Expert: Mary Pat, R.N. - 7/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: 1-my 8 month old for the 2nd time has stopped taking the bottle (expressed milk). he had started in between but now he tastes the milk and refuses the bottle. i had tried formula earlier and he hated it/ could it be that he thinks bottle = formula?
2- he only drinks around 3 oz. there's not way to measure but he has milk about 5-9 mins on average. he's about 17 lbs and above av height. i've heard he should be having 6-8 ounces per feeding

3-i give him bottled food 3 times a day. his fav's he eats up the whole bottle has less of things he does not like.

i'm so sorry its a long question but i think i've asked ev thing on my mnid.hope u can take time out for me. thanks

ANSWER: Your 8 month old needs about 24 ounces of milk a day either by bottle or breast.  If he won't drink expressed milk then breast feed him.  He may not be as hungry for milk now that he is eating 3 meals a day.  If you nurse him at least 4 times a day for 10 minutes each breast and he is steadily gaining weight then he is getting enough milk and food.

Mary Pat

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for your reply.
to follow up - he only likes to be breastfed but about 5-9 mins on one breast. he doesnt go for the 2nd breast as he usually falls asleep or is full!
there's no way to measure how much he's having so i'm concerned that i'm keeping him hungry. he is fed every 2 hours and since he wakes up a few times at night i feel he is hungry during the day...
thank you

Answer
Sabz:

It is normal for a breast fed baby to want to nurse every 2 to 3 hours but to want to feed during the night is not usual for most babies.  He is getting enough to eat or he would not be gaining weight.  Perhaps you could try giving him an increased amount of foods.

Mary Pat