Hi

DS is 16 months and his solid intake is still quite low in comparison to his sister at the same age. He will go in spells of nope, don't want any food to phases of trying anything he spots. He has a few favourites that will usually entice him but generally his solid foods are low. DD on the other hand was obviously consuming good amounts of food at this age. By 9 months you could see how well she ate. So they are all so different, it really is hard to say! But at 7 months, you are right, it is just fun and experimenting.

DS would also be on 7+ feeds a day still. If you can only settle him with a breastfeed through the night then that is what you do, as long as you are happy to do so. It makes everything so much less stressful and everyone is happy. If he wants and you are willing then I say go ahead he will grow out of waking through the night when he is developmentally ready and at 7 months that is (generally) quite a while off yet.

DS hasn't dropped feeds at 16 months, well he has but only down to 7-9 a day. DD at the same age was having maybe 4. You could always express for when you are away if you would like him to still have BM or if he doesn't feed through the day while in care he may compensate through the evening and night. Have a think about how you guys want to make the transition so that you can ask questions and trial things before you are back at work. Less stress for him as well as you

Well done on 7 months. A great achievement so far!