Trouble getting baby on formula Need Help

BrideDesi

I am trying to supplement since I am no longer able to pump enough for my 6mo while I am at work. We have tried giving him formula twice and all he does gag then refuse the bottle, if we can het him to try it again he starts gagging to the point of almost vomiting and screams and cries the whole time. He will only be taking the formula two to three times a week while I am at work. My mom and my husband have both tried giving it to him and it is the same thing every time. I don't feel it is a food allergy since he is not even getting a quarter of an ounce in him. I am going to have to stay home from work tomorrow because I was not able to pump enough. Any advice is greatly appreciated. TIA.

ASmallWonder

With rare exception, he won't starve himself.  I wouldn't skip work because of it.  When he realizes nothing but the boattle is being offered to him, he'll drink it.  What would you do if you continually couldn't pump enough?  Quit?  Not likely feasible so trust that he'll get on board even if it's tortuous until he does.

MrsWindyCity

Have you tried mixing it with BM?

BrideDesi

I have not tried mixing it with BM. What would be a good ratio?

MrsWindyCity

I'm always so hesitant to mix, just because formula doesn't have the lasting properties of BM (like, it can't be at room temp for 5 hours or whatever), so anything unused would need to be pitched after about an hour. I would probably start with a ratio of 3:1 BM to formula or something similar, and just try to increase the formula/decrease the BM eventually. I'd start with a small bottle, too, just so you aren't wasting BM if he doesn't take it.

I'm not sure which formula you're using but I feel like I've heard that Gerber Good Start supposedly tastes the closest to BM. 

08summerbride

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I'm not sure which formula you're using but I feel like I've heard that Gerber Good Start supposedly tastes the closest to BM. 

Dd refused enfamil even mixed at a 4:1 ratio with breast milk but took gerber goodstart gentle with no mixing amd no problems at all

ASmallWonder

BrideDesi said:

I have not tried mixing it with BM. What would be a good ratio?

@BrideDesi Don't use the BM in place of the water for the formula.  Mix your formula as usual, just make less of it and the add BM to it to end up with the ounces you want.

spring_time

I would also try mixing.  If you want, you can also slowly start reducing the BM in the ratio and increasing the formula.  Eventually your LO will be able to drink a whole bottle of formula.

PhieryBFly

You can try and find breastmilk donors from the Human Milk 4Human Babies site/fb page if you can't make enough milk and formula isn't working out.

BrideDesi

Thank you for the advice. I bought the Gerber Good Start but he would not take it. I will try a mixture of the two tomorrow.

MrsSewall

My LO is still struggling with a bottle even with BM in it but wwhen formula she would scream!  Now she still hates the bottle but when formula is in it she doesn't turn away.  I have been mixing her rice cereal with formula and she seems to like it!!  Good luck!

pinottoparenthood

How tough! Are things going any better? It's so sad seeing your baby like that. My DS used to hate drinking milk out of bottles and it was so hard to leave him.

BrideDesi

I tried mixing it with no success. I have.no trouble getting him to drink BM out of the bottle but one drop of formula and he has a level ten melt down. 

SLGILL1978

Simalac has some formula in the green lid that is for supplementing breast feeders. When I made the swtich from breast milk to formula I had to try 2-3 different kinds of formula before I found one my daughter liked or wouldn't spit up a lot on. I currently use Similac for fussiness and gas. It's much easier on my little one's tummy. It's the orange lid.

Hmschultz

How are you feeding him? Are you or your husband holding him as you would if you were breast feeding? Try putting him inside a boppy and see if he will take it or if he will take the bottle in a high chair. I have had friends whose babies refused to be held when taking a bottle but would in a boppy or a high chair.