How/When to reduce bottles/oz of formula before 1yr.?

matt'sbride · December 2012

I've heard from friends that it would be helpful for me to reduce the frequency of bottles or number of oz given in a day as a way to prepare DD for switching to milk after her first birthday. But how exactly do I do this?

Does anyone know the minimum number of oz of formula your child should get in a day (so I don't give too little)?

I know she still needs the nutrition formula provides until she's 1yo, I just also want her to have a nice transition to milk. Any advice?

Thanks!

lvrunningirlie · December 2012

Interested in replies because I'm wondering the same thing... and I'm assuming a decrease in bottles means an increase in solids?

acaudill75 · December 2012

With DD1, I didn't know about the whole transitioning thing. I just used up the last of the formula and refused to go out and buy another canister of it. I gave her a warm bottle of milk (2 % because she was REALLY chunky - 26 lbs at 1 year; the pedi. was ok with that to all you detractors), and she loved it. Real milk HAS to taste better than formula, which smells like blood to me. I will try to wean DD2 since I heard a collective gasp from all my friends when I told them the cold turkey method. I mention it because it can be done. DD1 suffered no diarrhea or stomach issues, no fussiness or anything. It was like a new food to her, and she never cared. She really only gets 8 oz of milk a day now at 2 1/2 because she gets calcium from other foods, and she loves water. I give her chocolate milk as a treat, but her milk dependency is gone. I am a true believer that it all works itself out in the end, and there is no one right way to go about it. Good luck! I'm on my first canister of Enfagrow with DD2, and can't wait to stop spending a fortune on formula in 3 months!!! Oh, one last thing. Give serious consideration to organic milk. It just doesn't have all the hormones in it regular milk does. No need for LO to have boobs at 18 months!

Jen0204 · December 2012

Mine aren't fans of bottles so the transition has been easy for us. We've mostly just followed their lead. They're down to 3 bottles a day now and get 6-8 ounces per bottle. We've also started offering their formula in sippy cups first and then whatever they won't drink we dump in a bottle and give them.

Our pediatrician told us the same thing as PP's - offer solids until they don't want anymore. For dinner now we try to do one finger food (chicken, veggies, ravioli, fruit), one puree, and yogurt (they split a jar of purees and a container of yogurt). At the other meals we still mostly do purees and yogurt. They eat at least 6 ounces at each meal and sometimes more. As they've eaten more solids their formula intake has dropped. As they got older when they would consistently finish their entire bottles we would also start offering an extra ounce each feeding, so all along we've been working on increasing bottles and increasing the time between bottles.

ASmallWonder · December 2012

HilarityEnsued:
acaudill75:
I gave her a warm bottle of milk (2 % because she was REALLY chunky - 26 lbs at 1 year; the pedi. was ok with that to all you detractors),

Weird... because this goes against 99% of the medical knowledge I've ever heard...

And WTF....

Same here. My focus would be on a healthy brain over a slim body.

acaudill75 · December 2012

HilarityEnsued:

acaudill75:
I gave her a warm bottle of milk (2 % because she was REALLY chunky - 26 lbs at 1 year; the pedi. was ok with that to all you detractors),

Weird... because this goes against 99% of the medical knowledge I've ever heard...

And WTF....

Well, my pediatrician was ok with it. She is growing like a weed, still in 95% for both height and weight, speaks in two different languages, memorizes whole stories when we read them to her from books, sings, dances, has beautiful teeth. All her teachers love her and she doesn't get into trouble. I guess I must be doing something right.

acaudill75 · December 2012

HilarityEnsued:
acaudill75:

Well, my pediatrician was ok with it. She is growing like a weed, still in 95% for both height and weight, speaks in two different languages, memorizes whole stories when we read them to her from books, sings, dances, has beautiful teeth. All her teachers love her and she doesn't get into trouble. I guess I must be doing something right.

Easily one of the funniest responses I've read all day.

Congrats on your wonderbaby. You are right... it absolutely is 100% because of you and everything you're doing.

A+.

