Help with fussy bottle feeder

[lcm]

Hi

My daughter is turning 1 in 3 weeks, weighing 8.5 kg (2.7kg at birth). She's been having 3 bottles of 200-240mls and 3 solids meals a day. She has always been difficult at the bottle from birth. It has gotten worse in the last few days, to the point that she would not take any more than 100mls at lunch time. Size of her solids has stayed the same.

Could you please advise whether babies of this age drop their lunch bottle? Also, how do I change to cow's milk once she turns one - do I change cold turkey and do I still warm up the milk?

Thanks.

[the pero clinic]

Dear Lcm,

As babies become toddlers, their food and nutritional requirements change as their rate of growth slows. They will start to transition from needing milk as small meals, to eating routines that are much more focused on food.

Ideally, toddlers should be eating every 2 - 3 hours. This may consist of 3 larger meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and small snacks in between; or some little ones will prefer to eat small meals throughout the day instead.

It is not unusual, however, for toddlers to eat less than what they ate as babies. So do not be too concerned if your daughter’s appetite seems to have dropped off. Healthy babies and toddlers are very good at monitoring their own hunger needs.

As your little girl approaches 1, work towards replacing her bottles with cups, and offering milk or formula as a drink, instead of as a separate meal. It sounds as though she may be starting to reduce her own milk intake herself. The 500mL she seems to be having at the moment is plenty - especially if she is also having some yoghurt / custard / cheese / dairy during the day.

Try to offer some small snacks between her main meals to ensure she is receiving a regular supply of energy. There are no real rules for making the transition from formula to milk – work with your daughter’s preferences. You may like to try offering formula in a cup first, before changing too many things at once.

the pero clinic