My son has been weaned onto solids for a few months now, he is eating well but find it hard to get him to have all the milk feeds he needs too! Any hints?.

A Why not try to offer the formula feeds first, before any solid food? If he is having his formula with or after solid foods he may already be full, so try to introduce the solid foods a couple of hours or so after his milk. Often you find that it is easiest to give the largest milk feeds both morning and evening, as this is when your son is more likely to have a bottle for comfort so may take more. If he then takes a good majority of his milk you could then try and introduce the left over formula onto his cereal and offer him this perhaps and hour or so after his initial milk feed. If the left over formula is not used up the trick is to then add the formula to his solids throughout the day this way you can be assured that he is getting his milk and all the nutrients in it that he needs. Slipping his excess formula into foods is easier than you think, try it with fruit purees, custards, and mashed vegetables, these all take some formula. The trick is to try and not be anxious about it keep offering him his bottle with formula in before his solids, if he refuses remain calm and leave the bottle with him for as long as you can. If he takes no formula remove it calmly and just add it to his solids an hour or so later.

health visitor

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