Seriously??? Who pissed in your guys' wheaties this morning. I gave my daughter 2% milk, and that makes me a monster? She still ate regular yogurt, regular cheese, regular everything. Nothing different except her milk. Get a life. I was offering up what I did. At the time, she was super chunky and I come from a chunky family. Excuse me for not wanting my child to grow up obese. And if I fed her fatty foods, and let her continue to grow chubbier, you would sneer down your nose that I was abusing her by letting her get fat. There is no winning with some people. Take a look at all that medical knowledge out there regarding childhood obesity and diabetes. And, yes, I will take some of the credit for my child being happy and well adjusted. Thank you.

ASmallWonder · December 2012

acaudill75:
HilarityEnsued:
acaudill75:

Well, my pediatrician was ok with it. She is growing like a weed, still in 95% for both height and weight, speaks in two different languages, memorizes whole stories when we read them to her from books, sings, dances, has beautiful teeth. All her teachers love her and she doesn't get into trouble. I guess I must be doing something right.

Easily one of the funniest responses I've read all day.

Congrats on your wonderbaby. You are right... it absolutely is 100% because of you and everything you're doing.

A+.

Seriously??? Who pissed in your guys' wheaties this morning. I gave my daughter 2% milk, and that makes me a monster? She still ate regular yogurt, regular cheese, regular everything. Nothing different except her milk. Get a life. I was offering up what I did. At the time, she was super chunky and I come from a chunky family. Excuse me for not wanting my child to grow up obese. And if I fed her fatty foods, and let her continue to grow chubbier, you would sneer down your nose that I was abusing her by letting her get fat. There is no winning with some people. Take a look at all that medical knowledge out there regarding childhood obesity and diabetes. And, yes, I will take some of the credit for my child being happy and well adjusted. Thank you.

It's a balancing of pro and con that you aren't getting. Don't feed her fried food because it has no health benefits. Whole milk DOES. It's needed for healthy brain development. See the difference?

acaudill75 · December 2012

Well, what are we going to do about those lactose intolerant zombie children? Poor things won't be able to get into a good college, get a job or have intelligent conversations on the bump. I'd say that I didn't drink milk long past two years old, and I have a doctorate, but you would probably spin that around and try to prove your smug little point. So, whatever, to each his own. I'm sure my daughters will learn how to tie their shoes the same time as yours. They will also be able to see their shoes past their tenth birthday.

christinak22 · December 2012

HilarityEnsued:
acaudill75:

Well, what are we going to do about those lactose intolerant zombie children? Poor things won't be able to get into a good college, get a job or have intelligent conversations on the bump. I'd say that I didn't drink milk long past two years old, and I have a doctorate, but you would probably spin that around and try to prove your smug little point. So, whatever, to each his own. I'm sure my daughters will learn how to tie their shoes the same time as yours. They will also be able to see their shoes past their tenth birthday.

Clearly you are a very rational and non-dramatic human.

You're not the kindest, least sarcastic person yourself. Just sayin'.

kelleynb28 · December 2012

HilarityEnsued:
acaudill75:

Well, my pediatrician was ok with it. She is growing like a weed, still in 95% for both height and weight, speaks in two different languages, memorizes whole stories when we read them to her from books, sings, dances, has beautiful teeth. All her teachers love her and she doesn't get into trouble. I guess I must be doing something right.

Easily one of the funniest responses I've read all day.

Congrats on your wonderbaby. You are right... it absolutely is 100% because of you and everything you're doing.

A+.

Idiot.

What gives you the right to say ANYTHING about how someone is raising their child? If she wants to give her baby 2% milk, what is it to you? It's almost like your life sucks SO MUCH that you find entertainment in belittling someone who does something differently than you.

I am giving my 10 month old 2% milk instead of whole milk because he weighs over 30 lbs! And get this: I haven't even talked to my doctor about it! GASP! I just went ahead and did it because I felt that it was best for him. Can you imagine?!?!? And I probably will not mention it to my doctor at all! Because he sucks and won't give a crap what I am giving him!

