My 6-month baby won't take the breastmilk or formula during the day?

Question

He only takes it at night (3 times). During the day, he only eats solid food. Is there any other parents who have the same problem? I am worried that he won't get enough nutrient from the solid because what he can eat is limited at this age. Thanks in advance for any inputs!

Answer 1

Food alone won't do it,...it doesn't really matter when the baby gets milk but, how much is important. At this age babies are getting busy,....usually beginning to crawl and they seem to not have enough time to stay still and nurse or drink a bottle when they have places to go. They also go through growth spurts and eat more sometimes than others. If your baby is gaining the right amount of weight then he is fine.

Answer 2

Stop offering solids. Up to a year of age, a baby's primary nutrition is breastmilk of infant formula, and solids should be offered only in small amounts for practice in learning to chew and swallow table foods. A six month old does not NEED any solids at all. I would stop giving him solids and offer breastmilk (or formula) frequently throughout the day. If that doesn't help, you should call the pediatrician.

Answer 3

He's refusing breast &/or bottle? Before or after solids? Have you tried him with a sippy cup? Does he eat cereal? You can make that with milk/formula. How much solid food is he eating?

I'm guessing you've checked out parenting websites like the below ref. I recall reading somewhere, probably a magazine when my 6yo was little, that you should feed the liquids first then offer the solids.

I guess I have more questions than answers, but not quite knowing how it's playing out, I'm not sure if I have a helpful answer or just stuff you've already tried. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Stop all solids and offer only breastmilk for a few days. If he still doesn't seem to want to eat, definitely contact the baby's doctor.

At this age (and up to a year) solids should only be given *after* a breastfeed. Solids are mainly for fun at this age, think of them as a condiment to the main course (breastmilk).

Answer 5

Yes, the same thing happened to me, and my baby is a chunky monkey, and he drinks whole milk, but not all 16 oz a day! think about your preferences, doesnt that seem like alot? it did to me, and the 32 oz of recommended formula seemed like alot too so i asked my pediatrician if he could have 24 oz and he said sure. And even then he didnt finish every bottle, but he lived so i think that you just keep trying, but only give him a small jar or bowl of cereal, and a 6 oz bottle for breakfast lunch and dinner, and try different bottles or a sippy cup ( i found the ones without stoppers worked well he got more faster) or make the nipple hole bigger on the bottle so he gets more. he does need the formula to grow his brain, but some babies just like food better.
I would let my son eat and drink in the high chair, but when he was done and wouldnt drink anymore if there was a lot left i would hold him and give it to him in the living room. Yes some would say that was spoiling him, andi agree it did look funny, but every baby is different and he loved it and usually finished his bottles.
And the anwer everyone wants to know, yes he was weaned in one day, no i never put him to bed with a bottle, no he has no strange attachment to his bottle, and yes he is perfectly well adjusted. Trust your instincts!

Answer 6

I have never heard of this. Maybe you are filling his tummy with too much solids. It is important for him to get the full amount of milk he needs still at his age. Also he should NOT have to wake up in the night to drink it at six months old. Perhaps you should not give him any solids at breakfast, lunch, and dinner till he has had 4 ounces of formula first. If he refuses to drink, just stop trying, put him down, and go about your business; keep trying every half hour till he is hungry enough to take the formula. THEN give him his cereal and fruit, or whatever.

Answer 7

You need to increase the number of feedings when you are home (I assume you are gone during the day). Really 5 is the minimum number of feedings a 6 month old needs, and 8 is better.

5 should be easy to do though. Feed immediately when you get home (or when you get to the sitters/daycare have a little pitstop). Nurse one more time during the evening. Feed him before you go to bed (babies can feed without really waking up). Once at bedtime. Once as soon as he gets up, and once just before you leave.

Babies can do just fine with no breastmilk during the day, the same as they can go all night, but they shouldn't do both.

"Encourage baby to "reverse cycle" - reverse cycling is when baby nurses frequently when mom and baby are together (usually at night) and takes little milk when mom & baby are separated. "
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Answer 8

one my baby was on solids she really but down on the daytime feeds, she now only has 3 breastfeeds, one in the morning, one in the afternoon before she sleeps (which is not much, she isn't really interested) and then one before she goes to bed at night. so if he is having 3 feeds, he would probably be getting enough even though it is overnight. maybe try and cut down on the solids you are giving him, or offer the milk first etc.

Answer 9

My daughter is 7 months old and nurses 6-7 situations in step with day. She has 2 tbsp of oatmeal for breakfast, a million/2 cup of fruit products for lunch (mango today), and inspite of we are eating for dinner (pasta, veggie etc) She is going to mattress at 9pm and sleeps till 5am, she nurses and is going decrease back to sleep till 8am.

Answer 10

solid food provides nutrients, i prefer feeding my baby what i eat anyway. but if he takes 3 a nght he's getting nutrients+sum