We are transitioning from breastmilk to formula for my 4 month old baby. As we are increasing the amount of formula per feeding (every feeding is mixed with some breastmilk), we are noticing that he seems to turn his head to the side and cry for the first few minutes. After this time he will sometimes get the hang of it and finish the bottle, but sometimes he will end up only taking a few ounces. It does not seem to be gas related. I am wondering what may be causing this--pain, distraction, etc. It seems to be about the same for Similac and Enfamil.
Thank you everyone for the advice. We switched to a sensitive formula of Similac and he is doing great!
sounds like you're going too fast. don't increase the amount of formula every feeding, you're not giving him time to adjust. slow WAY down. i'd only increase the amount of formula every 3 or 4 days, and then only by a little. that's a big change, give him time to get used to it, both the taste and the physical effects.
khairete
S.
Breastmilk is sweet. I've never tried formula but I'm pretty sure it isn't. For a baby going from breastmilk to formula would be like going from vanilla yogurt to plain.
That would make me cry too!
Do you still nurse at all? Does the baby do this when you nurse as well? If not then it may just be that he prefers breastmilk over formula...?
study up on REFLUX and G.E.R.D.
Despite being desperately hungry, sometimes my son would turn away fairly violently from the bottle after every few sucks. We finally figured out that he wanted his milk quite warm and we hadn't warmed it enough sometimes.
Have you tried only breastmilk in the bottle? It would help you determine if it's the formula or the bottle itself. 4 months is old to introduce a bottle and so he may just want to nurse. My kids breastfed for over a year, but starteed getting occasional bottles at 2-5 weeks. Even when one had been getting an occasional bottle for weeks, all of a sudden she started rejecting it. Basically 4 month olds are a lot smarter than newborns. He proabably wants to nurse and is commplaining. If you have to stop nursing for some reason, I would suggest being persistent with offering the bottle occasionally and make sure that someone other than you does it. You should just leave the room/house. Wean from the breast as gradually as possible.
Hi E., Welcome to motherhood! I am a nurse and mom, lots of experience with infants both professionally and personally. Is this the first artifical nipple you have introduced to the baby? Does he take a pacifier? If you dont introduce an artificial nipple before 1 month of age, the baby will often reject it for quite some time, if he takes it at all. Even with a pacifier, he may reject the bottle if not introduced prior to 1 month of age. It could also be that he does not like the taste of formula. It is not AT ALL sweet like breast milk. Breast milk is sugary tasting, like the milk left in the bowl after you eat the sweet cereal. Quite yummy compared to formula. If that is the aversion, it just takes time to integrate him to the new "flavor". Some babies are more "picky". You may want to try a "nuk" nipple or a playtex nurser with a "nuk" nipple. It most closely resembles the shape of your nipple in the babies mouth during suckling. The bag system is also cleaner, easier and allows alot less air in baby's tummy during feeds. It most resembles breast feeding from baby's point of view. The Avent system is also preferred over the typical plastic bottle system for lots of breast feeding moms. You may also want to use a "slow flow" nipple, or one made for a younger baby. Breastfed babies have to suck harder than nipple fed, the flow of milk through the nipple may be too fast. He also may not take the bottle from you, he associates the breast with you. He may take it better from someone else until he gets used to it. If you do the feeds, try laying him in your lap, propped up with a little pillow or boppy, or lay him next to you, avoid holding him in the cradle position or any position that is the same as you used during breastfeeding. Most importantly, keep trying. He will get hungry enough eventually and take the bottle. You can also try "cup feeding" with a medicine cup or a slow flow sippy cup. It's more work, a bit messier and you have to be very patient so he won't choke. Try not to get frustrated or upset, he will feel that and it will be harder and he will be fussier. Good luck.
It could be the fact that it's formula and he doesn't like the taste (have you ever tried that stuff ewww my oldest was bottle fed and ick) where as breastmilk fluctuates in flavor thickness and even temperature depending on your sons needs at that particular time
It could also be the proteins. My first thinking is dairy how much was in your diet while breastfeeding?
My oldest NEVER took a bottle and it wasn't from our lack of trying I pumped and pumped but he preferred to cry for 2 hours while I was dropping my daughter off at her dads vs taking the milk from a bottle. It got easier he would go longer times we could distract with food when he got older but not once ever would he drink from a bottle. I was so worried about it that what if I got in an accident etc that he would starve to death.
Is it possible that you keep breastfeeding I really think that's what he is trying to tell you he wants?
Let's face it! Your baby is smart. He wants the best.
Breastmilk is the best milk. For your child's best health is would be better is yu kept him soley on breastmilk until heis at least 6 months old. AF
Hi E.,
Seems his body is reacting to the formula. Why not just keep breastfeeding and skip the formula? You can check out www.llli.org, www.askdrsears.com and www.mothering.com for more info.
Good luck!
S.
your baby is very smart - he knows a difference between breastmilk and a substitute.I'd try to breastfeed a baby longer, unless it is absolutely necessary for you to quit.
Hi E.,
Is the nipple flow too fast? Sometimes if it is too fast, this can cause them to get overwhelmed and turn away.
G.
Sounds like it might be acid reflux or a milk allergy/intolerance. I'd talk to your doctor and also suggest trying either a soy formula or Alimentum (very gentle on tummies). good luck. L.
Hi
I am not an expert or experienced when it come to breast feeding and weening from the breast (all kids were formula fed) but I do know that sometimes formula can be a little harsh on babies stomachs & as your baby is used to breast milk this could be the cause , have you tried using something like Similac sensitive or the Enfamil equivilant (lactose free) as they will be more gentle on the stomach until your baby is a little older and used to formula.
Good luck
K.
