My Daughter Will ONLY Drink Formula

Hve you tried mixing teeny bits of other stuff with her formula? maybe you can gradually fool her.

Also, who is doing the giving? My weird son would not take anything from me but breast milk. With anyone else, formula, juice or water were fine. But if I tried to give himn a bottle he absolutley refused.

Let it be - she's only 9 months old. Several 9-month olds I know aren't very interested in solids yet. Formula is a giving her all she needs right now.

My son was allergic to milk until he was three. We did soy formula from 9 months on. He was only half time formula and half time breast from 9-15 months. At 15 months he just carried on with soy formula until he was 2 years old. When he bit the nipple off of his bottle that was the last bottle and he switched to sippies. He has NEVER had whole milk, maybe only about a cup of 2% and rarely drinks any milk unless I am drinking some. He has skim milk on his cereal. He is healthy, happy and doesn't really want milk. I don't think it's a good thing to introduce juice too early (it's a hard habit to break). We introduced juice after formula was done and he LOVES juice still (he's 3 and a 1/2). Don't stress about her wanting milk versus formula. The formula has the nutrients she needs and when she is ready she will let you know!

Also, about the food issue... don't stress that. My son wasn't truly interested in food until he was completely weaned from breast feeding at 15 months. He ate very little food at all, the breast and bottle were plenty for him. Every child is different, don't rush her from being a baby!

Best of luck!

If she is only 9 months old then she doesn't need anything except formula. You still have atleast 3 months of giving her formula and they make it for kids to 24 months now if she still won't wean.
Juice is really bad for kids, and adults for that matter. It's full of sugar and has zero nutrition benefits. It will just rot her teeth.
Try putting just water in a sippy cup and letting her play with it. Make sure it's a cup that's easy to drink out of. Sometimes they can be really hard to get anything out of. It's okay for her to chew on it. She will gat familiar with it and soon love it.
Soy milk and goats milk are great alternates to cow's milk when she turns a year old if she is lactose intolerant. It comes flavored too!, and has great health benefits.
Good Luck!

As the mother of 6 grown sons, my best advice is: Don't worry about it. By the time she is in colllege, this issue will be no more than a funny note in her baby journal (you do keep one, right?) If she is healthy and thriving, don't worry. And if she's allergic to milk, by all means, DON'T switch her to it. One of my sons is VERY lactose intolerant -- he's 20 now, and no longer touches dairy products. And he's healthy and thriving. And by the way, I breastfed most of my children for 18 mos to 2 yrs, and one for almost 3 years. Quit worrying about formula at nine months. She's normal. Every child has their idiosyncracies; their own unique likes and dislikes. Sounds like she's fine. But it sounds like Mom's a little formula-retentive.

why on earth would you be planning on giving her milk if she's allergic to it? As a parent of two dairy allergic girls, that simply doesn't make any sense to me. Rice milk is a good option, you can get vitamin fortified, but you have to increase the fat in her diet, since it doesn't contain what she'll need. Soy milk can be good in small amounts, too much and you have to worry about the estrogenic qualities of it.. nut milks can be good, but are often something your doctor will say not to give if there's a history of allergies in the family.

at 9 months old, food is more of an experiment than an actual need. Let her play with the textures, get used to it. If she's not chewing, stick with purees and soft, tiny pieces of food that she can't choke on. If she puts too many in her mouth, only give her 1-2 pieces at a time.

Sippy cups also aren't really a skill that all kids have at this age, they're also primarily experimental. Juice isn't really good for children anyway - too much sugar and not enough fiber. It's typically too strong for babies anyway... if you're going to try it, water it down, at *least* 50/50. Really, your best bet is to simply put water in a cup, have it available all the time, and let her figure it out over time.

basically, she's not developmentally ready, she doesn't need anything but formula (even food!) and she's *only* 9 months. Give her time, and allow her to be a baby for awhile.

about me: I'm the mother of 3 children - ages 2, 5 and 6.. and I was a nanny, preschool teacher, day care provider and babysitter for 15 years prior to having my children.

