Breastfed 7 month old hates formula... HELP!?

Question

My son has not been gaining weight so the ped told me to pump to make sure he's getting good amount... well I am nearly dried up and didn't realise (I am 3 1/2 months pregnant) btw, yes I am aware that they get more than you would from pumping. Anyhow, he drank the first bottle of formula without a problem and then the 2nd we had more trouble, the 3rd, he refused it completely! I would pump and do half breastmilk but I am bfing him before offering him the bottle (as per ped) and by the time he finishes he is crying because he's still hungry... no more breastmilk to pump. I need any advice please.

Yup, I hate that I can't EBF anymore, I was planning on going until at LEAST one year but as long as he is happy and healthy, that is all that matters to me. I use to swear I'd NEVER give my baby formula... never say never! As for different nipples... I have the Nuby with the 3 stages lid and I have tried all of them... it's the taste he does not like, I am sure. The face he makes is priceless but very much his way of saying "Mommy, what the HELL are you trying to feed me?!"

I tried to IM you Nattysmommy because I wanted to ask you, do hospitals give formula samples if you are no longer a patient? I can not really wait for the formula companies to send them to me and I do not want to buy 10 different cans of formula to test them. Costco will let you return any item but that's not what I want to do... ruin 10 gallons of formula just for one small sample!

Answer 1

My cousin had that problem and the ped told her to add a little pedialyte into the formula to give it flavor

Answer 2

If you are wanting him to be on formula, offer him the bottle first...wait a while then nurse him so he doesn't associate refusal of the bottle to get what he wants. You didn't say if he was getting any solids. If it's just a weight concern, by 7months they should be getting 3 solid meals a day, plus bmilk. Try having someone other than you give the formula. Kinda confused by you saying your nearly dried up, but you say you still BF, so if your worried about your supply, nurse more often and there is an herb that works well called FENUGREEK (not sure if you can take that if your preg. you'd have to check). Your bottle should be one that supports breastfeeding, and has a similar nipple, so it's less of a change for baby. Good Luck

Answer 3

Are you giving him solids yet or still waiting? My pediatrician wanted my daughter to gain a bit more when she was about 6mths old, and so we started giving her baby yogurts after I nursed her. A few little yogurts a day in addition to nursing (no other solids) and a mth later the Dr was really surprised how much she had gained. That and I nursed more frequently, not realising she wasnt gaining enough. She seemed happy... Well, I'm no expert on breastfeeding or anything, I just have my own 11 mth experience to guide me on this, but I would say I wouldnt EXPECT to express much at this point. You have your supply to right where he needs it to be and not extra. I think a lot of children at that age are looking for other foods besides milk - perhaps instead of trying to force formula which he doesnt like and is a huge hassle, perhaps you could add solids to supplement his hunger.

Answer 4

There's a drug called Domperidone that's completely safe for the baby and is used to increase your breastmilk. It's not to late to get it back if you baby will still latch on (even if you are completely dried up) The sucking of the baby will get it going again. I'm not sure if it's safe during pregnancy however, you'd have to check with your doctor. If you can't do this option, I would try another kind of formula with a different taste. Hope this helps

Here's a link about Domperidone
http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/domperidone.html

Answer 5

For a 7 month old, I'd say food over formula.

Are you giving him cereal? Add a pat of butter to it, to get him some good fats. This will add calories (and calcium) AND help his tummy feel more satisfied (and keep him from burning straight through the cereal.)

Are you giving him orange veggies like mashed pumpkin or sweet potato? Mash some butter in. Same as before: Good flavor, good calcium, and some (much needed) fats.

You can also give him tofu, hard boiled egg yolk, yogurt (whole milk yogurt only, please -- and none with honey), cottage cheese... These are all good protein foods to help "take up the slack".

Also... Go to your pediatrician's office or WIC office, and weigh your baby, then nurse him & weigh him again to find out how much milk HE'S getting from your breasts. (I agree -- it sounds like he's not getting enough. But this will let you know what the quantity he's getting is, and you & your pediatrician can use that info to evaluate your options.)

Answer 6

Hi - try buying some sachets of different formulas. My daughter refused a bottle 5 times before I found a formula she would like.

Also it may be the teat - try a different shape or size feed rate.

It might be the feel or taste of the teat - silicone/latex/rubber

Try Pigeon's Peristaltic teat - it moves like a nipple. Check out this link.
http://www.babyshop.com.au/cube/view_product.php?product=32070-2660

You can buy them from Chemists across Australia and of course online.

My boy was not getting enough molk from me and i put him on S26. He got constipated straight away.

I changed him to Goats Milk formula - he took it well but smelt like fetta all the time.

I asked my pharmacist for help and she gave me samples of a few brands but said Nutricia is one of the best. Because he is easily constipated I have him on the Infant Starter not the Infant Starter Gold (extra iron)

Good luck

Answer 7

My son additionally refused all solids jointly as getting his first 2 tooth, then had an endemic and it took approximately 4-6 weeks to get him eating back. interestingly foodstuff is often the 1st component of pass while little ones are actually not feeling nicely. i'm specific my son lost weight too. it quite is commonplace for weight to selection over a pair of weeks and various do drop some pounds with teething or ailment, yet little ones are very resilient and function various fat shops for that reason. as long as they do no longer seem to be dehydrated, look otherwise nicely, and you nonetheless furnish to breastfeed (or formulation) often - they are going to be getting the foodstuff they want. they are going to make up for it as quickly as feeling extra suitable!

Answer 8

I would try giving him a little breast milk and then switching to a bottle of carnation good start supreme. It has the same texture and is used alot by breastfeeding moms that are trying to ween. If you have any questions IM me.

Answer 9

he might get a stomach ach from that formula. It might smell funny to him. You will have to try different brand of formulas, and also the bottle nipple, he might not like. YOu will have to try different nipples. This is a trial and test period for you and your son.

Answer 10

Oh mama. That must be heartbreaking for you.

Check out the breastfeeding forums at www.mothering.com/discussions for information on nursing during pregnancy and gently transitioning a baby over to formula.

Good luck!