9 Mo Old Does Not like the Taste of Formula

Hi A.,

I am a board certified lactation consultant. I had wanted to give you some input on refusing formula. The first question I have is: Are you planning on weaning or do you just want another method to feed your child.
If it is a case of weaning, then I would suggest Carnation formula. Carnantion formula has the highest sugar content, therefor it is sweeter than most formula's. Have you tasted the formula?
If this is a case of just wanting to introduce another feeding method, then I would say skip the bottle, go right to the cup and continue w/water +/or juice. It is recommended that no more than 4oz. of 100% juice is offered until 1 year old. Now that he is 9 months old and you have tryed the other juices then it is ok to offer citris juices (unless severe allergies run in your family.) If you think he's drinking more juice than suggested just try watering it down with extra water.
It is also suggested that no more than 4 oz. of water be offered in 24 hrs.
Another thing to keep in mind is....... He should be weaned off of the bottle between 9-15 months. So, if you continue w/offering the bottle and not using a cup, you may be setting yourself up for the challenge of weaning from the bottle.

If you are planning on continued breastfeeding and have any questions feel free to write me back.
Just a few common phases for the breastfed child.

1. If you are lucky enough to have a baby that sleeps thru the night, be aware....this is the age they start waking again. This is not a need for additional food, but more for comfort. Granted if you don't mind the breastfeeding @ that hour then continue to offer the breast. This stage is called seperation anxiety. 1 big clue is when you get out of your child view of sight, they start to get frantic/crying. What is the best advice..... if not going to breastfeed, I would not suggest formula at night. I would offer 4 oz. of water in a cup. This is not much of an incentive to continue waking in the middle of the night. This can also be related to a decrease in bf during the day. They are really smart babies. Some babies will increase breastfeeding in the middle of the night. If breastfeeding has decreased because mom is choosing to wean or go back to work.

2. The baby starts using the pincer grasp. This is when your child can pick up items off the floor, or high chair w/pointer finger and thumb.Usually when this happens, it a sign of readiness for increased textures.

3. You may have an infant that is barely crawling or an infant that can jog a run. Either of these developmental stages are normal. However, due to new independence, they want to go, go, go!

4. Sometimes because infants are so aware of the surounding enviroment, this may cause them to refuse breastfeeding (nursing stike), or pull off the breast while nursing. Keep your finger redially available to break the suction. Or, You will want to smush his face into the breast "ONLY IF HE BITES AND WON'T LET GO". This will cause him to open his mouth vs. pulling the breast & nipple w/ him.

When he turns 1 years old, it is not important that he drink cows milk. If he does drink milk then it should be whole milk only until the age of 20. Some people may suggest ging from breastfeeding to whole cows milk. This is not a good suggestion. Cow's milk does not have the vitamins and nutrients that are in breastmilk or formula. It is also extremely difficult digest. It could cause stomach bleeding (not always present in a bowel movement) and also milk anemia.
It can also produce allergies if they run in the family. You wouldn't want all that hard work of breastfeeding go down the drain. Remember breastfeeding(breastmilk) reduces risk of allergies.

Thats all I can think of for now. Sorry so long! Good luck and its ok to write me back!

H. B.

Wow, this is a difficult subject since every child is different. My son was always bottle fed. I loved the Carnation and I especially loved the Kirkland brand with DHA and ARA when I found it. It is 2 cans for $20 at Costco. Huge deal!!!!!! With my son after a few months I think he was bored with formula so I started putting a small amount of apple sauce or apple juice in with the bottle. It would add a little texture and flavor to the formula and he loved it all over again. My grandmother told me that, so I tried it and it worked. I only would use maybe one ounce to a 6 ounce bottle of water. I started tyring the sippy cup at about 11 months and went straight to regular milk at that point too. Once we tried the cup he wouldn't take it until he saw daddy and mommy both used one without the lid on it at the dinner table and we all matched, it was what he wanted. My husband and I both used one for about a week and then there was no more bottle. I think this is a huge trial and error thing, and I'm sorry that not one person has a direct answer for you. Good luck with the change.

A.,

I tried to do the same thing when my son was 10 months old. He would drink juice from a sippy cup, but when I gave him formula he'd throw the cup at me. He was exclusively breastfed too. I have never had much luck with pumping either. I just went ahead and nursed him until he was 13 months and then weaned him. I just wanted to give him formula to give myself a little break, but it didn't work. I tried Enfamil, Similac, Goodstart, Costco formula and I just gave up. I was tired of wasting the money. I had wanted my hubby to be able to give him a bottle of formula if I had to run errands and my son just wouldn't take it. I now have a 5 month old and she won't take formula or even a bottle of anything either. I would suggest trying to give him a snack or some kind of solid food if you're trying to get him to go longer between nursing. Good luck and I hope you find something that works.

L.

I would suggest not giving him a bottle and only use a sippy cup, since most doctors say to get rid of the bottle around their first birthday. Most peds recommend switching babies from formula to regular milk around 12 months, so I wouldn't worry too much if he doesn't like the taste of formula. Maybe wait another month or so and then try regular milk (or soy if there is a history of intolerance of milk).

Babies that are not breastfeed are supposed to be off the bottle and formula around 1 yr of age and just relying on "regular" drinks and baby food, so I would think that your baby should be fine too, if you are gone and your hubby just offers him babyfood and milk/water/juice... No different than a non-nursing baby home with dad at this age. =)