I am a mother of 3 children (4,2 and 7 months) and here's my advice:)
Instead of giving her those stars and toasts try something thats lumpy and still soft like a diced banana or peeled steamed sweet potatoes that are diced, and be patient, my oldest daughter didn't really chew much until she was around 11 months so just don't give her any smooth baby food and she'll get used to the lumpy baby food and when her motor skills are developed enough she'll chew. They all develop at their own speed. Don't stress about her not wanting to drink juice (its not actually that great for them anyways) just consistently give her some water in a sippy cup every once in a while and eventually she'll take it but stay calm and don't make it too big of a deal, alot happens developmentally between now and when she is a year if you just keep offering it eventually she'll take it and at a year you can just stop giving her the bottle and she'll get thirsty enough to drink out of a sippy cup and then she'll know that you are in charge not her...but she's too young to force the sippy cup just yet I think its probably linked with the not chewing thing, she's just not quite ready developmentally yet.

I hope this was helpful :)

I don't think your daughter is ready for food yet. If she isn't taking anything except the formula then she is getting what she needs from it and isn't ready for more foods than that.

I'd just say to not worry so much about it. Your daughter is only 9 months old. She'll get to the point where she will drink and eat other things. The formula is wonderful for her, so I wouldn't worry. I tried giving my son a sippy cup around 9 months and he just chewed on it. He wouldn't get anything out of it. I was frustrated but then I realized that it wasn't that big of a deal. Now, it's been several months, and he is drinking out of his sippy cup just fine. Try giving your daughter something soft like a banana or steamed vegies. See if that goes over better. I guess my main advice is to not worry so much. Everything will be fine, and she'll get the hang of it when she's ready. Keep your chin up. :-)
J.

Is there some reason you want her to drink something other than formula?? Unless she's constipated juice is just wasted calories. My daughter is almost 2 and just started getting watered down juice a few months ago. Only because she has to take a liquid vitamin and it needs to be mixed with something. You don't have to go from formula to milk right at age 1. It tooks us about a month and a half to get my daughter switched from formula to milk. What's the rush? Their only little once. Do rush her to grow up too fast. Most baby's/kids make the fine when there ready. They see you drinking out of a cup and want to be like you. Maybe you should give it a little more time. As for getting her to drink out of a cup. Maybe try letting her pick the cup she wants. That's always worked well with my daughter.

Personally, I wouldnt worry about it. My oldest DS wouldnt eat or drink anything except breast milk til he was 10 months old. I tryed to get him to drink water juice give him food, the works. He wouldnt drink out of a bottle OR a cup at all, he NEVER did! the first thing that he drank other than my milk was a Caprison with a straw, or Orange Soda with a straw when we would get him something at McDonalds. My advice is just not to worry. She will eat when she is ready.
The first foods that I was able to give to my son that he LIKED was just cheerios and french fries. Then chicken nuggets, and bread. Pasta is good too. If you are worrried about the change to regular milk, I would suggest just slowly start adding regular milk in with formula once the Dr says that it is fine to start her on milk. A gradual trasition will be easyer for her than a sudden one.
try to avoid tippy cups, my oldest never used one, but my other kids DID and then they wouldnt drink out of anything that WASNT a tippy cup after that for a long time.

Don't worry about it so much. She's probably not ready to move on yet. I don't agree with juices anyway. They are just sugar that your child dosen't need. Our Dr. has my kids on liquid vitamins. I feel confident that they will get their nutrients from baby food and vitamins. My 2 yr. old has always drank water wich I consider an appropiate drink for thirst. She's just now starting to drink whole milk. She never liked it before. So I would just try to give it to her every once and a while, until she finally enjoyed it. It just takes patience.

I would try a different sippy cup. I went through a few before I found one my daughter would drink out of. Also, maybe the temperature of the juice is a problem if it's not what she's used to with her formula? I have found that it matters what you use to present the juice. My daughter drinks a lot better out of a cup with a bendy straw (took her a bit to get the hang of, but now she downs anything I put in it). I had the same problems, I think it's just finding the right cup, the right temperature, and the right time. Wish you the best.

S.,

You could be describing my daughter, who turns 1 in March. As for the formula/juice thing, I wouldn't worry too much about it right now. My doctor, and countless handouts, have told me that they really only need formula until they're one. As long as she's taking the formula she's fine.

As for chewing, my 4 year old son still sometimes forgets to chew. My 1 year daughter still doesn't have any teeth, but slobbers things enough that she can swallow. As long as you're watching your daughter to make sure she doesn't choke, I wouldn't worry too much yet. She's probably still discovering tastes and textures.

Hope this helps,
Melissa

I wouldn't worry about it too much. My daughter is also allergic to milk and would only drink a soy based nutrition drink mixed with water until she was about 13mo. Then I was able to get her to eat a few bites of actual "food", but she still doesn't consume a lot of solid food a day. She is now 19mo. and extermely healthy. It is as if she knew what her body needed and for how long. Just about 3 weeks ago she has switched from her nutriton shake to natural watered down 100% juices. As long as your daughter is growing and looks and acts healthy and strong I wouldn't fight it. It is amazing how babies know what their bodies need at a certain time in their development. Maybe her body is lacking in a nutrient that is present in the formula and she just knows that is makes her feel good. Maybe she needs all the calories because she is growing a lot right now. Maybe her digestive tract is slow to break down other foods and so the formula is easier to digest for now. Whatever it is, she will out grow it when she is ready, mine did. I plan not to put my duaghter on milk at all because it is hard for her to digest and there are other ways for her to get her calcium and nutrition. Go with your mama instinct, not what is the "norm" cause in the end her health is up to you.
~ A.

Hi S.,
Sorry to hear that your little one is giving you a hard time but I may have a solution to the milk thing. What my son and his wife did was they mixed my little granddaughter's formula and milk half and half. That way she was still getting the taste of the formula but also introducing her to milk. I can't promise you that it will work but it did for them. As for the not chewing just keep trying she will chew eventually. Don't put your expectations so high for a 9 month old. Relasx and enjoy her becaue they grow so fast.
I am a mother of three grown children and 7 grandchildren.

Stop worrying! You are way to premature to be this concerned. Both of my kids really didn't want to drink anything but breastmilk and water until they were over a year. I'm sure it can be the same with formula. You don't have to worry about the switch from formula to milk for a few more months, so it might work itself out. As for not chewing.. forget the toast.. just stick to soft/smooth foods. All kids learn to eat... just give it some time. Also, neither of my kids mastered the sippy cup until around a year old as well. It will happen with time. Just enjoy your baby being a baby.

As a mom of a 7 year old who was a VERY picky eater as a baby, my advice is - be happy, don't worry. You can offer other things, in a 'take it if you want it', offhand manner, and one day your daughter will decide to do so. If she is allergic to milk, then there is no reason to give her any milk.

As for the food thing - my son also would only eat soft, non-chewable items for a long time, but now he eats 'people food' for the most part. Your daughter may not be ready biologically or emotionally for chewing. She is still really young, so there is plenty of time.

Relax and enjoy your beautiful daughter. She is not starving, thank G-d, and as long as she is healthy, she is getting the nutrition she needs.

Don't give her the sippy cup if she wants to chew on it - she is just not ready. Not any reflection on her or you - children progress at their own rate. You can try it in a month or two or three, to see if she is ready then.

Everyone already has given the advice that I would give, I just want to restate what Jodi P. has said. WHY would you want to give her dairy if she is allergic, or even if only you are allergic? PLEASE DON"T DO IT! Dairy is not all that good for us, anyhow! Most forward thinking pediatricians, naturopaths, and allergists reccomend waiting until AT LEAST 2 years before introducing dairy if there is even a family history of this allergy. There are so many foods that are just as high or even higher in calcium than dairy. Although it IS important to make sure she is getting the right fats. lemon flavor cod liver oil is the best form for kids to take supplementally (after she is old enough).Garbanzo beans, sesame seeds, almonds, etc... Although you should wait until 2 to introduce nuts, also. I am assuming you feed her non-dairy formula. If it is soy-based try not to give her more soy products, due to the phyto-estrogens in soy. Although I hear that you can get soy milk without it, you may want to check that out. Oat milk is GREAT, creamy, fortified, white and formula looking. WHEN she is developmentally ready for it- and at 9 months she is not, if someone is telling you she is, try getting advice from someone else because they don't know what they are talking about. Relax! she is only a baby once, you don't need to rush her into eating adult food before she is ready. ANd no kid needs juice. Try feeding her mashed fruit if you want the nutritional value from fruit. If you must give her something other than formula, try nutritional herbal teas like chamomile, red clover, oatstraw, and nettles.

At this age formula is all she needs to drink, so don't sweat it. If she's not ready for a sippy cup then back off for a week or two and then try again. Keep offering soft solid foods and she'll figure the chewing thing out.

Most importantly, it is not vital that your daughter be drinking anything other than formula right now. Juice is not an important part of a diet, and actually most drs suggest you don't introduce it until after 18 mths of age because it is so concentrated in natural sugars, low in calories and bad for new teeth. There are several ways you can get your child interested in drinking from a cup though. There are many varieties of cups, and I suggest you purchase several to try. Some children really like the cups with straws attached, and some children don't like a spout but just move straight to regular cups without a lid. Also, when you are transitioning to whole milk, more than likely it will be suggested that you mix it with your formula for ex. 3/4 formula, 1/4 milk for one week, then 1/2 & 1/2, and so on. Also, if all else fails and she still detests it, they now have "toddler" formulas available, although the necessity combined with the hassle would have to be your call. Good luck and be patient!

S....just stick w/offering her the other things. It's easy to panic and think they're "refusing" it but I remember my pediatrician telling me one time "in my 25 years of practicing, I've never seen a kid starve to death with a bowl of food in front of them." LOL

You've got plenty of time on the formula and learning the sippy cup etc. I would simply only give her formula in the bottle and ONLY give her juice or soy milk or whatever in the sippy. When she throws it, do not make any reaction whatsoever. She'll figure it out I promise...I remember only too well going through this exact same thing w/my 8 year old.

As far as the chewing...again, she's just learning how to do that. Babies have an amazing gag reflext too. In the menatime, go and buy a Baby Safe Feeder and a bunch of extra caps for it. Put EVERYTHING in there. I loved those things! It's impossible for them to choke, you can expose them to all kinds of tastes and they have to chew to basically puree everything down to the consistency that it will come through the net cap. I swear those are the best invention out there.

Good luck!

L.

P.S. SAHM to 8 and 5 year old girls.

Hello,
I remember our daughter had the stomach flu around 9 months old and I didn't want to start back on formula until her stomach was ready. I tried some diluted apple juice (we never do juice) and she didn't like it all. I am assuming she just wasn't familiar with something so sweet. We started giving a sippy cup with handles at age 6 months with water. She was very excited to have the choice of ice water or water, just like mommy and daddy. Even if she just practiced holding the cup for a while, that was okay.
Really, her only choices for beverages (she is almost 3) are water, ice water, or milk. She has tried juice a couple more times and won't drink it which we are quite happy about, actually! She doesn't have much of a sweet tooth at all, which is really nice.
I have friends that say the regret ever starting juice. So, if your daughter doesn't like it, I say thank goodness! :)

S.,
You might want to try making small popcicles out of her juice, particularly if other kids are around. She can try the new taste of something that appears to be a treat. One of the boys I adopted wouldn't eat solid food until he was past 2 1/2. We started with yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, etc. until he finally learned not to gag on food with bulk and texture. He is now 17 and 168 lbs. Your daughter will not starve herself. Let her see other kids eating foods they enjoy. She will want to copy them. Good luck. L.

S.,

Don't want it all at once!!! Kids will let you know what they want when they do. If you push to hard you might get a negative response. Formula is really all she needs anyway. My first son was an "on schedule" baby as far as the text books say for eating solids and juice cups and milk. My second son started solids at 4 months because formula was not enough. I have a younger brother who didn't like the texture of anything and started solids around 2. Every baby is different and don't push. She will tell you and the best you can do is offer. Softer foods are a great way to start too. Babies from the get go do nothing but suck in. The motion of moving the mouth up and down takes time to learn. Bananas, toast, baby cereal, things like that are a great way to start.
As for the sippy cup there are a ton of kinds out there. The mouth pieces are shaped different or made of different material. Maybe you can try one that is firm but plyable like the nipple of a bottle. (I found Gerber makes a good one) Putting things in your mouth is a learned behavior and we as adults know what it will feel and taste like. Babies only have had soft things so if the sippy cup is hard it might hurt or be uncomfortable. These are just things that I have put to the test with my kids and I hope it may work for you. Enjoy that baby of yours.
C.

So I write this to you and then relize I should maybe ask the question, Have you fed her baby food? Step one foods or two? Gerber cereal? She may not be ready to have more mature foods. Remember the formula gives her everything she needs so when you move on start slow and give her time to catch up. You have time.

My grandson loves Peppermint tea sweetened with stevia, it's great for the digestion system. He has been drinking weak tea (s)since birth.

I can suggest teaching her new flavors by changing the taste of the formula. In addition to regular bottles, try making her a bottle by mixing her formula with 3/4 water and 1/4 juice or a flavored decaf tea. If she likes it you can play with the mixture by increasing juice then decreasing formula. Over time keep decreasing the amount of formula in the mixture until it's just a clear liquid and no formula. She will let you know if it will or will not work for her.

Goat's milk or soy milk are good alternatives to whole milk if she has a intolerance. There is no reason you can not supplement her diet with formula. There are different stages of formulas for different stages of digestion. You can learn more about dairy products at www.nomilk.com

Patients, chewing is all part of the learning process. She will get the hang of it. Before you know it she will be chewing on everything (hopefully not you).

I hope this helps, have a great day!

I. S.
Nutrition Specialist/Herbalife Distributor

Where your daughter is only 9 months, don't rush things. She has probably just started solid foods, and adjusting to new flavors and textures. Milk is her comfort food, and her body may not be ready for any other type of drinks other than water. And don't stress about moving to a sippy cup so quickly. I know you may see advice to make the switch from bottle to cup before 12 months, but going over 12 months is not a sin and you will see a huge advancement in development in the next couple months. Most importantly, your daughter will let you know when she is ready for the changes.

There is no reason for her to drink juice. It has no nutritional value and is full of sugar. (Ask your Dr.) However, to get her to drink water, I would just try different types of sippy cups. There are rubbermaid "juice" boxes, that have almost a straw inside that my daughter loves. They are in the tupperware section, not the baby section. Then of course, there are lots of different baby ones. She should not try drinking cow's milk until one year of age. Their stomachs find it hard to digest the milk protein. Good luck!

I think you just have to keep trying. Kids get used to things, and it's sometimes hard for them to get used to anything new. Some are more/less adventurous than others when it comes to new things. Don't give up. Keep offering the new thing. She can't live on just formula forever!! Hopefully, you won't have to get to the point where you withold the formula after she refuses the other drinks, but I wouldn't stress out if you try doing that a few times. Kids don't want to go hungry or thirsty, and they won't really....just as long as she's not dehydrating, there's no worry about saying, "this is what we have now...."

With chewing, I think they're just learning. I kept a close eye on my son, he'd mash up stuff in a way that seemed weird to me, and do big mouthfuls, and all kinds of other stuff that stressed me out. But he's really good at chewing and all that now.

First of all, if she is allergic to milk, you should not try giving it to her. There is nothing wrong with keeping her on formula for now. They make formula for older babies too: Infamil makes one for ages 9 mos - 2 years I think. It is much better for her than juice and given the milk allergy, much safer for her as well. It is healthy for her. Eventually she will start to want something else.

