Table Food vs. Bottle

My b/g twins are 11.5 months. I am concerned with my ds. He still needs 4 to 5 full bottles a day. I feed him breakfast, lunch and dinner in a high chair with table food as well. He does not eat very much table food. He puts the food in his mouth and a few minutes later, spits it out. He does not act like he doesn't like the food but ends up spitting it out. After his table food, I give him a jar of baby food because he did not get much table food. He will eat and swallow the baby food. I tried to cut out one bottle a day and he ended up waking up at night for a bottle/sippy cup with milk. Am I trying too early? Should I be concerned about the lack of interest in table food? Thank you.

 

It sounds like he's getting too much formula, if he's still taking 4-5 bottles a day. He's probably full from the bottle when you try to feed him his meals. How close together are the bottles/meal times? I tried to seperate them by at least 1.5-2 hrs, I found they ate the best that way.

I would try cutting out a late morning/early afternoon bottle first, and then rearrange the rest of the day's feeding schedule so they are about 2 hrs apart, and see if that helps. If he wakes at night, offer water only. You don't want him to start getting into the habit of getting a bottle at night again. I would also offer the water in a sippy cup as well.

 

His schedule looks like this: 6:30Am bottle, breakfast 8:30, bottle 10:00, nap, lunch 12:00, 2:00 bottle, nap, 5:00 dinner, 7:00 bottle and bed. He often has 2 bottles before bedtime. He has ALWAYS ate more than his sister and more than most babies. He is not overweight at all. Today he just had 4 bottles, so I am anxious to see if he sleeps through the night. I am getting frusterated because he will keep the food in his mouth for a while and I will get my hopes up. Then, he shoves it out with his tongue. I have tried to withhold the bottles and just feed him table food. He still spits out the food, I take him out of his high chair and he fusses until he gets his bottle. Do you think he just prefers the bottle. He used to eat a little better but lately he is hardly swallowing anything. He feels fine and is a very happy boy. Tonight, he spit out his table food but then ate 1.5 jars of baby food. Any suggestions?

 

It might be a texture thing, since he eats the baby food okay, he may not like the feel/texture of table foods. Have you tried puree'ing the table food, or making sure it's really really mushed, almost like baby food is. Gradually over time, start leaving more and more chunks in it, try to get him used to taking it a little chunkier.

If he's still balking at it you might want to talk to your ped and see if they have any suggestions.

 

At about 13 mos we started eating table food well. We also didn't get teeth until 12 mos. I just want food in them and I was fine with pureeing. My girls had a food texture issue but it worked itself out. So either you are on the cusp possibly or this may continue. Personally, I am strict on some things, but with eating I have always followed their lead. There is no hard and fast rule as to when to switch from jars, however, you cannot foretell if this is a long-term or short-term thing. So I would keep an eye on it, but not be concerned if he wants to eat only jarred or pureed.

Also, Jude still does this spit out thing. She will eat great, but sometimes she will put too much in and it is just easier to spit it out and start all over. This can be with food she has eaten a lot. Or, it can also be because she is full. All the variables! :headbang:

I don't think you mentioned how many ounces a day he was getting, but I would agree it seems like he is favoring the milk. Cutting it down will most likely not affect his night sleep if you are only talking about cutting a bottle. You are coming into this age where they may eat meals but need a lot of snacks also. I feel like I feed mine every 90 mins...oh wait, that is because I do! I wouldn't be concerned...I would just start playing around with things and tweaking a little to prepare for this next phase coming when table food is going to be more frequently practiced and important. Assuming weights are good?