My Baby WONT Drink Any Formula

If he will not drink any formula at all, try giving him 1 or 2% milk. Most doctors tell you not to because he is too young, but if he is eating solids with no reaction, I would definately give him milk to drink. All babies are different and I never really listened to what the doctors say. If I did my kids would have starved to death.

Have you already quit totally or are you planning to quit? The reason I ask is that some people have had luck pumping and mixing breast milk and formula. You still mix the formula as it says to on the can. Then add breastmilk. The first day or so try 75% breastmilk and 25% formula. Then after he takes that okay move to a 50-50 mix then down to 25% until he is totally on formula. Sometimes they just have to get use to the taste. You can also try sippy cups if you are trying bottles now or vice versa. That might help some too. Good luck!
H.

You may want to think about slowly adding formula to bottles of breastmilk. I have a 7 mo old who is still breastfeeding, but last month I had to go away for work and didn't have enough frozen breastmilk for the time I would be away. So, I simply added a few ounces of formula to the bottles of breastmilk. I heard that is the best way to transition. Maybe start with 2-3 oz in the bottle (assume a 7-8 oz bottle), then slowly add more and more formula so that he slowly gets used to the change in taste. Adding cereal and other things to the formula may not be working, because the majority is still formula and he hasn't acquired a taste for that yet. Hopefully, he'll eventually get used to the formula.

I also heard that you shouldn't give the baby regular milk until at least 1 yr old. Good luck!

talk with your doctor first but both of my children were intolerant to formula(runs in the family) and at 5 months old they were switched to whole milk and put on poly vi sol vitamins.

My son did the same exact thing after 6 months of breast feeding but then i re-tried Enfimal Lipal and he loved it the second time around. My biggest issues with converting to the formula was that he had a difficult time using the bathroom. But its all resolved. Re try the formula and I added a teaspoon of sugar in it at first to lure him to it.

InfantSee4D Ultrasound

ok first off can i ask why you have to stop breastfeeding/? Whatever you do do not give him regular milk yet. Babies need to be on either formula or breastmilk until 1 years of age. Have you asked his ped about this? My sister gave me some advice when I thought I would have to quit breastfeeding that if he gets hungry enough he will eat it. I know it sounds horrible but its the truth. Is there a medical reason why you have to quit breastfeeding/? If not are you sure you have to quit all together. You could try to supplement. Also try to recreate the atsmophere you have when you are breastfeeding. Try letting someone else give him the formula. Breastfed babies are use to Mommy giving them the breast and are reluctant to take anything else at first. Good luck

V.,

My son refused formula starting at about 8 months. We tried for awhile "brib" him to eat. Finally I talked to the doctor and they moved him to milk. I would definatly talk to his ped.

My first son weaned himself at 6 mos.
He was fine - I asked the doctor for a liquid vitamin to make sure he was getting all the 'stuff' he needed and let him show me what he was ready for...
always start small for three days with something new in case of allergies...

I have a 7 month old who is eating some people food without reactions now and actually wants to eat dinner with us now(not much just like pieces of bread etc)she is also breastfeeding and taking babyfood. She will do the formula but doesn't like it so I have to deal with getting bit sometimes withthe breastfeeding or just give her the other foods but my stepmom who is in L+D and has worked in the NICU has said that at 8 - 9 months they can safely go ALL grown up food full time. Ohh yeah and with the vitamins my doc said with all babies to give the Enfamil baby vitamins and she told me I could start her at 6 months on them. I found them at Wal-mart. And just a regulaer wal-mart not a super or anything like that. They work great just start the baby off with 1/2 cause the taste and the second move the baby up to the full 1ml of them.

Gosh...my little one won't take formula well a bottle period from me since i am nursing. I literally have to leave the house!!! Try having your husband or friend feed the formula after you are out of the house. Just step outside or go into the basement. Maybe it will work enought get him used to the switch.

Can you try pumping your breast milk now - stocking up and freezing it? I know that giving breast milk the first year and avoiding dairy the first year are the standard recommendations... Ask your doc. if it is too early to go to solids completely - maybe that is an option too.

Pediatricians don't usually want you to stay with breastmilk or formula until 1 year. I'd talk with the ped for suggestions before trying anything else. Have you already stopped nursing? Will he take breastmilk in a bottle? Or is he particularly attached to the breast? Can you supplement and wean slowly or do you need to stop suddenly for a specific reason?

when my son was at that age i started him on reg milk and he was fine ask your doctor if its alright to try him my son was a premie i use to put vitamins drops in his milk

I see you saw all of the responses, I just want to say check with your doc to see what meds he/she will put you on a lot of meds are safe for breastfeeding I take Vicoden for a muscle condition I have pretty strong ones at that and they are even safe, all sorts of meds are I would find out what you will be taking and call your local La Leche League www.lalecheleague.org they all have a book with like every medication in it and it tells you if it is truely safe for breastfeeding even if the medication directions say its not they do that for insurance purposes believe me I have been on things like antibiotics that say do not breastfeed on the directions but they actually are safe. Just check it out =) Best of luck!!!