Oh yeah, and since he is chunky, I have also downgraded him to light beer instead of full flavour. He protested at first but once he gets a buzz on, it doesn't seem to bother him.

Pfft.

kelleynb28 · December 2012

HilarityEnsued:
kelleynb28:

 Idiot.

What gives you the right to say ANYTHING about how someone is raising their child? If she wants to give her baby 2% milk, what is it to you? It's almost like your life sucks SO MUCH that you find entertainment in belittling someone who does something differently than you.

I am giving my 10 month old 2% milk instead of whole milk because he weighs over 30 lbs! And get this: I haven't even talked to my doctor about it! GASP! I just went ahead and did it because I felt that it was best for him. Can you imagine?!?!? And I probably will not mention it to my doctor at all! Because he sucks and won't give a crap what I am giving him!

Oh yeah, and since he is chunky, I have also downgraded him to light beer instead of full flavour. He protested at first but once he gets a buzz on, it doesn't seem to bother him.

Pfft.  

First of all... chillthefluckout. 

Secondly, the main point of a PUBLIC INTERNET FORUM ON PARENTING is to talk about the information we have received and experiences on raising kids.  So in every.single.solitary piece of research I've ever done, including talking to my kid's pedi and two other's at the practice, it was made abundantly clear that the benefits of whole milk for outweighed the benefits of lower fat milks.  Neural pathway development and all.  If your pedi said otherwise, then whoopty-freaking-doo... I don't actually give a fluck what you do with your kid.

And your logic that it's not someone else's place to comment on how they are raising their kid might hold true in real life, but again, this is a public forum on the internet... So if someone came on here and said they were going to feed their newborn solid foods?  Or add water to the bottle?  Or give them juice? Or blah blah blah... You think everyone is just going to be like... la-di-da it's your kid do whatever you want let's talk about puppies and rainbows?

But regarding the beer... that's good thinking on your part.

Whore.

NiniJ55 · December 2012

lvrunningirlie:
Interested in replies because I'm wondering the same thing... and I'm assuming a decrease in bottles means an increase in solids?

Yes, decrease in bottles does mean increas in solids. I'm looking for some advice also. DS was a very healthy eater and practically weaned himself with little effort from me. DD seems to need more of a push and I'm wondering how to proceed this time around. I'm also not sure the minimum amount of formula at this age... DS was still BFing at this age so no advice there.

I'm laughing to myself because this thread contains very little advice for the original poster. I think some of the responses went a little overboard. LOL.

Jamesmama · December 2012

My opinion is u do what u think is best 4 ur baby 2 hell w everyone else's opinion! Seriously, giving ur baby 2 milk isn't going 2 hurt ur child anyone who thinks that is a moron! We all have a mother's intuition, listen 2 it and not other ppl. u will always know what is best 4 ur child, no one else! Warmest holiday wishes;

kcisthebombdotcom · December 2012

acaudill75:
HilarityEnsued:
acaudill75:

Well, my pediatrician was ok with it. She is growing like a weed, still in 95% for both height and weight, speaks in two different languages, memorizes whole stories when we read them to her from books, sings, dances, has beautiful teeth. All her teachers love her and she doesn't get into trouble. I guess I must be doing something right.

Easily one of the funniest responses I've read all day.

Congrats on your wonderbaby. You are right... it absolutely is 100% because of you and everything you're doing.

A+.

Seriously??? Who pissed in your guys' wheaties this morning. I gave my daughter 2% milk, and that makes me a monster? She still ate regular yogurt, regular cheese, regular everything. Nothing different except her milk. Get a life. I was offering up what I did. At the time, she was super chunky and I come from a chunky family. Excuse me for not wanting my child to grow up obese. And if I fed her fatty foods, and let her continue to grow chubbier, you would sneer down your nose that I was abusing her by letting her get fat. There is no winning with some people. Take a look at all that medical knowledge out there regarding childhood obesity and diabetes. And, yes, I will take some of the credit for my child being happy and well adjusted. Thank you.

