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Q

"Green" Question

Columbia, SC

Does anyone know (preferably with research to back it up) which is "better" for the enviornment-- using Playtex bottles with plastic drop-ins or inserts OR using the water it takes to clean and sterilize traditional bottles. I have a two month old, and it seems like I am constantly washing bottles-- under running water of course. I don't use enough dishes to run the dishwasher before I need clean bottles. I feel like an environmental criminal either way, and couple this with disposable diapers and I spend my days wondering what I am doing to the enviornment with just one baby! Yes, I tried nursing, but my son was on a feeding tube right after birth and for the following two weeks, then the hospital nurses started using fast-flow nipples (even though I requested they use slow since I wanted to nurse). Also, even though they were using my breast milk in the bottles, he didn't have the patience to nurse when we got him home. Therefore, even if I continued to pump I still had to choose some sort of bottle system. I don't see a huge advantage over either one since you still have to wash rings, lids and nipples with the Playtex, but I do feel like I am saving some water not having to wash the bottles.

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Q

11 Month Old Transition

Boston, MA

I have a question. My son is 11 months old and I am having a really hard time getting him to eat "real" food. He will eat anything that is crunchy such as cereal, toast, fish sticks and chicken nuggets. He won't eat any pasta and only eats vegetables when he is in the mood. Is it normal for a baby to have so much trouble adjusting to new food.

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Q

2 Year Old Refuses to Eat

Sacramento, CA

Hi Moms, I need help! My son decided 2 weeks ago that he no longer wants to eat. He has always been a great eater. Up until now he could eat half a chicken breast for dinner along with a little bit of the sides. He loves pizza and usually eats 2-3 slices. All of a sudden though he no longer wants to eat. He tells me "no like to eat." This has turned into quite the battle at mealtime. I have him sit at the table with us and he just screams. My husband and I are very frustrated because 1) we are concerned about his him getting enough to eat and 2) he has always been well behaved and now we feel like we are constantly disciplining him. Our last big battle was 2 nights ago and he ended up in his room with my husband and he screamed for 20 minutes before calming . The only thing he wants is juice or milk. I am at a complete loss as to what to do. Have any of you experienced something like this? Oh yes, I know he is not teething. That was my first thought, but his two year molars came in about 3 months ago. He also turned 2 last week. It is like a switch flipped on his birthday and he decided he no longer has to listen or obey the rules. Thanks so much for your help! ~A.

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Q

4-Year-old Seems Obssesed with Food?

Sacramento, CA

okay, so i will start out by saying that i don't want any nasty e-mails telling me i am going to give my child an eating disorder. i already know this is a touchy subject and as a person who has struggled with being a little overweight most of my life, i understand the harm that can be done. that being said, my beautiful, slightly chubby 4 and 1/2-year-old is either eating a meal, planning what's coming in the next meal or wanting a snack. she is definitely not underfed and we try to have her eat healthy things.....most of the time, of course. i try to not make a big deal about food and her too frequent requests for food, but i am starting to get a little concerned. wmy hubbie and i both come from fairly heavy families and we are both tall. my daughter is 44 inches tall and weighs about 50lbs, so she looks more like a 5 or 6-year old, and is waist-wise wears about a 6x, which is always WAY too long. anyways, i am looking for advice or comments from someone else having gone through this, etc. it just seems like most of the kids her age, are barely eating and are little string beans, which i don't expect given her genetics but i am just concerned about the path she is headed down. i want to give her healthy habits at a young age instead of having to make drastic changes later. thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

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Q

5 Yr Old That Won't Eat

Detroit, MI

I have a 5 yr old daughter that has days where she just won't eat. She likes what we are having, but goes on these kicks of not eating for a day or two and then WHAM she eats everything in sight the next day. We are looking for discipline ideas to try and get her to eat daily. We have tried the "no more food until breakfast tomorrow", but I know she is still hungry. I hate to give in because that isn't teaching her to eat dinner with the family when it is prepared. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Q

A Better Straw Sipper Cup

Huntsville, TN

Hi. I have recently started my daughter on a straw sipper cup because she couldn't hold up a regular sipper cup enough to get a drink. The kind of cup we got was a double pack (Nuby) that has the flexible straw on the outside and a rigid straw on the inside. The problem is the straw doesn't go to the bottom of the cup, it leaves about an inch of space, so she can't get all the liquid out that was inside. It frustrates her and wastes milk or juice. It also leaks. If anyone has any experience with these and has a better one, please let me know. Thanks for all the help.

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Q

Breastfeeding Advice

Toledo, OH

I currently have a 5 week old and I breast fed her up until now. I have stopped and started formula because my diet wasnt right for her and it was better to put her on formula. My question is how long will it take for the milk to stop producing especially because i stopped completely and didnt ween?

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Q

Cold Milk

Dallas, TX

Hi moms, my one year old has never has liked his milk cold. Even his formula had to be warmed in the bottle warmer and now that we have switched to regular milk, he will not drink it cold, and we still have to warm it up. Any tips on how to get him to drink cold milk? Also, we are giving him what seems like the same thing every other day or so for his meals and snacks. Any suggestions that you can give on your one year old's meals? And how do you get them to start using the spoon? Thanks for your help!

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Q

Diet for My 13 Month Old

Chicago, IL

Hi all, I have a 13 month old son who is a great little eater but because I mashed his fruit into his cereal, yogurt etc. he doesn't know nor will take a real piece in his hand (same for veggies-always mashed), so I am trying to figure out how to get him to start. I have started offering him apples, oranges etc. but to no avail. Any ideas would be appreciated. Also when he wakes in the morning he gets a bottle and I was wondering if he should be going straight for cereal etc. and a bottle later...

