questions about transitioning from formula to milk

(i've already left a message for the ped, but i wanted some BTDT mommmy feedback).

right now DS is on 3 bottles a day (about 18 oz. total)

i don't think he is ready to get rid of his bottles, and that is fine. however i would like him to use his sippy more. he loves water in it, but doesn't seem to understand yet that he has to lift it up more to get the water out (i know, it'll take practice).

my question is this: how do i keep track of how much he drinks if he gets milk in both the bottle and the sippy? should he get the same # of oz. still, or more/less milk than formula?

also, would it be better to just "force" the sippy on him and cut out bottles altogether? i'll be mixing formula with milk to transition him, i don't want to go cold turkey.

TIA! sorry if this was confusing.

Re: questions about transitioning from formula to milk

At 1 yr, I kinda just stopped measuring what he was getting every day.

DS still gets his morning bottle (8-9 ozs) because he really, really needs and loves his morning bottle.

And then throughout the day I just fill a sippy with what I assume to be about 10 ozs of milk and let him drink it throughout the day (put it back in the fridge if he is not interested).

It's really hit or miss with me on the sippy cup, though. Some days he drinks a only few ounces. Some days he drinks the whole thing. I don't really worry too much about it because he usually also has a yogurt drink, a string cheese, american cheese or some other form of calcium during the day.

i figure all in all he is getting enough calcium.

Re: questions about transitioning from formula to milk

We just went cold turkey with both the bottle and milk itself. But in your situation, I'd probably transition to milk, then start using the sippies cold turkey.

As for the amount of ozs, it isn't quite as important as with formula since it isn't their main source of nutrition anymore. You can really just wing it. I *think* my DS gets about 16oz a day, but it is probably a little more or a little less.

Re: questions about transitioning from formula to milk

thanks ladies. i appreciate the help.

oh and shame on me! i did a search afterwards and mikeswife06 just posted a very similar thread on friday

i am sick, though, so i'll blame it on that

Re: questions about transitioning from formula to milk

I don't think you need to take away his bottles just yet - he's still so young.

As for transitioning to milk - let's say Jack had an 8oz bottle of formula - I started with 7ozs of formula - 1oz of milk, and started to decrease the formula and add to the milk as time went on. I also had a ton of formula to burn through so it def. took me longer than it would have.

As for transitioning the milk to a sippy cup - Jack was ADDICTED to his bottles, and I never thought he would drink the milk from the sippy. I started with just one bottle - changed that over to a sippy. He resisted me for a few days but eventually took it. Once he got that one down - I did the nighttime bottle. Once that was done I did the morning bottle. I thought it would take much longer than it did. Overall he was off bottles at 15 months.

Re: questions about transitioning from formula to milk

thanks diana - when luca drinks his bottles, that is just about the only quiet time i have with him so even if he is i don't think i'm ready to give them up just yet

i am just waiting to hear back from the ped - i am SO looking forward to not buying any more formula!