It doesn't make you a monster--it just means you made a bad call.

https://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/feedbaby.htm

A child at 1 who is in the higher percentiles for weight isn't a problem and doesn't need to given lowfat products to somehow control her weight--that is insane. If you had a kid that was say 5 and was in 95th percentile for weight/10th for height, then yeah, you should probably consider altering her diet. Healthy fats (like in milk) isn't going to make your kid obese. An unbalanced diet with limited physical activity is what causes childhood obesity.

I doubt your child's accomplishments have to do with giving her 2% milk. Meeting some milestones early certainly doesn't mean you gave her the optimal nutrition for brain development either. There are kids in third world countries that survive and thrive on limited nutrition.

Please don't do this again to your second child. It's natural to make a mistake--but if you don't learn from your errors then you're just an idiot. Just because you found one doctor that found it ok doesn't make it so. There are a lot of doctors out there giving lousy advice and pedis are far from nutritionists.

kelleynb28 · December 2012

Holls2011:
kelleynb28:
HilarityEnsued:
kelleynb28:

 Idiot.

What gives you the right to say ANYTHING about how someone is raising their child? If she wants to give her baby 2% milk, what is it to you? It's almost like your life sucks SO MUCH that you find entertainment in belittling someone who does something differently than you.

I am giving my 10 month old 2% milk instead of whole milk because he weighs over 30 lbs! And get this: I haven't even talked to my doctor about it! GASP! I just went ahead and did it because I felt that it was best for him. Can you imagine?!?!? And I probably will not mention it to my doctor at all! Because he sucks and won't give a crap what I am giving him!

Oh yeah, and since he is chunky, I have also downgraded him to light beer instead of full flavour. He protested at first but once he gets a buzz on, it doesn't seem to bother him.

Pfft.  

First of all... chillthefluckout. 

Secondly, the main point of a PUBLIC INTERNET FORUM ON PARENTING is to talk about the information we have received and experiences on raising kids.  So in every.single.solitary piece of research I've ever done, including talking to my kid's pedi and two other's at the practice, it was made abundantly clear that the benefits of whole milk for outweighed the benefits of lower fat milks.  Neural pathway development and all.  If your pedi said otherwise, then whoopty-freaking-doo... I don't actually give a fluck what you do with your kid.

And your logic that it's not someone else's place to comment on how they are raising their kid might hold true in real life, but again, this is a public forum on the internet... So if someone came on here and said they were going to feed their newborn solid foods?  Or add water to the bottle?  Or give them juice? Or blah blah blah... You think everyone is just going to be like... la-di-da it's your kid do whatever you want let's talk about puppies and rainbows?

But regarding the beer... that's good thinking on your part.

Whore.

This has to be the dumbest response to a post ever.  Ever.

Ahhh thank you!

crystaleyes39 · December 2012

acaudill75:
HilarityEnsued:
acaudill75:

Well, my pediatrician was ok with it. She is growing like a weed, still in 95% for both height and weight, speaks in two different languages, memorizes whole stories when we read them to her from books, sings, dances, has beautiful teeth. All her teachers love her and she doesn't get into trouble. I guess I must be doing something right.

Easily one of the funniest responses I've read all day.

Congrats on your wonderbaby. You are right... it absolutely is 100% because of you and everything you're doing.

A+.

Seriously??? Who pissed in your guys' wheaties this morning. I gave my daughter 2% milk, and that makes me a monster? She still ate regular yogurt, regular cheese, regular everything. Nothing different except her milk. Get a life. I was offering up what I did. At the time, she was super chunky and I come from a chunky family. Excuse me for not wanting my child to grow up obese. And if I fed her fatty foods, and let her continue to grow chubbier, you would sneer down your nose that I was abusing her by letting her get fat. There is no winning with some people. Take a look at all that medical knowledge out there regarding childhood obesity and diabetes. And, yes, I will take some of the credit for my child being happy and well adjusted. Thank you.

I Dont think i could ever switch cold turkey but in your defense my pedi told me that new studies show it doesn't matter what milk you give your child they still develop fine. Me being paranoid i'll probably still do whole though.

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How/When to reduce bottles/oz of formula before 1yr.?

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