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Q

Finger Foods

Rockford, IL

My 8 month old teething son stares at and reaches for the food my husband and I eat, so I figure he's ready to try some soft finger foods. The problem is that every time I give him something, like soft, cooked peas or carrots, he gags and vomits. The same is true for Cheerios and Zwiebach toast. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make finger foods easier for him? Thanks.

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Q

Food Causing Constipation?

Dallas, TX

I started my 7.5 month old on cereal at 6 months and then started veggies three weeks ago. Since I started the veggies, she has been struggling with her bowl movements. Any suggestions on how to help? I have heard switching to oatmeal cereal can help or giving her prunes or prune juice. please let me know what has worked for your babies.

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Q

Foods That Start with the Letter A

Chicago, IL

Hi Moms, Tomorrow is my daughter's turn to bring in snack. The snack has to start with the letter A. We think will go out and buy animal crackers tonight. The only other items we can think of are apples and apricots. She likes apricots, but I'm not sure how many other 5 year olds do. So...if you can think of any other fun food for her to bring in, let me know soon since it's a late request. Thanks! J.

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Q

Gaining Weight for a 2 Year Old

Kansas City, KS

I have a little girl that will be 2 at the end of the month. At her checkup recently, she only gained 2 pounds in 6 months (putting her at 22 pounds, 11 ounces). About 8 months ago, she was tested for allergies and it was determined that she is allergic to milk and soy. We switched her milk to organic milk and it really seems to help. We have left all her other foods normal. Our problem now is that she does not eat very well. She will take a few bites of her food and is done (especially at dinner time). And to top things off, she is still waking up in the middle of the night hungry. Her doctor seems to think she has acid reflux. If she does not gain any weight in the next month, we are off to a pediatric nutritionist. I was going to try Pediasure and the Nutripals. Has anyone tried these? Did your child gain weight? Any info (good or bad) would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has gone through this same issue, any type of input would be nice to receive (no appetitate, allergic to milk & soy, and waking up in the middle of the night to eat). Thanks.

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Q

Getting Burn Marks Out of Corning Ware

Chicago, IL

Hi, I was reheating spaghetti sauce in a white cornng ware piece and I forgot about it on the stove!! There was about 1/2 inch of caked on sauce, (I got all of that off) but now there are just a lot black marks all over the bottom of the corning ware piece. Any suggestions for getting rid of it? Thanks so much! S.

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Q

Getting My Nine Month Old to Use a Sippy Cup.

Madison, WI

My son is nine months and I have trying for awhile to get him to drink from a sippy cup. He CAN drink from it and was drinking water and juice from until I tried to give him formula in it. I am still breastfeeding but at dinner I give him formula and I would like him to drink the formula in the sippy cup before I ween him completly. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or a sippy cup that works best.

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Q

Has Anyone Heard of Sweet-Factory???/

Dallas, TX

Hello-- I am from CA and am used to being able to buy candy in bulk when needed. I know there is a Sweet-Factory in Dallas but it's a bit too far for me to drive for candy as I am in Keller. Here's my question: IF your familiar with the SF, Do you know of any other store in this area that sells a great variety of candy that is similar to the SF?? For example where can I buy a big bag of blue Jelly Bellies?? HELP M.'S! Thanks in advance

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Q

How to Get 1 Year Old to Drink Whole Milk

Los Angeles, CA

My son just turned 1 and I have only breastfed him (no bottles) . I'm looking for creative ways to get him interested in whole milk . I do keep trying but he does not seem interested(actually shakes his head no) . I got the Nube sippy cups . My daughter seemed a little more easy going about this when she was one , so I need some ideas/tips on what other moms have done and how long it took until your child was finally interested . I am still nursing him but starting to wean him and don't want to have him miss out on any fluids . I have also tried water in the sippy cup and he just let that dribble out . Thanks for any tips .

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Q

I Need Help Getting My 12Mnth Old to Eat Table Food

Philadelphia, PA

My baby is 13mnths old and refuses to eat table food. I know he can chew because he will eat cherrios, crackers,and veggie puffs. He just cringes when he picks up anything that is not hard and crunchy to eat and he refuses to open his mouth so I can introduce him to anything new. It has even gotten diffulcult to feed him jar food, he pushes that away also. Feeding time has become very stressful because I am getting worried that he will never eat "real" food and that he is not getting adequate nutrition. I was told to try to give him table food and if he refuses to just end the meal there and wait for the next meal because he should be hungry then he will eat....WRONG!!, he still refused it. Please give me any pointers or tips, my Dr wants me to put him in a feeding clinic in a hospital and I really don't want to do that.

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Q

Introducting Solids to 4 Month Old

Charlotte, NC

Hi everyone my daughter will be turning 4 months old on August 13. She has been eating cereal since she was 2 months old and for the last month I have being putting applesauce in her cereal. I just wanted to get some ideas on what I should introduce next to her. Is it ok for her to start eating #1 vegetables now. thanks for any advice

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Q

Introduction of Solid Food

Chicago, IL

I'm looking for guidance for introducing solid foods for my 6 month old daughter. Do you always give her the bottle before any cereal/fruit/veggies? Do you need to wait a bit after the bottle to feed her the food? My pediatrician is looking for 3 meals a day and she still takes 5 bottles. That would be 8 meal times every day so I'm just trying to understand the best process for teaching her how to eat and getting her what she needs (but not spending all day doing it!). Thank you!

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Q

Kroger 'Comfort' Formula Vs. Name Brand

Cincinnati, OH

Hi Everyone, I was just wondering if anyone has given their baby the Comfort formula Kroger makes. Formula is so expensive and this being my 3rd child, I'm trying to cut costs anyway I can. However, I don't want to deprive her of any nutritional value. Any advice you have would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Q

Ladies My Family Is Coming to TOWN!!

Dallas, TX

Okey Ladies once again here I am!! Okey here is the deal my mother wants to cook Thanksgiving dinner in what it suppost to be my Wedding day like I told you all before my husband and I are finally able to be married thru church and His mom, my mom, Dad, Stepfather, brother, sister and fiance and husband are coming.. Now my dilemma is that my Husband does not want to have Thanksgiving Dinner on Our Wedding Day we want to go out and Eat.. Now I have my mother on the other hand saying; Doesn't he realize that this is the first time that the whole family will be together?? So I told my mother NO THANKSGIVING DINNER,Being in my Husband side!! But aw!! now my mother is upset and I still don't know what I should do? I was thinking that Maybe since most of them are coming on Friday night maybe we could do the thanksgiving dinner my mother wants on Saturday and then Sunday after the ceremony we can go to a restaurant to celebrate my Wedding however the reason I didn't want my mother cooking is because I have alot to do I have to picked up my Wedding cake on Saturday at 3:00Pm and then I am getting my hair done at 5:45pm I didn't want anything to come between that?? Help Ladies Help!! At this moment my mother is upset and telling me, Eva I don't think any of us can go to a restaurant don't you see there is to many of us?? I don't see the problem I am sure they can all pay for their food I did when I went to my sister's Marriage no one paid for us and is 6 of us alone plus we paid for our rental car, gas and travel to New Orleans.

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Q

Learning to Drink from a Sippy Cup

Chicago, IL

My son just turned one yesterday, and I'm having trouble getting him to drink from a sippy cup. He doesn't understand to suck from it. He only wants to chew on it. He will take liquid from it with the sippy top off, but still wants to chew on the cup. He will take liquid from a straw when I hold the top of the straw and put the bottom end in his mouth and then let the liquid out but he won't suck on a straw, either. He only seems to understand sucking on a bottle. I've had various kinds of advice. Some people say they only gave their kids milk or formula from a bottle and anything else had to go in a sippy cup, so if they wanted juice, for example, they had to take the cup. His doctor said to start only putting water in the bottle so it's not so appealing and formula or milk or juice in the sippy cup. Unfortunately, the first day we tried that, he refused to drink much of anything. She said he should be getting a total of 30 oz of fluid a day, and he's been constipated a bit lately, so we can't afford for him not to get enough fluids. I guess my main question is, how did your kids learn to start drinking from a sippy cup? and how long did they continue to take a bottle?

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Q

Looking for Chocolate Footballs or Eggs

Phoenix, AZ

I am making cupcakes for a super bowl party and put off buying anything until yesterday. Of course, everything is completely picked over and I can't find anything that even resembles a football that will fit on a cupcake. I don't necessarily have to have chocolate, I will take the little "picks" shaped like footballs that you can stick down in the cakes or those little cake decorating candies shaped like footballs that you usually find in the grocery store by the frosting. Anyone seen anywhere that has any of these things left? Or does anyone know of a store that sells the little chocolate footballs or eggs?

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Q

Lunch Boxes & Lunch

Austin, TX

Hi Ladies, My little one will start pre-school next month. I am supposed to send lunch. Please give me recommendations for lunch boxes (the ones made out of healthy materials) and recommendations on what to send as lunch. I am thinking finger foods would be great but need some more help planning. Suggestions please.

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Q

Mom Weighing In...

Tampa, FL

OK I know that it took 9 months to gain all that baby weight but now that he is here, I thought by now I would have lost some thing. Well, to my surprise that didn't happen. I haven't been eating great because of all the holiday gatherings so you can imagine I have added another 10 LBS to the scale. What are some helpful tips to shedding the pounds on a tight schedule? I have some time around 8:30-9:30 but not enough to devote 45+ minute work out time to. Any great dieting plans would also be helpful. My husband is a carnivore and I never get the chance to eat healthy or else I would have to take the time out to prepare 2 meals instead of one. So simple and easy is what I am looking for.

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Q

Moving from Formula to Whole Milk

Dallas, TX

I am having a hard time moving my daughter from formula to whole milk. I have to mix 2oz formula with 4oz Whole Milk. We have been doing this for about 2 months now. If I just give her staight milk she won't take it. I also can't get her to drink Milk/Formula out of a sippy cup! She will drink Water, Apple Cider out of it great but I put milk in there and she spits it out. Any Suggestions for either of these? My Daughter is 13 Months old.

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Q

My 16 Month Old Won't Eat

Dallas, TX

I have an almost 16 month old who hardly eats. She weighs 19 pounds and from her 12 month to 15 month well child visit she only gained about 6 ounces. The pediatrician told me to give her a can of Pediasure every day. I always offer food first and she may or may not eat a couple of bites and then all she wants to do is drink. She may have 2 good meals a week. She will eat something from all of the food groups but only like a bite or two. Her main things she eats are grilled cheese, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, peas, pears, dried cherries/raisins, drinkable yogurt, and a little lunch meat. I can never made casseroles because she won't even try them. I am so tired and frustrated with all of this! Any suggestions would be so appreciated.

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Q

My 2 Year Old's Eating Habits

Los Angeles, CA

I have a 2 year old son that doesn't want to eat regular food at the sitter's house. She sits him down to eat and he gets mad and then throws up after taking bites. He doesn't do this at home, only there and not on a daily basis. Any suggestions??? Help! He is my youngest and we never had a problem with our daughter doing this.

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Q

My 20 Month Old Won't Eat, Any Advice??

Sacramento, CA

My daughter has been going through this for 2-3 months now! She barely eats. Even if she likes it, she will only eat a little if at all. I've tried giving her different choices or none at all. Healthy or not. Nice about it or strict. I am so frustrated i have to walk away now. Please any advice or good, quick food ideas! Much appreciation!

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Q

My 2Yr. Wont Eat Whats for Dinner.

Dallas, TX

Can anyone help me. My 2yr. Son wont eat whats for dinner at all. I mean all the time. I fix kid freindly food. He does not eat all day but he does have snaks, but not too close to dinner. This is a every day thing. Its hard to get him to eat anything that we are eating. All he whats to eat is peanutbutter sandwiches and oatmeal. Thats it. Im fine with it only cause at least he is eating. But my husband is getting upset cause he wont eat the food that is made for him. I dont want to make us somthing and he gets somthing different. He needs to eat what we are eating. Dinner time has become somthing not fun anymore. We eat at the table and we do the family thing but when your getting upset that your kid is crying for somthing eles all the time, i tell ya its hard. Please if you can help me. Thanks so much. =)

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Q

My 3Mo Old HATES Bottles

Phoenix, AZ

My son HATES bottles and pacifiers, etc!! Which is making it difficult for me to go to work. Thank goodness Im only away from home one day a week. However, that one day is torture of my in laws. Has anyone been through this? Has any suggestions? We've started trying to give him bottles at home but he screams/howls/squeals his discontentment and refuses to eat until he is breastfed again. I have breastfed him from day one but he's had a few bottles here and there without issue, until recently. Help!

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Q

My 6 Month Old Will NOT Take a Bottle ~ and I Go Back to Work on Monday!!!!!!

Sacramento, CA

Hello all! I am at my wits end, as is my poor mother (who is going to be watching my little angel while I am at work) My 6 month old son has been breastfed since birth, only offered a bottle at one point when he was 2 months old (he refused then as well)and now it is a necessity that he have a bottle during the day.... I really don't know what else to try, we have tried four different bottles/nipples (two of which are supposed to mimic the look of the breast) and he doesn't latch on to any, in fact throws a fit when you try to feed him. I am getting very worried, as I start a new job on Monday and don't want to be stressed about my little one starving. Please offer any suggestions!!! I am willing to try anything! On a side note ~ my mom (his nanny during the day) gives him several helpings of rice cereal which has been mixed with my breast milk, so he is getting nourishment through that. Thanks, S.

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Q

My Daughter Is SO SLOW at Drinking Her Bottles, Any Suggestions?

New York, NJ

Hi, I have a healthy and happy 5 1/2 month old daughter. She's an absolute joy...except when it comes to taking her bottles! It's like she is never hungry/thirsty, because she wants nothing to do with her bottles - she fusses or screams at them and wriggles all over the place. When she does finally take them, she slowly sucks away at them, wanting to stop after taking only about 3 or 4 oz, and it can take her up to 45 minutes just to do that! She started doing this around 3 months of age - it seems to be because she is distracted and too interested in everything else going on around her. My daycare is having the same issue with her. The doctor says she's fine - growing and in the 50th % for both weight and height - so we're not concerned about any health issues...but I am wondering - is anyone else experiencing this? If so, do you have any ideas on why she would do this and maybe some suggestions to improve it? Thanks for any advice! K.

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Q

My Eight Month Old with Not Eat Food

Fresno, CA

I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on starting baby on foods. My eight month old has been strickly breastfeed. I am trying to introduce baby foods but he just will not take them. We have been trying for over a month. He does not drink from a bottle he just wont so juice is'nt working well either. I have tried just about everything with food even some food we eat, not just jar food. He just has no interest in anything but nursing.

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Q

My Son Will Not Eat Fruits and Veggies

El Paso, TX

I have a 2 year old that will not eat fruits or vegetables. I mean 0. No matter how I prepare the food. I try to hide the veggies and I make drinks from fruit and he wont eat or drink them. I dont how he does it, but he know when there are veggies in his food. He used to eat bannanas but now he wont even eat that. Ill show him a fruit and like if he is affraid of them. He gets 0 servings of fruites and veggies. I have tried to put fruits in his mouth like a pich of something and it wakes him want to throw up. What can I do to make him eat them. My 4 year old loves them and never had a problem with him.

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Q

Need a Turkey for Thanksgiving

Dallas, TX

I am looking for a cooked Turkey for Thanksgiving. I would like to find a deep fried one that I can pick up that day. Do you know of any places that offer that and the pricing? Also I heard Popeye's does it, are they good? And does anyone know if Dickey's or Spring Creek offer a cooked Turkey and their pricing? Thanks!!

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Q

Need Advice

Denver, CO

I have two year old little boy and he is definatley headstong and willfull. I have a trouble getting him to eat. He just won't do it! Refuses to eat breakfast and minimal lunch and dinner. He is skinny but not un healthy. Any advice on how to coax him into eating?

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Q

Need Advice for Getting Breastfed Baby to Use a Bottle

Milwaukee, WI

I have a 6 week old son who is exclusively breastfed. We have tried a few times to get him to take a bottle, but he just screams endlessly. Part of it is probably my fault for waiting so long to introduce the bottle and then not being persistant once we did try. I still have 10 weeks before I go back to work, but I'd like to be able to have my husband give him a pumped bottle so I can get out of the house for more than 2 hours at a time :) I know one suggestion is to try a different brand of bottle. However, we cannot even get him to try sucking the one we have, so I don't know if he even realizes it has milk in it. I don't want to waste money on a bunch of new bottles that he won't even try. Any other suggestions for things we could try first?

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Q

Need Help Introducing Sippy Cup

Dallas, TX

My almost 11 month old son still does not hold his bottle and will not take a sippy cup. (He can hold onto the bottle, but will not hold it while he's eating...) When I try to give him a sippy cup, he tosses it across the room. Any suggestions on helping to introduce the cup and on getting him to hold his bottle? Also, I have heard that it is better to hold off on introducing whole milk until at least age 12 months because of possible allergies. Is this true?

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Q

Need Help with Powder Drink Mixes That Have Dried Up.

Austin, TX

I have several drink mixes that have dried to a rock hard solid. I had read somewhere that you can put something in the mix to absorb the moisture and make it powder again, but I'm not sure where I read it and Google is not helping me at all. I think maybe it's not putting something into the mix but maybe putting the powder mix into a microwave with a cup of water on the side...? I just don't remember. If anyone knows anything I can do to make the drink mixes powder again I sure would appreciate it. I know I can just go out and buy more, but in this economy I want to use what I have.

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Q

Need Ideas for First "Real" Foods!

Dallas, TX

Help! I have no idea how to go about starting to transition my baby from baby food to table foods. All I've successfully managed to introduce to my 11 month old is Cheerios. I already have the chunkier jarred baby food in his diet, but would like to start transitioning over to regular food. I need some ideas! Like, should I make plain noodles, small shapes, and try that? Is that too slippery? Should I cook fresh green beans and mush them a bunch? What about little bread pieces? I'm so afraid of him choking. BTW, I must mention, I am not a creative cook. I totally consider it "cooking" if I make my husband & me grilled cheese for dinner.

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Q

Need Ideas for Table Food for a 10 Month Old

Dallas, TX

I am trying to get my 10 month old completely off of baby food. He has not been as interested in it as he spits it out the majority of the time plus it is really expensive. The problem is I am really not an excellent cook, but also want to avoid feeding my baby a lot of prepackaged junk. I need easy quick meal ideas that him and I can enjoy together, or at least they he will enjoy.

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Q

Need Ideas for Transitioning to Table Food for Toddler

Detroit, MI

My son Marcus is almost 16 months old and still won't eat table food. He has 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom and gums that seem to be swollen ALL the time. His gums have been this way for months. He is generally happy and has a great disposition 96% of the time. Are there any suggestions on how to transition him to table food? I've tried Cheerios, Kix, french fries (god forbid), the Gerber Puffs, Gerber's baby version of Cheese puffs, and other similar things. He plays with them, he'll lick them, he may even bite them, but the result is always the same; he spits it back out. Normally I would not be too concerned, but recently he has started refusing or fighting eating his baby food (3rds) and I honestly believe he is, like all people get at some point, tired of eating the same things all the time. HELP!

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Q

Need Some Ideas for Good, Healthy Snacks

Dallas, TX

My daughter is 10 months old and is in the process of transitioning to some 'big people' food. She still has cereal and fruit for breakfast and lunch but she is working her way to more regular food than baby food. I'm looking for ideas on soft, healthy snacks that I give her. She doesn't have any teeth yet but she is really good about chewing stuff. I do not currently give her anything that is hard because I don't want to hurt her gums. Do you have any suggestions on what healthy snacks I can give her during the day? I work full-time and I want to provide her childcare provider with some good snacks. Thank you for your help.

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Q

NO Weaning! - Help!

San Francisco, CA

My daughter took a breast or bottle whenever until we decided it was time to start weaning at 7 months. Now she refuses the bottle all-together and will only breastfeed. Any suggestions? We've tried formula & breast milk in the bottle. Me being out of the house for hours and given by several other people all sorts of new bottles ... Adiri & BreastFlow..... She hated it in a sippy cup even though she loves water in a sippy cup!! help! Also, Mallory will only nurse for 6 minutes at a time and that has been going on since she was 3 months old. She is growing well and seems to be a very happy, healthy smiling baby. I have heard about letting her wait until she is hungry enough but often she will just hold out and make up for it in solids - seeing milk is supposed to be her main source of nutrition this is an issue - right?

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Q

Picky Eater Won't Eat

Dallas, TX

Ok Mamas, I REALLY need some help here. My little non-eating angel is almost 17 months old, and I have tried so many different things to get her to eat on her own. About the only thing she eats is macaroni(and sometimes will not eat that) When I try to feed her anything, she clamps down and shakes her head and will not open anymore. I was using the Elmo video distraction method(probably for about a month now)...which does work, however it makes it impossible to feed her anywhere else other than home. Last night I fed her on the patio and we talked about birds and airplanes ....so she only ate less than 1/2 a jar of 3's baby food. YES! She is still eating baby food, only because I cannot get her to eat much of anything else...even though I know she is capable...she has a mouth full of teeth, and knows how to use them when she wants to. I guess my question is this...I have heard that distraction methods to feed are not good for them, and that you should focus on the eating and what they are eating and make it fun. Well, my daughter apparently does not think eating is fun, and I don't know why...she never has. When I feed her she only likes baby oatmeal, and yogurt, which she will eat most of the time with not much fuss. I am still breastfeeding her, and she takes that like a champ, and will do the same with a bottle while with her sitter... I would like to get her to eat before pushing the issue with the sippy cup and traumatizing her further....please tell me if my thinking on this is wrong. I breastfeed or give her a bottle every 5 hours and try to feed in between this at 2.5 to 3 hours. I worry if she does not get enough liquid, because she has just started getting constipation issues in the last few months.She gets about 20 oz a day with this, maybe a smidge more, plus some water and will not dring juice either. I would really like to wean her, and would love it if she were getting proper nutrition from her food..aaahhhh, I am about to pull my hair out. This is my one and only child, so I am looking for MAMA EXPERTISE. I can't of course force her to eat, but I am exhausted from her being whiney all the time, and waking up in the middle of the night etc...(I know she is hungry!) This all started when I stopped feeding her with Toy & Elmo video Distractions. I am trying so hard for food to be fun for her. Any ideas are appreciated...what you feed your kids that they love and is nutritious, and what ideas you have for getting food into this child who does not want her Mama to feed her anymore....HELP, I can't take the whining and no sleeping anymore.

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Q

Portable Snacks for a Nine-month-old

San Diego, CA

What do you pack when you are going to be out with your infant for a few hours and want to have something for her to eat? My almost-nine-month-old is very thin (16 pounds!) so she needs to eat frequently. But her favorite foods are things that aren't very portable: scrambled egg, chunks of tofu, yogurt, pureed soups: all things that spoil easily if I try to carry them with me. She can't quite chew dried cereal yet or even chunks of cheese. I have recently discovered that she will drink almond-milk, which is a little bit more portable. Do you all have any other suggestions?

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Q

Problem with My 19 Month Old Son at Dinner Time

Decatur, IL

HELP MOMS..... My husband and I are having ALOT of trouble with our son at dinner time... Here is my problem, for the last 5 or 6 months we are having trouble with our son staying in his high chair for lunch or dinner..sometimes he will sit in the high chair without throwing a fit but then after about 2-3 minutes he starts screaming and flipping out sometimes throwing his food on the floor..well my husband has allowed him to sit on his lap after he throws these fits then he will finish his food on my husbands lap...he didnt want anymore of his food at the high chair but will finish as long as he is sitting on my husbands lap.. i bought a booster seat to make him feel more like a big boy but that didnt work either..I KNOW THIS IS MY HUSBANDS FAULT FOR STARTING THIS.. but now i dont know how to stop it...my problem is now our son thinks if i throw a screaming/throwing food fit my daddy will pick me up and i can sit on his lap!!!!!and now when we go out to eat he doesnt want to sit in the high chair he wants his daddys lap.... I NEED HELP TO HAVE A PEACEFUL DINNER WITH EVERYONE SITTING IN THERE OWN SITS-

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Q

Refresh My Mind Please I Can Recall Typical Behavior

San Francisco, CA

I have forgotten what typical behavior is like for a 16 month old. My grandson is having severe separation anxiety when his dad (my son) leaves the room. My son thinks it's because he and the babies mom aren't together anymore, but they haven't been together for nine months and they are still working out custody. Also the baby did not seem at all hungry tonight. Dad gave him full sippy cup of juice before dinner. He also gives him choices of about 6 things at dinner. I think that is too many. Thanks for the help

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Q

Rust on Mixer

Kansas City, MO

I have little spots of rust on the mixer blades that get inserted into my hand mixer. I think this is because I ran them through the dishwasher a couple of times. (The mixer isn't that old, and I have only used it a couple dozen times!) Is there any way to remove the rust? Also, we have one of those black steamers that you put on the stovetop (it's black with the small white paint speckles on it - the kind you can buy at Target). I recently put the inside steamer basket section of it in the dishwasher...and now that has little rust spots on it. Any suggestions for removing the rust so that it will be safe again for preparing food?

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Q

Safe Dinnerware for Children

Chicago, IL

Does anyone have ideas about safe dinnerware/bowls/cups/sippy cups for children. I am concerned about using plastics now because of the leaching of chemicals and am looking for non-toxic alternatives that are non-breakable and dishwasher safe. Any ideas?

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Q

Seeking Advice to Help Toddler Gain Weight

San Francisco, CA

Hi to all you wonderful moms! I have a toddler that is 20 months and is very tiny. She was born over 7 pounds and is very healthy but just VERY petite. She is mostly asian and her dad and I were somewhat small childen but the doctor is very concerned about her weight and I'm really stressed out. She eats but doesn't seem to gain weight. She loves her veggies and fruit so the only fattening thing she likes is cheese but she won't eat it every day. Also, the doctor recommended pediasure which she does not like. She is again 20 months and only weighs 20 pounds. Any suggestions as to help her gain weight would be more than welcomed. Thank you all in advance.

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Q

Seeking Moms

Minneapolis, MN

I now have mastitis. I'm on antibiotics and was told to breastfed or pump so breast empties. This doesn't help when i make more milk then baby takes. Also lack of experience in different postion holds.

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Q

Should a 13 Month Old on a Sippy Cup Start to Drink Without Sipping Cap?

Los Angeles, CA

I'm so confuse, I keep reading that a 12 month old should be able to drink out of a cup. My 13 months drinks from a sipping cup and I am wondering if I should start teaching her to drink without the sipping cap? I admit I am not looking forward to this training process but at the same time, I wonder if it's too early to teach my baby such skills? If it's time to remove the sippin cap...any advise on how to train my baby?

