What do I let my eight month old baby drink?

Rebekah - posted on 04/21/2012

It sounds, to me, like you have started supplementing your breastmilk with solids-- which has probably helped to decrease your supply even more. Are you always nursing immediately PRIOR to offering solids. I had a similar problem when I was nursing my daughter and she lost weight from 9 months to 1 year. By her 1st birthday she was both anemic and "failing to thrive," So, if I were you, at this point, I would stop the juice all together, offer the breast when she's thirsty, and be more intentional about offering formula. Her primary source of nutrition should come from breastmilk or formula, so if she's not nursing you HAVE to get her to drink formula. I know this is a breastfeeding group, but if you really are not producing enough breastmilk then she needs formula.

For what it's worth, I never gave juice to my babies until they were much closer to two years old. My oldest kids are 5 and 2.5 and they still only drink juice at parties or special occasions. So personally, I would never give my baby (under 1) juice.

Heather - posted on 04/20/2012

Try Similac Soy for babies from 9 to 24 months, or the regular Similac for babies from 9 to 24 months and see if she likes it. It has a different taste then regular formula for them. You can also try the SilkProtein, which is soy milk and juice mixed. I hope that you soon find something she likes. Please don't give her cow's milk yet, maybe try that when she hits around 11 months old at least. You can also give her yogurt a few times a day for her to get the calcium she needs! If she eats cheese that's good too. There are many foods that contain calcium and she doesn't have to drink milk. Nothing wrong with giving her watered down juice. Juicy Juice is the best for her, as it's all natural and doesn't contain ANY added sugar. That's what I give my kids.



If your doc is telling you that you can give her 4oz. of juice a day, then give her 2 oz. of juice at a time, mixed with water, and see if she will drink it. Then she can have 2 sippy cups or bottles a day with 2oz. of juice and the rest water! Try the Berry Berry Juice juice, I would buy it in the juice boxes since they sell it in way too big of a container and your supposed to use it with in 5 to 7 days after opening it. The Gerber juice for kids isn't bad either. I used to give my son the banana juice mix when he was little. You have lots of options. Ice cream, yogurt, cheese, and many foods contain calcium, do some research online!

Lori - posted on 04/19/2012

At 8 or 9 months babies become so easily distractible. They're learning so much, and usually getting around on their own. It can be very hard to keep a baby this age fed. Try nursing her in a quiet, darkened room. That will limit distractions. Also, at this age she doesn't need to feed for very long to get the milk she needs. She ought to be very efficient at draining the breast.



I'm curious though. You said that you've never made much milk, but you also said you strictly breastfed until about 3 or 4 weeks ago? How is that so? Do you mean you haven't given her other formula or milk until then? When did you start solid foods? How does she do with solid foods now?



Her main nutrition until 12 months old should be breast milk. I agree with Karen's suggestions if you do need to supplement. Stay away from juice, and don't offer whole milk yet either. Breastmilk, water, or formula.

Karen - posted on 04/19/2012

I would personally stay away from juice, its full of sugar especiallly if its bought juice and even 100% juice. 9mths old should only be drinking milk/formula and water, nothing else. Cows milk should only be given at about 12months, i did give my daughter it a week or 2 before she turned 1 tho, i figured a few weeks early couldn't hurt.



Have you tried maybe flavouring formula with fresh fruit, like a smoothie. Bananas and type of berries would work really well. She might like the taste of formula with fruit in it. I would only give juice if its freshly squeezed and very watered down.



Maybe talk to a midwife/baby health professional, as i don't think your doctor is giving you the correct advice in regards to what baby's should be drinking.

Victoria - posted on 04/22/2012

She needs to switch over to some kind of formula or supplement. At her age she needs to be getting most of her nutrition from her liquid diet. You can also make sure she is getting extra calories from the foods that she eats by giving her avacado or trying to work avacado into the foods that she is eating. It doesn't have much flavor and is smooth enough to mix in with most baby foods.

Kkrjrpleggett - posted on 04/22/2012

Not too much juice! It's loaded with sugars and is NOT giving her the protein and calcium she needs! At MOST my dr told me 4oz of half juice half water a day! If you pump, start mixing it wit formula. Try switching brands if you must until you find one she likes. Try a sippy cup instead of a bottle. sometimes that little change is exciting and will encourage her to drink. I also mix thick jarred meats with formula/breastmilk to thin it (my son hates things that are too thick, he gags on them). Use the milk in oatmeal cereal etc. I also give my son baby yogurt, he loves it. Be persistent! Your child Has to eat and there are tips out there for helping with this sort of thing. Kellysmom is a great website.

Lori - posted on 04/21/2012

Stephanie - it's fine for her to eat things with milk in it, just not OK for her to have a cup of milk. I think it was right around 9 months old I started introducing yogurt and cottage cheese.

User - posted on 04/21/2012

Karen, that is a great idea! I did not think to try that! She loves her fruit! I will try that today. :D

I water the juice down a lot (about 25% juice 75% water), but I also keep reading that you shouldn't give infants a lot of water until they are over a year. I'm just so new at this, I get nervous over stuff like this. LOL And I only buy 100% juice with no added sugar, It's usually the Mott's, or the baby juice. I have not given her any cow's milk yet. She has had it in stuff like mashed potatoes though, is that ok?

And as far as the pediatrician, he is lousy, I am seeing a new one in a few days. I have the same questions lined up for him, too, so I will see what he says. Yes, the pediatrician we were seeing, when I showed him these brown spots on her head after she was born told me "Don't worry that will clear up", well it didn't and it got worse, and every time I saw him he would say the same thing, although I would ask the question numerous times, he told me to put baby oil on it. It did nothing, I saw another doctor (who is retiring :( ) and he diagnosed it as seborrhea, which a little Tgel once a week cleared it right up. Every one loves the pediatrician I have now, except me. LOL :/

User - posted on 04/21/2012

Lori, I had to take a lot of Fenugreek, and drink nothing but water to keep up with what she needed, I never made more to pump. When I said strictly BF, I meant I didn't give her formula. She started eating fruits, vegetables, and cereal at about 4 months.

Dove - posted on 04/20/2012

At 8 months she really shouldn't be drinking anything except breast milk or formula and water. If you DO give juice it should be watered down at LEAST 25/75 (25% of juice) and not more than once a day and not even every day.



If she is thirsty all day, can you try offering the breast whenever she is thirsty. I do like the idea of blending a touch of fresh fruit into the formula. Sweeten it up a bit, but with REAL, whole fruit.



Good luck!