I was under the impression that even after introducing solids at 6 months, milk (breast or formula) was still supposed to be a baby's main source of nutrition until they were 1 anyway. Of course there wouldn't be too much nutrition in cows milk, so you would need him to be eating a variety of foods (which can be a difficult task for a 10 month old). The amount of food you specified actually sounded reasonable for his age, also if he is having yoghurt as a meal and milk on his cereal and in his banana then he is having a heap of milk aside from the bottles you are giving him.
but can I ask why you are concerned about him gaining large amounts of weight in the first place? Did you consider that if both your children had the same dip in weight gain at the same age, that maybe it was a natural amount to be gaining, and that you might not need to stress about trying make him gain extra?
There is no where near as much nutrition in cows milk as there is in breast milk or formula, especially iron. Unless your baby is gaining sufficient iron levels from elsewhere, then I'd be a bit cautious about moving to cows milk fulltime. Sorry, I know you said you'd researched but just thought I should say that.
As for appetite, I'd say that's normal. Their appetite goes up and down depending on how much milk they have, if they're having a growth spurt or if they're teething. We've just had all sorts of issues with DD as she was ill around her first birthday and teething so her milk intake (both formula and her transition to cows milk) were not the best. She's back on track again now though.
One thing to remember, when babies move onto cows milk, they're supposed to be getting a lot from solids as well - especially protein and calcium - so it's not unusual for babies to take less milk providing their solids diet contains the extra (so yoghurt, cheese, vegies, fish and meat). The milk intake guide at 1 year is 600mls a day (so three bottles) so I would assume at 10 months, it should be about 800mls. But once again, I personally don't think cows milk is an ideal choice just yet and that may have something to do with his appetite levels. Just at thought!
PS: it might not seem like much between 10 months and 12 months but 2 months is a long time when you're only 1 year old! My DD at very different things at 10 months to what she could eat at 1, teeth and age had a lot to do with her diet. That is another reason why they don't recommend switching to cows milk until they're 1.
Last edited by Taurean; October 10th, 2010 at 10:58 PM.
The dip in weight gain that concerned me was that he moved down 2 percentile lines on the graph they give you for weight gain. His height is more or less on track, but the weight almost didn't move, and that is what got me concerned. I had loads of weight gain issues with the DS1 (or at least all the health nurses gave me such a complex about it. Im much more relaxed this time around, but I always keep an eye on it when I can. Plus this baby is not very active - ie he is not rolling or crawling - currently just happy to sit as a little budda.) I was always never confident that my milk 'was enough' although DS2 was quite happy for about 6 months.
Turns out that DS2 has broken another tooth and his food intake is improving, but I have scaled back each bottle to 160ml or skipping the odd afternoon one here and there. Probably all coincidence, but it is just getting the balance right.
He's also quite keen on feeding himself at the moment, ie, if you put all sorts of food on his tray table he'll happily grab and eat it even after he has refused his puree. So for the moment I 'top up' on whatever else is floating around meal times, which, in turn, is a handy way to introduce lumpy foods and 'our food' for the future.
Im still open to comments and suggestions. Thanks
The dip in weight gain that concerned me was that he moved down 2 percentile lines on the graph they give you for weight gain. His height is more or less on track, but the weight almost didn't move, and that is what got me concerned. I had loads of weight gain issues with the DS1 (or at least all the health nurses gave me such a complex about it. Im much more relaxed this time around, but I always keep an eye on it when I can. Plus this baby is not very active - ie he is not rolling or crawling - currently just happy to sit as a little budda.) I was always never confident that my milk 'was enough' although DS2 was quite happy for about 6 months.
Turns out that DS2 has broken another tooth and his food intake is improving, but I have scaled back each bottle to 160ml or skipping the odd afternoon one here and there. Probably all coincidence, but it is just getting the balance right.
He's also quite keen on feeding himself at the moment, ie, if you put all sorts of food on his tray table he'll happily grab and eat it even after he has refused his puree. So for the moment I 'top up' on whatever else is floating around meal times, which, in turn, is a handy way to introduce lumpy foods and 'our food' for the future.
Im still open to comments and suggestions. Thanks
I think breastfed babies tend to be lighter than formula-fed ones between 6-12 months, on average, so you'd expect breastfed babies to drop down the standard health charts in Aus. The WHO releases charts for breastfed babies only, which might be of interest.
Finger food is a great way to go if that's what he wants. And yeah, teeth would definitely explain a decrease in interest in solids.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks