OK. so Patrick has been making the transition to baby food and dong great. However, I'm concerned that he may be not as hydrated due to less breastmilk during the day. I don't remember when Julia started with a baby sippy (neither of my kids will use bottles...absolute refusal on their parts...very strange kids) and some extremely diluted Gerber juices. I think it was around now because at 6 months she started daycare (as will he in Sept.) and we sent her w/baby food & juice. Does that sound right? I am drawing a total blank.

Offer him water. If he wants it he will drink it. If not, then don't worry unless he isn't wetting his diaper enough or the urine is quite concentrated and bright yellow. Pale yellow to clear, he is hydrated.

Amy...I imagine that if you give him food and juice at daycare, you will also be breastfeeding too at home or giving him some milk?...You could sent some breast milk too for daycare, if you can pump your milk. Goodluck! :) and Amy, your kids aren't strange...my boys also refused the bottle when they were under a year old...they preferred a sippy cup or *me* ...lol ;)

I had to start DD on diluted white grape juice at a young age to deal with her bowel issues.... and I think it was around 8 month when we started giving her other juices. Then again, she had bowel/stomache issues (preemie with GERD) so her schedule was probably delayed more than most.

I second the vote for water-- DD now drinks several large cups per day, which is a habit I hope she will continue.

And FYI, my pediatrician told me not to worry about buying special (and more expensive) baby juices-- said to just water down adult juice (2 parts water one part juice). We would buy the individual serving juice bottles for travel, but at home we'd give her the diluted stuff-- it much cheaper than buying the baby juice.

Yes, I'll still b'feed at home. With Julia (and I am hoping with Patrick) once she went to daycare, I continued to bf in the mornings when we woke up and when we went to sleep at night. It was a nice way for me to keep a connection with the baby, provide a little snuggle time, and keep her getting those good mommy nutrients. I'm hoping to do the same with Patrick. I think the water is a good idea. Julia drinks water like a fish (do they actually DRINK the water? Maybe not the best metaphor) and I'm hoping Patrick will develop the same habit. We actually haven't had any juice in the house since Julia was 1.

Though I got to stay home with my youngest ds (now 1yo), I started him on a sippy cup with water in it around Patrick's age because he wanted Jason's cup (ds we let turn 3 a couple of weeks ago). Ryan has refused a bottle since birth. It's either me or a sippy cup. Yep, still nursing!

Jason was both breast fed at home and had formula when with day care. I would send him in with water in a bottle and powder formula, baby food and a sippy cup with water.

I just made it a rule that since they've had the cup in their hand that when they're at the table, they can have juice or milk (when older. Ryan wants no part of cow milk which is why I'm still mooing :toothy:) but when they're walking around the house or we go out, it's water only. I don't have to worry about moldy cups and my rugs are the happier for it.

Perhaps you could send him with a sippy cup with the makings for formula and see how he does with that. It may take him a bit to adjust, but he may take to it right away. I would talk to his doctor about his water intake because too much water isn't good for him and I think they're supposed to be drinking a certain amount of oz of breast milk or formula a day for health reasons. I'm sure if you call the dr.'s office you can get a nurse to give you a call-back. If not, check with your insurance company. Some health insurance companies provide a Call-a-Nurse and she can help you as well.

HTH