Typical Timeline for Eating Solids and Weening from Breastfeeding

My son did the same thing at about 8 months. Once he started eating table foods, he just didn't want the bottle anymore. Here are some things I did to make sure he was still getting the nutrients of breastmilk or formula.

1. Try giving him his breastmilk or formula in a sippy cup.

2. Mix formula or breastmilk into things like yogurt, mac and cheese, oatmeal, cream of wheat, applesauce...anything that you think you can mix it with. If you're using formula, you can just mix the powder right in to most things. If you're using pumped breastmilk, replace water or milk with it. Or use less water or milk than is called for and thin it out with breastmilk.

Like I said, my son did the exact same thing. He just nearly refused to take a bottle. I kept offering it a couple of times a day and sometimes he'd take it. But in reality he just wanted to eat what we were eating. He wouldn't really even take baby food that well. So I started giving him soft things like pasta (whole wheat) and peaches or pears. His favroite veggies were green peas, soft green beans and he absolutely loved chunks of sweet potatoes...I would sometimes mix them with butter and sugar and cinnamon! He loved macaroni and cheese (even with formula mixed in). Yogurt was a favorite too ( I bought the Yo-baby brand that has fruit and baby cereal in it). He self-weaned at 10 months old. I of course freaked out, but his doctor said to just be sure that he was getting a well balanced diet and to go ahead and start with whole milk. He's 18 months old now and is the best eater. Good luck! Just be careful to introduce things one at a time and make it good, nutritious stuff and I'm sure he'll be fine.

M.

Hi A., I have a 10 month old baby boy and he is almost the same way. Except he still breastfeeds only when he is tired and now that he is teething he hardly eats solids. I have asked my pediatrician about that and he states that when he is teething they tend to want the breastmilk more than solids. Plus it is also good to continue breasfeeding through the winter months to keep your baby healthy from the cold/flu season. I continue to give him solids throughout the day and also continue to breastfeed before he naps, bedtime, and now during his teething period. I hope that I have helped in some way, but if not I hope that you find the information that you are looking for. Good luck!!

My daughter needed more than breast milk, so I started her on solids at 5 months (some bought & some home-made) & she is not a picky eater. I also added a little formula to her cereal, and I added rice cereal to almost everything (to make it thicker & add more nutrients). My son is almost 9 months old now & I haven't the time to concentrate on feeding him 3 times a day, so he hasn't gotten the same attention in that dept. as my daughter & is slower at wanting to eat solids. I know a little girl that started eating meat & such (not baby food) at 9 months old & is happy, healthy. I think every child is different. And I think eating solids at this point is more for texture & taste (and doing what Mommy is doing) than for actual consumption & nutrients. If your son is showing interest, by all means give in to it & keep trying to get him to breast-feed. He may just need the variety. Good Luck

Most doctors give the OK to start your child on solids between 4 and 6 months old. By seven months your child can be eating a good amount of solids and breastfeeding 1-2 times, 1-2 bottles of formula or jars of baby food. I have 4 children and after the first, decided that the child knows when they are ready to eat. If they really show interest while you're eating...watching you intently, moving their mouth to mimick you, etc...reach for your food; they are ready to try. It sounds as if your little one is ready to try! Good Luck