Is it really better to give your baby the stage 2 formula than to just give them milk at a year old?

Question

My daughter was a preemie and she is 13 months old now and has been on milk for about a month and half. I am worried she is not getting enough vitamins b/c she is now a very picky eater she doesn't like veggies. So I am wondering if I should give her this stage 2 formula or if it is just a way for the companies to make more money.

Answer 1

The stage 2 formula is just money maker, I wouldnt buy them. As long as your daughter is drinking whole milk and is gaining weight, she should be fine. You can give her Pediasure drinks to give her extra nutrition.

You could make meals with veggies in it and she wont know the difference. Make Pasta Primavera with broccoli, carrots and caulifower. Homemade vegetable soup with pasta in it. Baked spaghetti with diced tomatoes. You can google for recipes like I mentioned above or I can email you my recipes I used for my kids.....

Answer 2

I am not a pediatrician, just an intuitive mom. Here is my opinion. I've also received advertisements some formula companies trying to push stage 2 formula. Formula was created to try to replace the nessessary nutrients found in breastmilk and they still haven't gotten it right. I think they figure most moms between 9 mos and 24 mos are either finished breastfeeding or in the process of weening and those moms tend to want the best nutrition for their child. Why all of a sudden is cow's milk not enough after a year? Does this mean we need to breastfeed for two years?

I have not yet been told by either of my son's doctors (one is 2 1/2 and the other 11 mos and breastfeeding) that they need to be on this formula. As for not getting enough vitamins, I suggest talking to your doc about vitamin suppliments. My older does not eat veggies very well either. But I often fool him by hiding it in casseroles, sauces, mac n cheese etc...I'm not worried because I know he's growing.

Answer 3

I have a little guy in my care who had been in foster care for 9 months. The worst part about them having HAD regular milk is that the supplement has a different texture and they don't like it, no matter what you do. The stage two formula is grainy and tastes a little 'icky.' I have to agree with your last comment in the Q, it is a way for formula companies to keep making money off you.
If she is having a daily poo and still going in her diaper regularly, you have nothing to worry about. Kids don't poo out what they don't get in. She will be OK and she will let you know if she is hungry. Put the veggies in her bowl on the table first and get her to eat a bit of them before going to the next part of the meal. She is just trying to show you that she has likes and preferences. This is a good thing and a natural part of her gaining her own independence. Just don't eliminate the veggies from her diet. Get her to eat a spoon or two, just so that she still has that in her diet and doesn't refuse it all the time.

Answer 4

My son is 13 months aswell and seams to have alot in common with your daughter when it comes to meal time. I give my son stage 2 formula at night. Through the day I give him whole milk. He is a very picky eater. He weighs 21lbs and wont eat alot of things. He loves fruits but not veggies. My pedi said he is healthy and is doing well. So I wouldn't be worried unless she starts loosing weight. I do give my son Vitamins in his whole milk once a day. Just because he doesn't eat well. Maybe you should try that. (Ask your pedi)

Answer 5

You could give her the stage two formula at one meal say breakfast. This way she is still drinking whole milk for the majority of the time and then the formula as a suplement just to make sure she is getting enough vitamins.

Answer 6

Stage 2 formula just sounds like another way for companies to make more money. I'm sure regular whole milk will be just fine for your daughter :)

Answer 7

Her being picky on eating is a stage and remember that you must try the same food 10 or 15 times before she may like it...so be persistant and keep giving her healthy choices..if she is hungry, she will eat it! She is not going to starve herself, so if she has a choice of a banana or being hungry..after a couple hours, she will choice that banana willingly! So don't give up! :) I think vitamin D milk is just fine for your daughter, if she is not losing weight and meeting all her milestones, she is doing just fine :)

Answer 8

I would ask your pediatrician since your child may possible have special dietatry needs.

However, generally sepaking, that stage 2 formula is just another way of formula companies trying to separate us from our money. Whole milk is fine at the age of one assuming that the child is eating plenty of solids.

Answer 9

My son was also a preemie and our pediatrician told me not that this was the time (1-4) to teach him to eat healthy. This is what we did and the Doctor told us that we couldn't do better. We get v8 diet splash, he has 2 cups a day, we never buy apple juice we buy white grape, cranrasperry or crangrape, much more nutritional value. The only pasta in our home is whole wheat and he loved to feed himself with the messy tomato sauce and it is great for them. I make homemade chicken/turkey soup. My son won't eat a vegetable unless it is in soup. He eats carrots, celery, onions, spinach and lima beans in the soup. He would never touch them otherwise. I use brown rice to bulk it up and the doctor told me that if I wanted to feed him that for 2 meals a day it would be great for his health.

Does she like to dip her food? catsup is good for her with chicken nuggets (3 is a meal) and how about yogurt, mine loves to make a mess and eat oranges, any berries and apples with yogurt or graham cracker sticks.

I gave my son 4 ounces of juice when he woke up and then would try oatmeal first then fruit with yogurt to dunk.

The thing is you just need to keep trying and as long as she is growing and developing and over 1 week is eating from all food groups she will be fine. Good luck!

Answer 10

You should always check with your doctor 1st, but whole milk is perfectly fine, unless your child has milk allergies. My daughter is lactose intolerant, but her doctor told me just to give her soy milk or lactose free milk. I think most children are picky when it comes to trying new foods, but if she not getting what she should from eating, Pedia-sure would be a better choice because it's like a meal replacement.