D.N. asks from Brookhaven, NY on October 21, 2008
6 Month Old Suddenly Doesn't Want to Finish Bottles
Hello. My son is 6 months old and this week, he is starting to turn away after eating 2-3 oz. He loves to eat solids and still has an appetite. I usually give him 2 tbsp oatmeal with 1/2 jar of fruit at breakfast with 6-7 oz. of formula. He gets another 6-7 oz. bottle at noon and then I nurse him when I get home at 4 and then he gets 2tbsp cereal with 1/2 jar veggie and nursed at bedtime. All of the sudden, he eats his cereal and some of the bottle. At first, I kept trying to feed him the rest of the bottle, but he was vomiting afterwards if I forced it. I took him to the MD and they said maybe he has an upset stomach. The thing is, he is acting like himself and seems happy. Could a growing baby require less formula? I am scared that it's something to worry about. He is nursing fine and as long as I don't continue to feed him the bottle, he doesn't vomit anymore. I have not increased the solids. I feel like he is also not sleeping as well lately. Help..
More Answers
H.G. answers from New York on October 22, 2008
He sounds totally fine to me! His appetite will increase and decrease based on where he is, what he's doing, and what's about to happen. (teeth, crawling, finger foods, etc.) Hey, he's six months old now- such an exciting time! Lots of new stuff he can do! He'll keep telling you what he needs, and it seems like you're listening closely. You could tell that pushing the bottle wasn't working, and you stopped. See?
Don't stress. You're doing an awesome job, and your baby is perfect!
D.S. answers from New York on October 21, 2008
Dear D.,
When my kids would wake in the morning between six and seven I would give them a bottle and they would drink the entire thing. Then I would do breakfast around 8 or so and do another bottle about 9:30. I would give another bottle around 1 or so and then again nurse him when you get home at four. I would do cereal and veggie at 6 and then nurse him before bed. I think maybe if you spaced out the feedings it would allow him to get hungry enough to drink his bottle. I don't think he will drink a good bottle after eating solids. His little tummy may only be able to take small amounts at a time so he doesn't vomit. i hope this helps. Also if you are mixing his cereal with formula that's a few more ounces he is getting that maybe your not counting. So i wouldn't worry about him getting enough formula. Try not to feed him heavy before bed he may be getting a belly ache that's why I would do cereal at 6 and give him time to digest. Good luck!!
J.E. answers from Rochester on October 21, 2008
I had the same issue with my son throwing up. The doctor told me to feed him smaller meals but more often throughout the day. So instead of breakfast, lunch, dinner you would break it up into 5 smaller meals. It worked for me and it helped me to fit enough food and formula into the day that my son sleeps 11-12 hours a night.
S.S. answers from Glens Falls on October 21, 2008
Don't stress too much if he is otherwise happy and his diaper is wet or dirty enough during the day. That is the best measurement. Or if he is losing too much weight at his next dr appt.
My guess it that is a change of appetite or change of eating preference/pattern.
Their little appetites go up and down so much, sometimes month to month, sometimes day to day. He could have just come out of a growth spurt and doesn't need as much food now as he did. He could be hungry at a different time of day. Maybe wait to give him his first bottle, or give him the bottle first and then food an hour or 2 later in the morning. I would probably try to get more formula than food in him, but still don't stress.
My son is 2 and his eating habits and patterns have always changed every few months. A few months ago he wouldn't eat for at least an hour after getting up, before that he had to eat before drinking anything. Now he drinks 2 sippys of milk before taking a bite. It could just be a change of preference.
M.K. answers from New York on October 22, 2008
mom this is normal,
the vomiting means your over feeding him,
continue feeding him his solids,
or he will be hungry,
and 3 oz of formula or breast milk is just enough to quench his thirst, its a very balanced diet.
think about the food pyramid,
and realize he is happy, if he wanted more to drink he'd let you know it.
M
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