using milk instead of water for infant formula...?

Question

My 15 month old daughter (weaned at 12 months) has suddenly become really picky with her food. She won't eat anything really except for drinking her (formula) milk, and sometimes a bit of water. A girlfriend suggested I try making the formula with full-cream milk instead of water, to increase the fat in her diet (ie. 200ml milk, 4 scoops powder; and we have already introduced cows milk into her diet). I am skeptical about this, it seems excessive and unnecessary. My daughter is not about to fade away, and I am sure this is just a phase, but I would still like to get some other opinions on this double-whammy milk concoction. Would this be worth thinking about if she continues to be picky like this? Thankyou in advance for all you thoughful help.

for the record, my daughter has been on solids since she was 6 months old. it is only in the last few WEEKS that she has shunned food in favour of her milk. I am not just plying her with milk since we weaned her, she has had an exceptionally varied diet FULL of solids. Just not the last few weeks...

and yes, we are seeing our doctor, but I thought I might use this service to see if anyone else had had a similar experience, it is quite common in kids of that age to get a bit picky.

Answer 1

It's very normal for toddlers to go through picky stages. The best thing you can do is keep offering a variety of healthy foods and try not to make a big deal out of it. I would certainly not alter the way that you prepare her formula.

I'm a little confused about why you weaned her at 12 months (from breastmilk?) to start offering formula instead of going straight to regular milk. I'm sure you had a good reason, and I'm not questioning you -- it's just unusual for someone to do that.

It is possible that if she's getting a lot of formula, she may not be hungry enough for solids, so you may want to start offering solids before giving her the formula. Also, if you are giving her plain cow's milk to drink sometimes, make sure it's whole milk (for the fat content needed for healthy brain growth).

I am a firm believer that children will eat when they are hungry, and as long as they are offered a variety of healthy foods, they will eat what their bodies need. You may need to cut back on offering breads, crackers, juice, or other foods that have less nutritional value in favor of offering more fruits/veggies/protein, but my guess is that she'll eat when she's hungry.

My almost 2-year-old has phases where she'll eat tons of dairy for a day or two, but then, she'll finish off half a can of peas another day. If I look at her diet for the whole week, it's probably pretty balanced, but each day can vary quite a bit.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

At 15 months she's really past the age of needing formula. The calories in the formula may actually be filling her up so she isn't hungry for real food. Instead of adding to the problem of drinking all her nutrition by mixing the formula with milk, give her a few choices of finger foods and let her decide what she wants to eat. When she gets hungry she will eat, unless there is a medical reason that she doesn't want to eat - she could have an ear infection, sore throat, teething, etc. If she doesn't start eating very soon, she needs to see her pediatrician ASAP. Also, make sure she's drinking enough water - when a person is dehydrated, they only want to drink and usually have little or no appetite.

Answer 3

It is excessive and unnecessary, and it's a bad idea. Very bad. Your daughter needs more than just fat, she needs protein and vitamins.
You're right, this is just a phase. Keep giving her a variety of foods and she'll start eating them again. Give her the solid foods before you even let her see the bottle, when she's hungry, and let her see you eating at the same time. Don't make a big deal out of it, because she probably enjoys the fuss.
But if she's still drinking formula, what do you mean she was "weaned" at 12 months? I don't know what that means... you switched from breast to bottle, or from bottle to cup? That doesn't really matter, if she's still not eating a full diet. The answer is you need to wean your daughter for real. Get her off the formula.

Answer 4

Well, this must be ur first daughter. We all have concerns and worries about our children especially that first ONE!! I think i was so stressed with my first child. She didn't eat much...didn't drink enough milk and not gaining properly like other children. I've did many things i was told by stangers. The best advise is to make sure she just get at enough food thats the size of her fist and snacks at least 6-8 times a day. No junk food will only make her lose out on nutrition. Even if she doesn't drink milk as long as she gets yorgurt..cheese...or even ice cream is subs for milk intake. If u feel she needs more vitamins...offer her a half of childrens vitamin. Or like others said pedisure...(i wouldn't drink it) My opion..My daughter wasted it and that stuff is expensive. was recommended by my doctor. Most of the time we worry more then we should but they do grown out of it and will be fine!! Only worry if she doesn't go to the bathroom for one often or no bowel movements (which should be one per day or more) If she gets black circles under the eyes...pale color...pain in her stomach...vomiting or diarrea... fever....Any of these things take her in...Which can be signs of malnutrition. Good luck and don't worry so much..By the way my daughter is now 4 and is growing just fine. Still bit small but healthy like mommy!! ;) ha ha

Answer 5

Do not mix milk with formula. She should be off formula by now anyway unless she is dangerously under weight. My best friends little girl does this. She is almost to and still would rather drink her diet. We just give her food first and then her drink. And limit her fluid intake for snacks. If she doesn't eat, I would only give her 6-8 ounces of fliud and then leave her alone. She will soon learn that in order to get a drink, she'll have to eat some first. It may take a little while, but it's just a phase so hang in there.

Answer 6

I dont think that its a good ides to mix the forumla with milk instead of water. On the can it says to use water for a reason and I've never heard of that! You should just call your doctor and ask what you can do. My daughter is the same way and she sometimes goes the entire day without eating because she just doesnt want it but I continue to give her milk even if she doesnt want food. She seems to still be gaining weight to me because milk has enough fat in it. Just make sure to give her whole milk instead of reduced fat! She'll get over it soon enough!

Answer 7

Kids should be taken off formula around 12 months. She should be drinking real milk. And dont worry about her eating because she will not let her self starve. I bet if she wasnt taking formula she would eat a little bit better. Try some soup, noodles, chicken nuggets, kids love all of that if she passed on that kind of food Talk to her doctor.

Answer 8

I think that calling your pediatrician is the right think to do, anyways i've heard that adding too much formula to water can cause dehidratation so, i don't believe that is right. What you can do is introduce new foods to her diet so she can try some new flavors. My 22 month old daughter had this picky periods too and i gave her tomatoes and she really loved them, when she didn't want anything to eat, i served her a plate with seedless tomatoes and she usually ate them all. Maybe trying those foods that you don't believe she is going to like, you could find something that she actually likes. Good luck.

Answer 9

There is a formula available for toddlers. Sometimes parents take no notice of how much their kids really are eating. If she is snacking on healthy things like cheese,yoghurt, fruit etc she may infact be getting what she needs. Kids also will go for a while on what seems like not much food and then start eating like horses when they have a growth spurt coming. Don't make meals so big that they are daunting she only needs a portion as big as her fist.

Answer 10

sometimes with a young child, you have to make food enticing for them, or you have to eat a little of it and ummm tell them how good it is. make some cute animal faces with the food or fruits. a 15 mo old should have more nutrition in their diet, but formula milk is full of proteins and vitamins. try introducing different things, if your ped approves.