When to 'drop' day feeds?

I just read in another post Barb mentioning that 'in a few months [the baby] won't need feeds during the day' (Not a direct quote)

Just wondering.... is there a 'too soon' to drop day feeds? DS (11 months) loves his boobie milk, and at the moment he has it when he wakes up, 'sometime convenient' during the day, just before bed, and *shock* I still give him a dreamfeed (I love the cuddles- selfish mummy!). That's a normal day, sometimes he has more, I figure if he's that determined to rip my top off and help himself, he's making his wishes clear, and who am I to refuse?? :P

Is there a time I should be 'dropping' the during the day feed? Apart from when I go back to work which will be January 2012 at the soonest.

He eats like a demon, and drinks up to 250ml of water each day (i think it's mostly for fun, rather than insatiable thirst). I know he'd be alright without the day feed, but I don't know the rules, how much milk is he meant to be getting?

Feeding can be very confusing, cant it?!?! I think as long as both you and DS are happy then what ever works is great, imo there are no 'shoulds' when it comes to feeding your child, except to ensure he is fed. DD was on 4 feeds at 12 months but she was never what you would call a booby baby (preferred sleep despite every possible attempt to wake her!) She is now 21 months and we are down to 1 feed and even thats becoming a bit of a battle. After all this is said I am assuming BFing? If so, he is a milk machine by now and he knows exactly what he wants and doesnt. Dont forget you are doing great! :hug:

THere are no rules.
Just do whatever suits you both :) My DS was still having 10+ feeds day and night at that age

Thanks Ladies, I guess I just wanted to make sure he's getting enough milk and we haven't switched the focus to food too early- because BOY!!! He certainly eats enough of it!

He's just recently dropped a couple of milk (yup BFing) feeds himself, I used to offer morning and afternoon 'tea' after his naps but he was pushing me away, and seems to prefer something to eat instead.
I hope he doesn't drop them all too soon!

You're right Lily Dust, it is confusing, and no matter how many times I think we're doing a great job, there's always a little voice making me wonder if I'm doing this right!
Thanks MadB x

We are still doing 3-4 feeds through the day here, at 13months. DS eats like a teenager, drinks at least 250ml water throughout the day without prompting, and still wants his booby milk.

He'll let you know what he wants, and no one can tell you to change the way it's done!

My DS is a funny one, he's just turned 1, he has anywhere from 2-8 feeds a day!!!

I'm back at work 3 days a week and on those days he has a first thing and a last thing feed and that's it.

But then he will still have at least one overnight, sometimes two. Then if I'm at home the next day, he will often decide he wants another one or two!

Funny thing. I just go with it - as you yourself said, if he's pulling on my top and making his booby noises ("eh eh eh ehhhh Mammaaaaaa!" :lol: ) then I figure he knows what he wants!

Hi,

As in all things, there are quite a few different ways of doing things and they all work out OK. All I was saying is that if you were going back to work you wouldn't *need* to give anything other than breastmilk or food - formula isn't a normal or required part of infant feeding! However, if you and baby are together it's fine to just feed on demand - and baby may take as much or little as they like.

:) Thanks Barb, you always have such wonderful advice xxx