/schedule? I followed the Baby Whisperer approach of doing bottle and then meal two hours later. But that doesn't seem very conducive to the idea of bkst/lunch/dinner because it just means that he's eating (bottle or solids) 6 times a day. Thanks again.

HarmsMomma · January 2012

HJOHNSTON411:
HarmsMomma:

Our LO takes 3 "meals" (or attempts to eat solids) a day, but he *maybe* takes 4 oz. total of solid food per day. (So it seems like what your LO eats in 2 meals is what our LO eats in 3, if that makes sense?) FWIW, our pedi said she felt it was more important to establish a breakfast/lunch/dinner idea than it was to really get him to "eat."

I make 24 oz. of formula each day. Some days he'll have it all, somedays he'll have some left to be dumped. He's had a steady weight gain despite his reflux so I try not to worry. If he goes awhile with only having 20 oz. or so, I just run him to the pedi's office to check his weight They never mind and I always feel better.

HTH!

Thanks!

Can you tell me how your do your three meals/schedule? I followed the Baby Whisperer approach of doing bottle and then meal two hours later. But that doesn't seem very conducive to the idea of bkst/lunch/dinner because it just means that he's eating (bottle or solids) 6 times a day. Thanks again.

He's got a pretty consistent bottle schedule:

7/8AM -- bottle

11AM/12PM -- bottle

2/3PM -- bottle

5/6PM -- bottle

8PM -- bottle& bed

About 30 minutes after the 7am, 11am, and 5pm bottles, we'll try solids. (Since they're times everyone else in the house is eating). It seems to work well for us. I hadn't heard of the 2 hour idea though? I just always make sure he has a bottle first, since I want him to have the formula more than the solids.

On a side note, those bottle times that match solids are also the times we have the least amount of spit-up. No idea if it "goes together" or what, but hey! I'm happy with a little less spit-up each day

Want a personalized experience?

Formula Goal Daily?

Re: Formula Goal Daily?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards