Average amount of formula?

Question

I am concerned that my 7month old does not drink enough formula. My docotor says the lowest amount should be around 24oz per day. My son only drinks 15-20. He has a bottle around 6-7am, 5-6oz, then he may or may not drink a 3oz bottle midmorning, then around 2-3pm he will have another 5-6oz, and before bed he will drink about 7-8oz, and this is around 7:45pm. He usually will not drink that midmorning one. For food, he has fruit for lunch, (stage 2 4oz) and for dinner a stage 2 jar meal, and fruit if he desires. I used to try really hard to make him drink, but it just frustrated him and me, so I let him drink what he wants, or what he is showing he needs. He weighs 22 1/2 lbs, (BIG BOY) and is 29inches long. He is going into 18 mos clothes, he is in 95th percentile for everything, BUT my doctor says he should be drinking more. Any suggestions? I feel I shoudl leave as is, I mean he is gaining weight obviously, but I feel bad since I'm getting slack from his Ped. Thanks for anyones input

Answer 1

You could find out the 'average' amount, but it wouldn't necessarily be right for your child. After all, the 'average' shoe size for an adult woman in the UK may be about 6, but that is of no interest to anyone who wears a 5 or a 7. Averages are usually only of statistical interest. Besides, before formula was invented, and in many places now, children are breastfed. There is no way of measuring the amount they take. The way to know if it is enough is if the child is growing, is a good weight and is healthy and lively. Make sure his mixed feeding is well balanced (it sounds good) and trust your own instinct. That is to say, by all means listen to the medics, but remember, you know YOUR child best.

Answer 2

I don't feel this is an issue. he is correct weight, therefore is healthy and is on solids. The milk he does need, but I think that sounds like a sufficient amount along with the solids his eating

Answer 3

I agree with the above poster, your doctor seems really pushy. Kids are different and not everyone can follow the same guidelines. His weight and food intake are fine. As you begin to increase jar and table foods, his want for formula is going to get smaller. If you absolutely feel he must drink more formula, then take away a jar food meal and give him formula instead. But I personally feel taking a step towards table food at his age is best.

--Edit: I just thought that maybe you could try giving it to him in a new,exciting cup (if you haven't started cups yet), it might be "fun" enough for him to get some more formula during the day.

Answer 4

I think every baby is different, however, you do want to make sure that you do not substitute other liquids or food for the essentials found in formula.

My daughter is 14 months old, never breast fed, and still consumes on average 30 ounces or more a day. The issue "was" that she would not entertain milk at all. After much persistence and "try, try agains", she is finally taking a mixture of the two. Soon, I hope to be able to use milk alone, but I still struggle with that decision, as even with the Next Step foumula, there are so many key vitamins and essential nutrients for her.

Sounds like your little guy is healthy, just do your best, keep trying, don't give up, and if it still does not work, research other food choices with the same nutrients and try them as well.

Answer 5

Sounds like your Ped is too pushy.  Not every child in the world drinks and eats the same amount of anything.  These are guidelines for a healthy child.  They are not hard and fast rules.  Your boy sounds just fine.  Why over feed him and make him overweight?  He knows when his belly is full.  I'd tell Doc to back off.

Answer 6

When my little brother was drinking formula, the doctor said he wasn't getting enough, so we gave him bottles more often.he did drink more on some days, and less on the others, and he was gaining weight with or without the extra formula. the formula just has some vitamins and minerals that they might need if you are not breast feeding or already stopped. but me  and my mom just think the doctor wants more formula because of the vitamins and minerals that come from breast milk. i hope this helps.