adding food to the day...4 months old

So my ped said we could start veggies...but he usually takes an 8 oz bottle of formula either 4 or 5 times per day. We also started cereal (again) - tried at 3 months but he wasn't quite ready although he was very hungry - he wasn't "anticipating" the spoon..

Ok so now he is ready, I tried both again over the weekend.

So what do I do, decrease the morning and night bottle in ounces? If I give him cereal in the AM after a bottle and sweet potatoes when I get home from work? (Around 530 / 6) - then he gets a bottle between 7 - 730. Instead of giving him an 8 oz bottle each time should I decrease to 6 oz, for example?

Re: adding food to the day...4 months old

Jen - Don't decrease the bottles.

Right now, he needs his bottles. Food is just for practice at this age. Trust me when I say, he will decrease his formula intake on his own.

When we started solids, I gave Samantha cereal in the morning and veggies at night - usually about an hour before bedtime routine started which was 45 minutes before he last bottle of the day.

It seems confusing at first, but it becomes second nature.

Re: adding food to the day...4 months old

my DS lowered his own intake when he started on the solids. he takes 6-7 oz per bottle now. (i use the 7pm bottle to make his cereal, about 1.5oz. so he actually drinks 5.5oz in that bottle.)

eta: we do cereal mixed with either fruit or veggie in the morning and at night.

Message edited 12/7/2009 9:50:58 AM.

Re: adding food to the day...4 months old

We didn't decrease any of her bottles. She used to get a bottle as soon as she woke up and then we would give her cereal about an hour or so later. Then we would give her veggies/fruits/cereal either an hour before or an hour after she was due for a bottle in the evening. If we tried both at the same time she wouldn't drink her bottle which was more important at that age.