My 11 month old has self-weaned from nursing. I'm okay with this, I kept it up as long as I could. I've transitioned to a toddler formula (for ages 9-24 months).
Here's our routine: She would nurse after we wake in the morning. She eats her cereal 45 minutes before her afternoon nap, normally around 10:30 or so. She gets a sippy cup with watery juice and a snack (biter biscuits, freeze dried apple bits, or little puffs) after she gets up from her 2-3 hour nap. Dinner is normally at 5; a jar of stage 3 baby food (which is 6 oz), maybe with a small snack afterward. About 8 she would nurse again, normally to fall asleep shortly afterward.
I had decided to switch to formula because I was concerned about how little of my milk she was getting anymore (that, and the constant biting!). She went from nursing for at least 30 minutes to nursing for a total of 8, if I was lucky. After deliberating about it for 3 weeks, I finally switched her to formula, and now she's only taking 4 oz* in the morning and again in the evening. Am I doing enough for my daughter or should I be doing more?
*Please note: She doesn't seem to have any problems with the formula, she drinks it happily enough. She just wants to stop after 4 oz.
**Edit: I believe she is getting enough to eat. I know it may not seem like much, but she's right on schedule, if not a bit ahead of the growth curve. At 10 months, she weighed 21 lbs 2 oz and measured 29 1/2 inches tall. I don't know if that helps at all, but I wanted to put it out there that she's not underweight or anything like that.
I would cut out the juice and do water, she doesnt need the added sugar. I would also give her more veggies and fruits. If she has teeth how about trying her on cut up table food?
My daughter is 10 months and does seem to being eating alot more food, but every baby is just so, so different. She doesn't really seem to care much about nursing anymore either, but still she does about 4 times a day for 5-10 minutes usually. My pediatricain told us that he likes to see them eating 3 good meals a day at this age so that is what we've done. Here's an idea of her normal meals not including nursing....
breakfast....banana and toast
lunch....small amount of chicken breast, peas and carrots, yogurt
dinner....usually something similiar to what we are eating like spaghetti and another fruit or veggie
I just cut everything up into small, small pieces and let her go to town! If you're worried just ask your dr. at her 1 year appointment, but if she seems to be happy and growing just keep doing what you are doing! Good luck :)
Here is a sample menu from the American Academy of Pediatrics for a child her age (and another one for a one year-old) that may be a helpful guide for you.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/f...;
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/f...
In reading your post, it sounds like she may need a little more formula or food. If it were my child, I'd be concerned they weren't getting enough. The juice is debatable at this age, we didn't do it, but at 11 months, it's probably on the edge of being acceptable.
I had large babies and the doctors weren't concerned how much they were eating, but how much they were gaining. As long as you are offering an assortment of food, and your baby is gaining weight. They will eat when they are hungry. I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Children go through stages of eating a whole lot, to not eating much at all. She will not go hungry, and will let you know when she is hungry. If you are concerned offer more food. At about a year children don't need formula at all. They begin to get the majority of their nutrition from food. Good luck.
Baby girl, you're doing fine and so is she :) Just keep an eye on her and if she seems to still be hungry after, or between the scheduled meals, give her an extra snack. Remember how your little sister would be absolutely bottomless when she was getting ready for a growth spurt, but wasn't interested in eating much in between? At her age, she'll let you know if she's not getting enough. I would continue to give her the sippy cup a bit more tho, get a little more fluids into her, especially with as hot as it's been, if she doesn't want it, she wont drink it :) There's always pediasure too, if you're really worried about her getting enough, you could add in a half a can or so of that a day, but as I said, let her lead in whether you give her anything extra.
And to those who had issues with the juice, she drinks only the motts for tots apple juice that has no added sugar.
It sounds like she is getting enough. My 11 month old is weaning herself off the bottle/formula right now. She never took that much to begin with and has been down to 2 bottles since she turned 10 months, but now she only takes a bottle before bed. In the morning she gets waffles and a fruit, then when she gets up from her nap a small snack...lunch is turkey or chicken, a fruit and veggie and then a snack after her afternoon nap and then dinner is whatever we are eating. She pretty much refuses to eat baby food now. She is also doing great on weight and is a very happy baby. Trust your instincts. Most kids will wean themselves off the formula at around a year. Good luck
How are her diapers? This is a great way to know. If she is wetting and having BMs enough daily, then she is eating enough. If her diapers are dry and she isn't having very many BMs, then I would be concerned. Cut out the juice. No child needs juice. It is bad for their teeth and bad for their health. It is just sugar water. Give her real water only (other than the formula). If she balks at first, she will get used to it. You might have to gradually cut it by having less juice and more water in her bottle, and cutting it more and more.Parenting is difficult sometimes, isn't it?? They keep us guessing all the time. Blessings!
My first was formula fed and Pedi wanted her to wean down to 12 oz. a day by one year. We'd been at about 24 oz. per day in the months before. I'd encouraged her to have one more 4 oz. cup of formula each day and then not worry about it. :)
Best wishes!
No worries! When breastfeeding you don't know the actual ounces baby is getting. If she is satisfied, happy, growing etc it all sounds great!
I worry about the same thing w/ my own 11 month old ~ he is by far the smallest (skinniest) of my boys at this age, probably around 20 lbs. But he's definitely busier than they ever were, as he is the third.
He's weaning himself (and I'm helping him too) from breastfeeding and I have no idea if I'm giving him enough nutrition. I have actually skipped the formula and started on 2% milk (and will change to whole milk soon, as he's tolerating it well) in his morning cereal. I also try to give him things with a bit more fat in them (avocado, cheeses, Yo Baby Yogurts and yes, chicken nuggets & fries occasionally! LOL).
Regardless, he is happy and healthy, so something is going right :)
You're doing great, Mama!
