ok my sons are now 8-6 1/2-4- & 2 but I can tell u bout some stuff...
1. DO NOT USE the nose sucker no more then 4-5 times a day do it be for nap or bedtime less irritation & he won't sleep as good if use it to much. And use it when really needed during the day. Also if he is congested and having a hard time sleeping, elevate his upper body, like laying in a recliner sort of way, u can use a blanket folded up, or a firm pillow to elevate him while he takes a nap Not bed time....
2. I used the powder formula too when my sons were teeny poppers... if u add the powder first then fill the bottle to 3oz mix it a little then add the rest of the water, then it will be 6oz's. but what I use to do was add the powder the 3oz of water then the last 3oz's but another ounce of water making it 7oz's, why? because it helps them digest it better.
3. When I started all my boys on solid food teeth or not, I bought these snacks called Apple Wheels (there like rice cakes for babies) man they loved them and me to, they dissolve very quickly but there also great for teething time to, so it's an in-between sort of snack. I also grab these lil puff snacks, a variety like carrots, sweet potatoes, apple, banana, etc those melt on contact and there good as my sons proven the were.. And if I wanted to test out other foods mainly what I cooked, I would put it in a food chopper and make it sort of creamy, clumpy like, or put and apple in the chopper, with some milk or (Gerber apple juice) and serve it up. Or if you feed him the baby rice cereal mix it with a fruit (I did it with the fruit puffs) that u want him to try its like having apple/cinnamon oatmeal but made for an 8 month old mix either with his milk or the flavor juice of the fruit u use or white grape, trust he will like it.
Sorry for the long reply lol Hope everything works out....have any other questions don't be hesitant to ask, I like giving lil advice on these sorts of things. (^_^)