I had a problem getting my son to drink from a sippy cup too at first. We kept trying different cups until we found one he liked. Somtimes it's the cup they don't like, not what's inside. If you put your foot down and make the bottle dissapear, eventually if she wants the formula bad enough, she will learn that it is in there and she will find a cup she likes to suck on. I like the Gerber Advanced Feeding System sippy cup. You can get it al Wallgreens. We went through about 8 different cups before he finally sucked on that one.

I would be happy that she doesn't like juice. Mine doesn't either and I have been told by both his pediatrician and his dentist that the less juice the better. It is not good for his teeth and has a lot of sugar.

She is still a little young to chew, so don't worry about it, keep giving her the food and eventually, she will get the hang of it. It's not something you can "get her to do", she'll do it when she is ready. Stay with her when she is eating just in case she chokes...

Almost every parent has a problem feeding thier kids I have learned and the best thing to do seems to be to keep giving them what you know they will eat, and wait for the phase to end.

GOOD LUCK!

Have you tried making her formula with a little juice? I would try apple or white grape juice that way she wont see a change in color, but use mostly water and a couple of ounces of juice.
I know when my 8 month old was first introduced to the sippy cup she chewed on the lid. She eventually got the idea. Also the cups, do they have a valve in the lid? Try cups taht dont have this, it will drip a little in her mouth and she wil ge the idea and wont have to suck as hard. What I found works well are the disposable sippy cups (you can reuse them but it is no big deal if they get lost). There are usually 4 or 5 in a pack and you can find them anywhere baby items are sold (sorry I cant remember the brand). I have had the most success with these cups!!
Maybe our daughter just hasnt figured out how to "chew" her food. If you are concerned about this, talk to her doctor.

Why are you trying to force things on her? What is the rush?! She sounds like she is happy on her formula, so why change things? For the sake of change? Because other babies are doing it? Forget about what all the other babies are doing and focus on YOUR child. She does not want or need something else. It sounds like she isn't ready for solids and doesn't want other drinks and is trying to tell you that.

It sounds like you're getting yourself worked up over nothing and making an issue where there isn't one. You can't get her to chew? Is that your job? Apparently her body isn't ready to chew. Does some baby book say all children should be chewing by 9 mos so your child is behind? Stop reading that book! Find a different book that teaches you to accept your child for who and what she is at any given moment.

Try to RELAX and be happy with what your child CAN DO. Be happy she does not drink juice yet, it is full of sugar and she doesn't need to get hooked on that too early. Be happy that she can sit up on her own or hold her own bottle. Some kids drink from a bottle until 18 mos or later. There is nothing wrong with that. Be happy that she is happy. Don't start trying to force her to do anything she isn't ready for.

When you think she is ready, offer her foods (and please start with pureed fresh food like avocado, sweet potato, or even rice cereal - stars are a more advanced food for babies who have practiced on purees) but don't get upset if she won't eat it. You cannot force her to eat. Take a step back and analyze the reasons behind your request. SHE is doing fine. How about you?

There is no problem with her refusing everything but formula. My daughter refused juice until she was 5 years old. Wait to give her any other kind of milk until 11 months or so, then slowly dilute her formula with the milk (vanilla soy milk works great) until she gets used to the taste. If she still refuses to take it, they have toddler formula as well.. you can try again in a month or so. She needs the formula until 12 months though... not juice (be glad she doesn't insist on juice... those moms have it hard).

As for the sippy cup, try The First Years sippy cup for older kids every time she is in the highchair. It is NOT spill-proof, so she will get the formula dripping in her mouth without sucking. Eventually, she will instinctively suck on it. Don't push it though because if she thinks you are trying to force her to she will resist.

As for chewing, give her time and allow her to swallow pieces whole if she wants to. She will chew in her own time.

