Powdered Formula vs RTF

bundleoffund

Sorry if this was already asked, I tried to do a quick search but couldn't find the same exact issue.  My son is 5 days old and we were asked to supplement due to his weight.  We've been supplementing since Day 2 with Similac Advanced.  He's taken the RTF bottles from the hospital like a champ and was back up to birth weight in no time.

Understanding we will need to continue to supplement until my milk comes in and maybe even beyond that, we purchased the cans of formula due to cost.  We started using the powder at around 4pm last night and by around 10pm he was throwing up the formula.  He has done nothing more than "drool" or "spit up" very small amounts during a feeding and now he's throwing up what seems to be chunky (assuming powder chunks??).

Does anyone have any suggestions?  What am I doing wrong that he is not tolerating the powder but is just fine with the RTF?  We're back to RTF for now, but I'm wonder if I should try a different brand or maybe mix it a different way?

littlemissmarla

My DD is 10w, but we had been using RTF since the hospital, about 4 weeks ago we attempted to switch to powder which resulted in constipation. My Pedi said to keep her on RTF for at least 3-4 months, definitely an expense but i'm following his instructions. I've spent tons of time looking this up and there's not much info out there, but some babies just have a harder time digesting the powder or it could be that the mixing is somehow off. Every doctor will tell you something different and I know there a billions of babies who take powder right from the get go. I guess it's just finding what works for your LO, hope everything works out!

harmonicbabe26

We didn't have those issues but some tips that come to mind - 1. Maybe mix and let it stand for a while so air bubbles break down. 2. Are you giving her more now? Maybe cut the amount a bit. 3. Maybe she's drinking it too fast. Could the current nipple be faster than the hospital one? GL!

AccioKittyCat

We use the ready to feed bottles when we're out of the house and powder when we're home. We use Dr Brown's bottles and mixing pitcher and it mixes formula much faster. Good luck mama!

Edit: we wash and reuse the nipples for the tiny Rtf formula bottles because a box of 8 bottles comes with one nipple, leading me to believe they can be reused.

littlemissmarla

scottysgirl77 said:

Where are you getting the nipples for thr RTF bottles? My week old loves the RTF bottles but we cant find the nipples to continue using them. Can we sterilize the ones we already have and reuse them? Thanks

Stuck in the Gray

RTF is in the larger bottles.. The smaller ones are also ready to feed but I believe they are called nursettes? I could not for the life of me find the nipples, so we ended up going with the little 8oz bottles in the diaper bag and I keep 2 empty bottles in there as well to pour. At home we just used the 32oz RTF bottle.