8 month old questions.

[AMB1216]

So I've got a few questions and rather than post separate threads I thought I'd just ask them all in one.

My first question is how many oz/how many bottles should an 8 month old have?

My husband and I get WIC but I only gave my son one jar of food a day and the rest of the time he got a bottle, he's getting more jar food than formula with WIC now so we're running out of formula super fast. Like he goes through a can in 2 days.

For the past few days I've been giving him 3 meals Breakfast,(oatmeal, Yogurt, applesauce), Lunch (usually noodles or some fruit or veggies) and dinner (a jar food)

He has been eating less bottles yesterday he had 5 from 9:30am-8:00pm which totaled to about 32oz. He also gets 2 bottles during the night. I was giving him 6oz but I decided to cut it back to 4 oz. to try to start weaning him off of the morning bottles (he usually wants one at 5:30 and another at 8 or 9)

He's gaining about a lb a month so I know he's healthy but I'm kind of stuck on the fact that his main source of food still needs to be formula/breastmilk. But I read yesterday that the closer they get to a year the more they get nutrients from the food they eat. So now I'm a little confused about how much he needs to be getting as far as formula.

My second question is even though my son has started to crawl, He does a wierd inch worm thing. He doesn't seem to know how to really use his legs and mainly moves his hips when trying to get around and when he does bend his knees to go somewhere they are always together, Like he pulls both knees under him then like pushes off and slides on his tummy, He's trying to pull up but he won't get on his knees and reach up. He also hasn't learned to get into a sitting position by himself, he can sit up by himself. He was Technically premature being born at 36 weeks 6 days but I honestly think I was further along than the doctors did as I never got a growth scan. My first Ultrasound was at 20 weeks and I always measured 2 weeks ahead. Which would have made him almost 39weeks. It makes sense that I was further as he was 7lbs7oz and hasn't been delayed with learning which I know can happen if babies are premature.

I tried to help him walk assisted but he didn't really get it. I even moved one of his feet in front of the other showing him how to bend his knee and he kind of just slides the other one.
Should I be concerned about this or is this a "he'll get it when he's ready" thing.

My next question is when do babies learn to lift up a cup or bottle while seated? I'm trying to teach him how to drink while sitting up but he doesn't lift his arms high enough. He can hold a cup/bottle but he won't really lift it up. Is he still not old enough to really get it??

My final question is he still is spitting up a good bit, I thought they were supposed to be over spitting up but he hasn't stopped. It's gotten better but he still spits up after eating. The amount varies like if he's exerting alot of energy by pushing himself around or bouncing around it's more. but he can just be sitting or laying somewhere and spit up a little bit. Anything I can do to help this? I asked his pediatrican about it at his 6 month appt.but she didn't say anything.


Thank you for reading this all and any advice or answers you have!!

 

[CaptainMummy]

My youngest is 8 months and she has 3 bottles (sometimes 4) per day. One in the morning, one before her afternoon nap and one at bedtime. Each bottle is 5/6oz. I have no idea what they 'should' have but I know many babies who drink alot more than m one, and some who dont! As long as he is gaining, and showing an interest infood when he does get it, Im sure it is fine!

Re. Crawling. Totally normal and it is great that he is getting about! Definirely dont worry about that 😀

Walking while assisted, all of mine have been able to do since 5/6 months, but alot of people were astounded when they saw my 5 month dd3 walking about with me holding her hnds. I think 8 months is still quite early, certainly nothing to worry about!

My youngest has been able to drink from a sippy cup for about a month now. Just keep offering him his cup and help him to tip it and he will eventually get it himself! (my dd wont hold her bottle herself!)

 

[Amalee]

My son didn't really eat much at all until about 8 months. I think the first 6 or 8 weeks the we had introduced solids he pretty much just played it it. I wouldn't worry about the amount he is eating, breast milk or formula should still be the main source of calories until your baby is a year old. If he is growing and he is content, he is getting enough.

Regarding your next two questions, I think what your baby is doing sounds completely within the normal range. He'll walk when he's ready, and he'll use a cup once he figures it out!

I think you hit the nail on the head with the spitting up too... I noticed a month of so of increased spit up sometime over the last few months that seemed to come out of no where, and I think it must have been him bouncing around too much after eating.

Your baby sounds like he's right where he should be!

 

[AMB1216]

Thank you both
Hes my first and I just get paranoid haha

 

[Pink Sarah]

My 8 month old does the 'worm dance' too! Sounds exactly the same
My lo is not a big milk drinker he has four a day but one I normally have to spend ages encouraging him to drink. He a very strange baby would prefer a cup of water!!

 

[AMB1216]

haha my son hates water, I think I spoiled him with the half juice half water thing when he was constipated and now he cries when I try to give him plain water. He is getting a little better about it but he'll only take a few sips before tossing it.

 

[VickyLou]

My daughter is almost 8 months old. She has 4 6oz bottles a day and then she will wake about midnight for a top up of 4oz. I can't get her to drop this no matter what I try. So altogether she has 28oz a day. Which on the tin it says she should only be having 24oz a day.
My daughter is only having 2 meals a day. Which consists of half pouch of veg and half pouch of fruit for lunch and dinner. She's not on breakfast yet. That's cause we have to do it slowly cause she has allergies.

My little girl doesn't move at all, she hates tummy time so I'm not expecting her to crawl. She can sit herself up if I give her my finger, she does all the work but won't do it unless she's holding my finger. She will lean forward to grab a toy but won't shuffle her bum to get closer to it. She has been walking assisted since she was 5-6 months old now and has recently started pulling herself up on a heavy box we have in the room for her.
My daughter will also hold her own bottle if she's slightly lay down but hasn't grapsed how to hold it while sat up right. She hates a sippy cup and water so won't entertain either.

As for the spit up its probably because he's on the move, bouncing around to fast before his food has gone down. If it bothers you maybe try getting him to sit still for 20 minutes after his bottle? Although my daughter does it cause she has reflux. Could this be s possibility?

All babies are different, some are faster in some ways and others are faster in other ways. I wouldnt worry. He's sounds like he's on track. Although I torally understand your worry, I was the same a couple of weeks ago but I've realised she will do things at her own pace, when she is ready.