Hi S.,

Relax is my first suggestion. Your daughter doesn't need juice or milk at all! Formula and water are your first concerns. If you want to introduce foods, introduce mashed foods since she isn't ready to chew. Many peds will recommend that the child be able to sit up by themselves and have at least one tooth as a sign of physically being ready for food. If she has met these requirements, then just try offering it to her. Let her play with it. She will put it in her mouth and spit it out as she explores the taste, smell and texture of food. Eventually she will decide she wants to eat, but there is no rush. Also don't forget seasonings. Their taste buds aren't fully developed yet, so adding lots of spices and seasonings may entice her to eat as well! My daughter only liked exotic foods with tons of flavor when she first started eating. She still loves spicy and seasoned food at 17 months, but she also will eat oatmeal with absolutely nothing on it. So preferences will develop in time.

My kids are both allergic to milk also, they, ages 4 and 2, drink Lactaid milk, it's all they can handle, it is a little sweeter than regular milk so it was an easier transition. Also, if you dillute the juice with a little water it won't be so strong and she may like it a little more. It took me a while to get my kids to take cups as well, but one day they did, they know when they are ready.

She may not be ready for food. Some babys dont take solids until a year and soley rely on formula. So follow her cues she will let you know when shes ready for more.They also have a step two forumla for kids over a year.

9 months old is a little young for really chewing and I wouldnt worry too much about it just dont offer her anything that really requires chewing to minimize the choking hazard. As far as Juice goes.... Juice isnt actually really good for young children anyways they are getting enough fruits at meal time. Juice is also not good for childrens teeth. I would follow her lead if she doesnt like juice its not really important to give her. As far as the sippy cup thats a hard one for some children to learn. I wouldnt push it until she is over one year old. What kind of formula do you have her on regular or soy? if she is on soy formula and she has a true milk alergy then she may never take cows milk. I made that error with my first daughter I nursed her she had a reaction they put her on soy formula she did great I transitioned her to cows milk and now she has major alergy issues with milk if she drinks too much of it she gets a sore throat and sores in her mouth. I really have to limit her dairy intake. Raising your first baby can be so confusing. take her cues and just enjoy this time let her be a baby as long as you can they grow up really fast.

Wow. Tough! The only thing I can say - my 16 month old will go through stages where she won't swallow anything that isn't just the perfect texture or size - she spits it out. This usually happens in the two weeks before new teeth come in, so all I have to do is wait it out. As far as drinking...we switched from breast milk (from the breast) to cows milk (from a bottle) when she was 1. My trick? Cows milk, warmed up, with two 2 tsp sugar in it. She was ready enough to suck it down when it was that sweet! I quickly reduced the amount of sugar I put into her bottles, so that by three bottles later, she was drinking straight cows milk.

Also, with chewing - I know a lot of kids that won't chew their food, including hot dog bits! Actually, my baby chokes a lot...it's actually really really hard for a baby to really choke on food. They will cough it back out if it doesn't feel quite right.

I went through this with my daughter, only it was apple juice. They say it takes 7 times of trying another food for them to develope a taste for it. What we did with my daughter was we just got rid of juice all together, and anytime she wanted a drink we offered her water (or whatever you at subing with) she refused it many times, even throwing fits- finally when she realised we weren't giving in she started drinking it- it wasn't easy, but now she mostly only drinks water, which is better anyhow, and occasionally will drink juice. Now you may not be able to get rid of formula since she may still need the nutrients because of her age, but establishing times when she can only have it- like meals, and in between only give her other options, it will take some effort, but she will grow out of it- As for the chewing thing, does she have any teeth? At her age that is totally normal not to chew, just give her small enough bites so she wont choke and eventually she'll pick up chewing! Im sure you are doing a great job with her, just keep it up and hang in there!

Don't worry about it. Formula has everything she needs. My son had the worst gag reflex and we fed him baby food for along time after we were supposed to have him on big person food. A friend who is a dietary specialist was appalled. He is a freshman in college, very smart and talented with no psychological damage from his early eating habits. Relax work through the solid food issue and the other one will slowly work itself out.

By the way check out my son's web site www.andrewpankow.com he is a wedding videographer, you will love his work.

Good Luck
C.