6 months old hates formula and no more breastmilk...now what?

Question

Hi! Our baby girl is 6 months old. I was exclusively pumping for her from the beginning (because of latch on problems). Now I am pregnant again and because of my severe nausea I don't have enough breastmilk anymore. I can express about 2 bottles worth a day the most, but even this is going away. The problem is that she hates formula and she does not want to drink it! She wasn't really introduced to solids until now (she got some cereals, few bites of banana puree/mashed potato) but only a few bites and it's new for her as well. I am a bit frustrated and don't really know what to do. I know she needs breastmilk/formula for about 6 more months but what if she completely refuses formula? I can't just start to feed her with solids from one day to another all the time! What should I do ?
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

What kind of pump have you been using? A good double electric type pump?

Can you rent a different pump for a week or two? Sometimes going to a rental pump for a short time can help a mom who is exclusively pumping rebuild her supply. Call your hospital, your Lactation Consultant or your LLL Leader for info on getting a rental pump.

Have you tried herbal supplements such as fenugreek? This is a herb that lots of mothers have good results with. Typical dosage is 3-4 capsules 3x per day. Read the link below and check for counter-indications to taking fenugreek.

How often and how long do you pump? Have you checked out all the pump parts to make sure the seals are still good? Sometimes a part, like the little white flaps in the Medela PIS, will get worn out and the suction won't be as good.

When you are pumping and the flow slows or stops, take the horns off and reposition them slightly. Sometimes this will allow you to get a second letdown and empty different milk ducts.

Answer 2

You absolutely can not have her eat enough soilds to not eat formula/breastmilk. Here are some ideas:

Talk to an LC or LLL leader about the safety of herbs to increase your supply, I do not know which/if they are safe during pregnancy. (And any other advice they may have)

Make sure you drink enough water, dehydration can cause low supply.

Try giving the formula in a cup/sippy cup. She may like it better if she is doing it herself.

Try getting goats milk formula, I have heard Walmart in the US is carrying it now. One brand is www.meyenberg.com

Try getting someone else to give her the formula.

I assume you have tried different brands, but note I have heard hypoallergenic formula is worse tasting, so try the normal kind.

You could maybe try flavouring it with some baby food, by ask a doctor first. I don't know if this is a good idea.

I doubt she will starve herself, but, you can buy milk from a milk bank but it is expensive and you need a prescription. Hopefully if she will eat if she is hungry enough.

Answer 3

Have you tried other brands of formula? I believe there are a few different ones on the market that are specially formulated to be milder and closer to breastmilk. Try getting a single can of a different formula and see if she will drink it. Also if you add the formula to her cereal and introduce it that way she may be more receptive to it in a bottle once she gets used to the new taste.

Answer 4

I'd try a different formula within the same family. E.g. if you've been using Enfamil, then try Lacto Free or GentleEase Lipil (see link below). And don't give up on your breast milk until you talk to both your Pediatrician and your Ob/Gyn. There may be hope yet. Have a look at the La Leche League link below about breastfeeding with an infant.

Answer 5

Have you tried a different formula? Mabe its just the taste of the one brand you got. In my opinion, I thought the Baby's One Organic Soy formula smelled pretty good. This brand labels there stuff as toddler formula only because they would like you to breast feed for the first year. You can also print out the nutrition information from there website. I don't remember the website, but just do a Google Search on it. Good luck to you.

Answer 6

For starters, try using a soy-based or lactose-free formula. It's possible your daughter is lactose intolerance, especially given your latch-on problems at the beginning. At any rate, it doesn't hurt to try.

Also, try starting with the "Ready to Pour" formula rather than powdered formula. Powdered formula doesn't seem to mix as well; my own son prefers "Ready Pour" for that very reason.

Mixing formula with your breast milk is a great way to get baby used to the taste. It shouldn't take more than a couple of days for her to accept it. If you need to pump during that time, try eating a couple of bowls of oatmeal (or oat cereal, like Cheerios) to temporarily increase your supply.

Answer 7

Try Similac Ready to Use Formula. It is the closest to breastmilk. Put a little bit of apple sause and teaspoon of Pablum in it. My child was also fussy and this worked like a charm.

Answer 8

my son hated formula and solids too...i just kept trying. He started accepting solids after about a month of trying every day. He really liked applesause and gerber rice cereal. He started accepting formula when he was really hungry and realized he wasnt getting anything else. My advice is just to keep trying multiple times a day....they will eventually get used to it.

Answer 9

Have you tried mixing breastmilk with the formula until you get her adjusted to the formula? Maybe you should try a different formula.

Answer 10

i might only decrease out the toddler meals. Jared toddler meals has little energy or supplementations. appropriate now all he desires is his formulation. I additionally recommend attempting to wake him up as quickly as a evening to get in a feeding. although, my 2 12 months previous weighed 26lbs and he or she replace into breastfed - my well being care provider suggested she replace into established. We all started living house made purees at 6 months. 15lbs is a superb weight for 6 months. i might change docs - Pediasure is for infants one million years+ and much less advantageous then formulation. do not hassle approximately it - attempt your terrific yet he sounds like a extraordinarily established weight to me. some docs look to choose extensive babies. I agree 20lbs is the traditional for a 12 months.