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Q

Sippy Cup

Dallas, TX

My daughter is going to be a year old in about two weeks. For a while now we have been trying to get her to just try sippy cups when she has water or juice. At first she didn't mind the sippy cups, but now that the count down has started to having to get her off the bottle she will not have anything to do with it. This morning I tried to give her a little bit of her formula in the sippy cup. She sat down and screamed until I agreed to put it in a bottle. Any suggestions on how to get her to like the sippy cup? We have tried numerous different cups. I even took her to the store with me and she grabbed one that she liked, but then she had to suck so hard to get anything she didn't like it. Help!

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Q

Sippy Cup and Diaper Questions

Dallas, TX

I guess I am confused about switching to a sippy cup. I am working with my 9 month old to use a sippy cup, but I have only been giving her water or a little juice. Am I suppossed to be replacing her bottles of formula with formula in a sippy cup? Also recently my baby has been drinking a lot more in the evening, and she has been waking up in the morning with a super wet diaper which has been leaking on to her pjs. I thought about putting her in the next size diaper at night, but wonder if that will leak too if it is too big? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Q

Strawberry Stains Set In....

Houston, TX

I have an adorable outfit that received a couple of strawberry stains from my almost 1 year old! I have treated the outfit with Toddler Stain Remover and tried to hand wash and machine wash, but the stains are set in!!! Any suggestions to remove the strawberry stains?

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Q

Sucking Thumb Helps W/ Swallowing?

San Francisco, CA

So I am finally winning in the battle to get my 6mo old to eat solids, yippee! Among everything I've tried, I finally given up and let her do what she wants with her hands. What she wants to do is to suck her thumb while eating- actually after every bite. This has seemed to be the key-she is eating better than she ever has, and wanting more-the fight seems to be over! My theory is that sucking her thumb helps her swallow. It makes sense to me, just wondering if anyone else agrees or has had this experience? Just curious...

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Q

Super Suppers or Dream Dinners?

Dallas, TX

My sister in law's husband is being shipped off to Iraq for a year. She has a 2 year old and another one due in July. She is going to have her hands full and I'm worried she won't feed herself properly. So, I thought I would get her a gift certificate to either Super Suppers or Dream Dinners. I have 2 questions: which one is better and do you know if the serving sizes are going to be small enough for one person. Or is she just going to waste a bunch of food? Any other ideas are appreciated as well.

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Q

Switching from Bottle to Cup

Kansas City, KS

Hello mamas. So my son turns 1 Monday and I am planning on switching him off formula and just to whole milk. I already have been trying to slowly take a few bottles out of his daily diet everyday. I dont know if on Monday I should just make him go cold turkey and just throw out all the bottles or Im wondering if I should just continue what Im doing and take them away like 1 less a day or something...Also Im wondering if I should stop with the baby foods completly and switch him to our foods or slowly take that away as well... He only has 1 tooth although he eats "real" food good so any ideas?? Also, should I be giving him more healthy snacks in place of the formula???

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Q

Switching from Formula to Milk!

Philadelphia, PA

Hi, I am having a bit of a problem with switching my son from Advance Isomil Soy formula to milk. The ped. suggested at 12 mo's Soy milk he broke out into hives then tried whole milk but broke out again. Grrrrrr. He has no problem drinking it, it's just that he seems to be allergic! Today, I figure I would try organic whole milk. I hope he takes to this if not I am not sure what other type of milk to try. Help! C.

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Q

Taking Away the Bottle

Los Angeles, CA

Help! My son is 15 months told and won't give up his bottle. He can drink from a sippy cup and straw and will do so happily for water and juice but as soon as he taste the milk he stops drinking. It took me 2 months to transition him to regular milk (he had terrible constipation), so I started trying to take the bottle away a little later than I probably should have. He has gone a week without drinking milk, then I break down and give him the bottle. The nurse suggested giving him nothing to drink at all except milk in a cup - I tried that for a day then he ended up with blood in his stool due to lack of fluids - I couldn't do it again. Any ideas?

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Q

Taking My 1 Year Old off Baby Food

Los Angeles, CA

i have a 1 year old little girl. i am thinking of taking her off baby food (the purees) because she will eat anything i do. she still enjoys the purees and eats them well. we got her a lil entre meal and she ate the whole thing. my question i guess do you think its too early to take her off the baby food purees and when did you take your toddler of baby food? any and all advice is great thanks!

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Q

Thanksgiving Meal - Need Pre-prepared Meal or Good Resturant

Los Angeles, CA

I thought it would be a great idea to have my family over to our home for Thanksgiving this year. Now that it is getting close I am realizing that I may have bitten off more than I can chew. We have a small condo, and 6 adults and 4 kids (all under 4) coming for Thanksgiving dinner. I am hoping that someone knows of a good grocery store that has the dinner pre-made or as a last resort a resturant that is open for Thanksgiving. I just don't think I can prepare everything for my family with the space in our kitchen. Thanks for any suggestions!!

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Q

The Sippy Cup

New York, NY

hello all, My son just turnned 19 months and has been using the nubby sippy cups with the straws as well as the playtex with the straw. I have been using these because he NEVER held his bottle or the regular sippy cup. Well I have to say I am so sick of the ones hes using now because the leak all over and are a bit hard to clean so I want to put him on a regular sippy cup and think at 19 months he should be more than capable of holding it on his own. Well i went out and got some and he still seems 'unable' to hold it right and he expected me to hold it for him (not gonna happen) how can i get him to hold it and drink properly? i feel he doesnt know how to hold it and i should've tackled this sooo long ago by teaching him to hold the bottle and not giving in so easily with holding it for him. any ideas? please help!

