I am a single mother, but my kids go to their Dad's house every other weekend. My 10 month old son is a great eater of baby food, table food, and his bottles. His dad and I got in a debate this past weekend because he said he went 2.5 days (Friday afternoon until Sunday night) without giving my son a single bottle of formula. He said he was fine and ate his food just fine - which is wonderful. The "bottle" aspect of it doesn't bother me... the sooner in a sippie cup, the better! My question is, I personally think he needs to be drinking FORMULA (Isomil) until he's a year old, regardless of what container it's in. It is good for him and he needs it. I have WIC and it's free anyway - but to me, it just seems like its too soon to be COMPLETELY cut it out of his diet. While he's at daycare during the day, he gets 3 bottles - and probably another 1 or 2 after he gets home with me. Am I in the wrong?? What IS better for him because that's all that matters...
My son just turned 9 months and since he's a very picky eater I tried taking off one of the bottles. My Dr and mom both said no way, he needs a minimum of 3 a day for his growth and development.
I would def suggest he continues with 3 bottles, AM, lunch and PM.
Amy
I do agree with everybody that a child needs formula/breastmilk until the child is a year old. My son weaned himself at 10 or 11 months and refused formula or whole milk. I started him on yogurt right away and he loves to eat yogurt. He also ate baby food (jars) and he ate some of the foods that I ate. I told my pediatrician about it who did a blood test on him just to make sure that all of his levels were okay. They were excellent. Okay, having said that. I don't think that it is harmful for your son not to have his bottle when he is at his dad's house for the weekend provided his dad gives him balanced meals and snacks. You might suggest to your ex to mix a multivitamin with the food he gives him which is in liquid form for babies and can be purchased in any grocery store and remind him to give your baby whole milk or yogurt (if he can drink/eat it already).
You are absolutely right. He NEEDS that specific nutrition found in formula. After he turns 1, then you can switch him to whole milk in a sippy cup, but until his first birthday, he needs that formula. His body is not mature enough to break down the nurtients he needs from regular foods. Not to mention, aside from baby food, there are limited foods he can eat since he has very few teeth. He needs the iron and protien especially from the formula. I worked for a while in a very large pediatric practice, so I gained a lot of knowledge on things like this while I was there.
Babies should be getting formula or breast milk until they are 1, after that most pediatricians I have heard of recommend switching to whole milk. As they get older they need less milk(I think my pediatrician recommended around 16-18 oz at age 1)and start getting more nutrients from their food. He should not be going 2 1/2 days with no formula/breast milk at 10 mos.
You are exactly right.....it doesnt matter what container its coming from but babies need breastmilk or formula until they are at least 1 year of age for proper development and growth. Most all of there calories are still coming from that source. the food is just to teach them to eat and gettign them used to different textures and tastes. I dont formula/bottle feed but my daughter is still getting breastmilk 9 times a day from me as well as 3 meals a day and snacks.
