BREAST FEEDING - how much do they drink??

[loobins]

This is probably like asking 'how long is a piece of string?', but here goes!! Does anyone have a rough idea of how much babies drink in one sitting?
My DS is 7 months old and well and truly into his solids, but I don't know if I'm getting the balance between milk and food right. I hear he still needs 500ml of milk and I don't know if he's getting enough. He's on 4 milk feeds a day, but I sometimes struggle to fit one of them in while still making sure he's hungry for his solids. I didn't have any worries but he started sleeping through this week (hooray!) and now he's lost out on two milk feeds and I don't know if he's getting enough.
PS. He's been on solids since about 5 months, and he usually only takes one side at a time, though I've never had any problems with supply. He's a big boy - on 75th centile. x

[coleyboy]

DS is 8 months old and 24 lbs, and was also weaned at 5 months.

I also bf, and I found he dropped the mid morning (and sometimes even the mid-afternoon) feed himself at about 7 months.

Like you I was worried about his intake, so I make sure he always has some sort of dairy at every meal (cow milk with his breakfast, yoghurt with his lunch, and rice pudding with his tea etc etc.) I know it's not the same as breastmilk, but I guess it's the next best thing.

He seems happy with this, and as his dropped the feeds himself, I feel happy about it too. So what I guess I'm trying to say is, if he's happy and contented, then you don't need to worry. I am sure you ds would let you know if he wanted a feed!!

[NorksBrideAtEastertide]

He'll take as much as he needs and he if wants more, he'll let you know! Four feeds a day sounds perfect.

You may find he drops one or more of these, or at least becomes half-hearted about them, when he's eating 'proper' dinners.

[highonlife]

My DS is 7 months, on 3 solid feeds a day, and four milk feeds a day. Was going through the night, but fo rthe past two weeks has been taking 2 milk feeds through the night. Any ideas how to get him going through agian?

[FrannyandZooey]

Milk should form the main part of his nutrition until he is at least one. Always offer milk first before other foods - then he will naturally regulate his own intake of solid food and the balance will be just fine.

This link is really helpful about how to keep the balance between breastmilk and other foods

[highonlife]

Great websie at first glance - thanks

[loobins]

Thanks everyone. I feel a lot happier now. And thanks for the link FrannyandZooey. The link is really helpful.
Mumsnet triumphs again! What would I do without you guys??! x

[FrannyandZooey]

Oh I am really pleased it helped you. Kellymom is a great website and always very reassuring I think - stick it on your favourites