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Q

Throwing Food on Floor!

Dallas, TX

My 17 month old throws food on the floor everytime he eats. I am trying to break him of doing this. I have tried telling him no, thats not nice, getting him down whether he is finished eating or not. I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions. I don't remember my 7 year old intentionally throwing food in the floor when he was little. Is it normal for them to throw food intentionally at this age? I have also tried ignoring it for a few days. It didn't change anything. Maybe I should try it longer?

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Q

Toddler Lunches

Dallas, TX

Hi Moms, My nephew will be 18 months soon, my in-laws send him to a daycare that does not provide meals. My sister-in-law makes his lunch everday for school. The daycare does not heat up any meals and she is running out of ideas for him!! I suggested, egg sald, tuna salad sandwiches, those types of things. Do any of you out there have suggestions on "cold" or room temperature meals for an 18 month old?? Thanks in advance for your help!

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Q

Town & Country Foods?

Dallas, TX

Has anyone heard of Town & Country Foods? They deliver frozen organic meats (and veggies?) to your house. They called with their pitch, and it sounded kind of intriguing, but when he came out to give us our "free" meat and do the sales pitch he insisted that my husband had to be there as well as me or he couldn't do it (because of the Better Business Bureau rules?). It sounded kind of odd. Just wondering if anyone else has used them or has experience with their products. Thanks! T.

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Q

Transitioning from Breast to Bottle

Chicago, IL

I have a 6 month old and for the last month or so she refuses to eat anything from a bottle. I need some suggestions on how to get her to take a bottle. I feel like I have tried everything. Has anyone else had this problem? This is very hard on me because she still nurses every two hours, which means I can not be away from her for more than two hours. I am standing in a wedding in March and I need to do something quick because it is 7 weeks away and my own mother refuses to watch her if she is still screaming at the sight of a bottle. Thanks.

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Q

Trouble with Drinking from Cup

Chicago, IL

My daughter is almost 14 months old and refuses to drink from a cup -- sippy cup or regular cup. She knows how, she just won't do it. We have tried different kinds of cups, every brand, with handles, without handles, hard spout, soft spout, straws, regular cups. You name it, we've tried it. I've filled it with water, milk, juice. Nothing seems to interest her. My doctor says to give up the bottle cold turkey, but this seems rather harsh to me given the fact that she doesn't drink out of a sippy at all. I'm worried about her getting enough fluid. Has anyone else had this issue come up? I've asked my friends with kids, but everyone seems to have made the transition without incident. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated! M.

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Q

Trying to Get My 13Month Old to Eat Solids

San Antonio, TX

I have a 13mos.old daughter that won't eat her food. We've been giving her the Gerber Graduate dinners and she'll spit the food out, play with it or just doesn't want it. So then, we'll go back to the Gerber stage 3 foods. Which she'll eat (sometimes) We do mash her foods but nope she'll give me this look. She does have teeth only in the front and she does eat the Graduate puffs, crackers and of course some of the food thats on my plate. Some ppl tell me that she's lazy and doesn't want to chew and some tell me its the texture. Is she to young to try solids? should I wait til she's older? or is this normal at this stage? Can any one help me with any suggetions.

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Q

Weaning 15 Month Old

Washington DC, MD

I started the weaning process a few months ago and am now down to just nursing before bed at night. I don't nurse him to sleep, but it's definitely part of our nightly routine. I have been thinking about possibly cutting that feeding out soon (within the next week) when my husband will be watching him at night and putting him to sleep. I've tried to cut it out over the past month (kind of), but he really seems to still want it so I didn't push it. Does anyone have any advice for getting rid of this last nightly feeding? Forgot to mention that my husband is able to put him to bed when I'm not around, so it's not a matter of me HAVING to do it every night, it's more of feeling that the longer I wait, the harder it's going to be for him--- when it's me putting him to bed. I am still on the fence about how I feel about it-- not really sure if I'm ready to stop or not, but feeling the time is coming and I want to be prepared.

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Q

What Age Did You Get Rid of the Sippy?

Davenport, IL

I am just curious at what age did most of you get rid of the sippy cup? My son is 3 and only has 1 type of cup he uses at home (usually for milk only at bedtime). I think it is more of habit for him than anything else. Anyway, just wondering what other moms have done...Thanks in advance!!

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Q

What Is an ITALIAN DUNKER? Given at Pre-school????

Houston, TX

Hi, I know this sounds like a crazy question but I trying to find out what an Italian Dunker is.... I have never heard of this and my daughter is given this at school for lunch. We are having issues with the school providing her foods that she is severely allergic to so now, I am doing my own research on what foods she is being given each day. Any help would be appreciated.

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Q

When to Start Giving Milk

Detroit, MI

Ok so my son is a little over 10 months old. He is a very good eater in fact he eats more than his sister who is 22 months older then him. He eats a good three meals a day and has about 4 bottles a day now. Should he be drinking more formula and when can I start giving him whole milk. I know he likes milk because he takes his sisters sippy cup all the time.

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Q

When to Start Sipi Cups

San Francisco, CA

My son is 7 months old now and I do have another child whose 5, but I dont remember when is the earliest to start them on sipi cups. I was thinking of trying now since he's 5 months. Is that too soon. Also what age do they start stage 3 baby food? I'll take any advice I can get.

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