My cousin's baby did the same thing. Try to mix breastmilk with formula a little at a time for him the get used to the change. It might take awhile, but it worked for my cousin. Good luck.

Here is a different type of response worth looking in to. My son stopped nursing at 8 months and WOULD NOT drink formula, of any type. Can you blame him? That stuff is nasty. I was at my wits end when I spoke with a doctor ( a little bit older). She said back before formula, kids were given a mixture of consensed milk (from a can) with Caro syrup and water. I don't have the exact recipe anymore. With this type of drink, it was suggested that I give an added iron supplement in liquid form. My son loved it. And it's not quite as expensive as formula either. Worth giving it a try. Good luck!

First, buy powder formula...not as nasty as pre-mixed. Pump breast milk and gradually add formula to it...1/4...1/2...etc. Don't switch to whole milk early....the protein is different and has been linked to diabetes and autism when started too early. Good luck. Oh, and if the baby won't take the bottle, get the cups with the straws that come out the bottom....fun, and easier to get milk quicker. W.

I have one suggestion for the formula ... mix it. If you normally give an 8 oz bottle, give 6 oz breast and 2 oz of formula mixed together ... then the next day do 1/2 and 1/2 ... then the next day do 6oz formula and 2 oz breast. If you have milk stored, then you can wean him slower.

That is great that he has taken to a sippy cup! As for not taking the sippy cup at night, then you should get a bottle. I breastfed for 3 mos and had to have emergency surgery, so I have to stop immediately, lucky for me I had a ton of milk stored at that point. The bottle I found that worked for me is breastflow by the first years. It is supposedly the closest thing to the breast!

I hope this helps.

My daughter wouldn't take to formula either. We kept trying differnet bottles and different formulas. If you have family nearby you might try letting him spend the night. Having it come from someone other then you (whom he expects the breast from) might make it easier. Also if he get thirsty enough he is going to drink. My daughter finnally started taking formula when my husband and I went on our honeymoon. (8 months) Basically she didn't have a choice.

Why do you have to stop breatfeeding?You do not have to say if you do not want to!If you have to stop breastfeeding, can you pump, and supplement?If you can not pump, have you tried different bottles/nipples?The bottle that worked for me was Dr. Browns.I loved them, and that is the only one my daughter would drink from once I stopped breastfeeding.I do not think it is the formula.What formula is he on?Do not give him regular milk, and do not add cereal or other baby food to the formula.I would offer a bottle in differnt temps.My daughter took the breast the way it was, but the formula had to be cold(fridge).I would make it up at night before bed for the next day.My daughter would not drink it warm or room temp.Let us know.

When I first read your request, I wondered why you needed to stop breastfeeding. I was able to read your update before responding. You may not have to stop breastfeeding. Depending on what type of surgery you will be having, your doctors should be able to work with you to minimize the milk you are not able to use. Talk to a lactation consultant. They are the experts on medication and breastfeeding. A friend of mine just had major surgery when her daughter was only a few weeks old. She was able to talk with the hospital lactation consultant ahead of time and knew how long she would have to pump and dump. THere was even someone who was able to pump for her while she was in recovery and unable to pump for herself! You have time now to increase you milk supply and pump and freeze the milk to use while you are unable to use your milk right after surgery. If that is not possible, I would recommend looking into raw goat's milk. It is the closest to human milk. It is lacking in folic acid, so you might need to supplement. If you only use it as a fill-in while you are unable to use your milk, then I wouldn't worry about it. It is expensive, but the taste is not offensive like formula. My son will not eat or drink anything besides breastmilk, but will drink goat's milk. I suggest raw, if it is available, as pasuerization destroys vital enzymes. Good luck with your son and your surgery.

J.

Why do you have to stop BF? Maybe its not that the formulaisn't good but he still wants to nurse. Trying changing the bottle. Also when you feed him put the bottle under your arm so the nipple is exposed The baby still thinks its BF. Hope this helps.

talk with you doctor about putting half milk and formula in his bottle that way je is still getting all the vitamins he needs

Definitely do NOT give him regular cow's milk.

Can I ask why you must stop breastfeeding?

L.

i do not suggest trying all kinds of formula, it is not good for babies digestive system. and NO do not add cereal, milk, or vitamins!!!!!!!!!
i think it is not the formula, but maybe the bottle or nipple. he is use to breastmilk from the breast, so the transition to a bottle may be the issue. has anyone else tried bottle feeding formula? he may only want breast milk from you- Momma!
so first have someone else feed him if possible, and second try different nipples, and temps. of the formula.
also if he is eating solids do not worry as much, he is still getting some nutrition.
also at that age you could try a sippy cup!

good luck!

I would call your doctor and discuss it with them. They would be able to give you the best advice. Good Luck~

L.