Infant Feeding @ 9 Months

Formula is very important for their development. They really shouldn't have milk before their one year old. Juice I think is ok every now and then but the formula is the most important thing at this point. What do you mean by "very bad"? If it's digestion problems, she may have to switch to a gentler formula. I would suggest getting involved somehow or another and try to stop the foster mother from giving the baby anything other than formula.

well i dont understND Y SHES DRINKING V8 LOL BUT IF SHES NINE MONTHS SHE SHOULD ALREADY BE EATING FOOD OR BABYFOOD AND SHE CAN DRINK JUICE BABY JUICE OR BRAND JUICES I HAVE A 10 MONTH OLD BABY AND SHE EAT 3 TIMES A DAY A MEAL AND 3 TIMES A DAY A SNACK LIKE FRUIT AND DRINKS JUICE AND SHE DRINK LIK 2 BOTTLES AT NIGHTS BUT FOR DAIRY PRODUCTS SHE EATS EGGS CHEEZE AND YOGURT PLUS YOU CAN GIVE HER GALLON MILK WHEN SHES 12 MONTHS BUT I WOULDNT GIVE HER V8 BECAUSE IT HAS ALOT OF ACIDS SO SHE SHOULD STOP AND GIVE HER JUICES WATER N STUFF LIKE THAT OR TRY OTHER FORMULAS

Juice is not a replacement for formulas or milk, it has NO fat in it and does not support normal brain development if it is the ONLY thing she is getting in her bottle. I would be concerned if this IS the only thing she is getting in her bottle, but by getting just glimpses of her day to day life its hard to make that judgement call when you are not there to see exactly what she is eating all the time. If she is underweight or sickly then I would be concerned but if the foster agency is not doing anything and the doctor is not doing anything then until you get custody of the child there is really not much you can do but offer suggestions. If and when you do get custody of her I would have her to the pediatrician right away and get allergy testing done to get to the bottom of it and get her diet in order to assure her normal development. Bottom line is babies need fat in their diets, fruit juice has no fat...

S. mom of 4

I would call a pediatrician and give them the background. See if this makes sense to them. Babies need milk (breast/formula till 1 year, then whole till at least 2 years). They need the fat content that is in there. Juice is definitely not a good alternative, and definitely not V8 Fusion! There are many steps to take before resorting to juice, and depending what the doctor says, I would talk to the case worker. If you niece isn't getting the care that she needs, something needs to be done - now!
Good luck.

You are right, she needs formula. I agree try to understand why it didn't work and then choose one that might. If it's an allergy to dairy try Nutramigen or Augmenton (spelling?). They are expensive, but if you can help that would be best for the baby.

The world of food allergy/intolerance is a very confusing place and not all doctors take it seriously or even know what to do even if they do think it's an issue. It's possible that this foster parent is trying but just can't get good answers.

Your niece could have an allergy, intolerance or reflux. It's hard to know what one means by 'does very bad' on formula. Does she spit up a lot? Vomit profusely? Get rashes? Cry nonstop?

I definitely wouldn't consider juice to be a good option for regular replacement of milk (my littlest is 20 months and still doesn't get juice), unless maybe she's making green smoothies and loading the girl up with veggies in there, too. (Homemade, mind you... not V8 Fusion.)

Calcium & the other nutrients can be gotten elsewhere...depends on what solids she's eating. But there is likely a formula that would work for her, too. They just might be craaaazy expensive. Nutramigen and Alimentum (hydrolized formulas) would probably be the first ones to try (I'm not an expert or anything...just going by what the suggested options were when I thought I might not be able to continue breastfeeding my dairy--among other things--intolerant son). If those don't work she might need an amino-acid based elemental formula like Neocate.

You might also talk to a nutritionist or dietician to see where else your niece can get some of the nutrients. Like maybe fish oil added to baby food for brain development... that kind of thing.

Your niece is lucky that you've got her back. Best of luck on getting custody!

Major issuses- - Call ANY ped office and they will give you a LONG list of health problems from not getting BM/FF through the first year and all the reasons why cow's milk should not be INTRODUCED until 12 months!!!
Even at 11 months when my daughter started to wean they made sure I was giving only formula for the month until she was one then milk was slowly introduced, as formula was still her main food, then soilds changing it to soild and 3 glasses of milk a day over the following few months.