Refusing formula (and Pedi's response)

buckyfan30

Ds has been refusing formula more and more the last month.  Lately he has been getting three 4oz bottles and one 8oz before bed.  Now, I am lucky to get him to drink 12oz.   It doesn't matter what bottle, what size nipple, sippy cup, with food, without food. He sees the bottle and yells and wants to get away.

This morning I called the Pedi.  The RN was less than nice about returing my phone call. She said it does not matter how much formula he gets in a day and that he wont let himself get dehydrated.  She kept repeating that he has to stay on  formula for one year (duh..) and that I need to give him sippy cups (he wont drink more than 1-2oz out of anything).   

Is this right?   From reading on here, it seems like the consensous is that he should be getting 16oz a day.

MrsCase1

I don't have a helpful suggestion since Lincoln nurses, but I will say it is crappy she was condescending to you. I would definitely let the doctor know you didn't feel supported by her. He won't know to make a change if nobody tells him. Sorry you didn't get more help. 

buckyfan30

I called my Mom who works in an Urgent Care and those Rn's said I could give DS whole milk if I have to.  Has anyone done this?

betsy538

I would call back and ask reception to speak to your pedi.  The nurse's answer doesn't sound right to me...but what do I know, I'm a FTM.  I know my breast fed DS eats 8 oz at the babysitter's during 8-5 when I'm a work, he nurses before work probably around 3-4 oz and nurses again around 6-6:30 and 8-8:30, he's probably getting less than 4 oz at those nursing sessions, but I'm sure he's taking in over 16 oz a day.

betsy538

I should also tell you, at 9-10 months, my sister wasn't producing enough milk for her DD, she started trying to mix in formula, N wouldn't drink it.  They didn't mix in whole milk because my BIL said no, since they don't recommend dairy until after a year, so N went over two months without getting milk/formula (except when they could mix it into something).  I personally would have started mixing in milk right away when she wouldn't drink the formula, she doesn't like milk now, she's 17 months and they can rarely get her to drink it.  She drinks a lot of juice and water, I just don't think this is right for such a young child. 

SarahPLiz

Just be sure to give him some water too. Maybe he's just ready for the sippy cup, and with more practice he'll get better at getting a good amount out of it.

We are having similar issues with DS, but not to that point yet. I thought he wasn't getting enough so I slowed down his solids. Then we went to the pedi and she said he was getting too much and to up the solids. Now he sleeps better. ANd he'll drink some formula from a sippy, but not unless I put ice in it.  

buckyfan30

betsy538:

I would call back and ask reception to speak to your pedi.  The nurse's answer doesn't sound right to me...but what do I know, I'm a FTM.  I know my breast fed DS eats 8 oz at the babysitter's during 8-5 when I'm a work, he nurses before work probably around 3-4 oz and nurses again around 6-6:30 and 8-8:30, he's probably getting less than 4 oz at those nursing sessions, but I'm sure he's taking in over 16 oz a day.

Thanks, I agree that's not enough.  I said to her, "So, it doesn't matter how much formula he drinks in a day?" and she said "No."  

 

After talking with a few relatives and RN's my Mom works with, and having worked in healthcare for 7+ years.. I'm pissed they talked to me like that.  I think we will try bottles/sippy with half whole milk and half formula.    

gy86

Re: Whole milk -- I have given my baby a bottle of cow's milk in a pinch so she could have something to tide her over; we were out and about and I didn't have formula handy to make a bottle, and really didn't want to listen to her scream for an hour until we got home and I could feed her. 

However, I wouldn't feed it to her in place of formula/breastmilk on a regular basis, for a few reasons -- the first being cow's milk doesn't have all the nutrients, minerals etc a baby requires whereas formula and breastmilk meet an infant's specific needs.  Also, cow's milk is difficult for most humans, especially babies, to digest.  Cow's milk sensitivities are common, even with kids who can do yogurt or cheese.  Supposedly goat's milk is closer in its chemical compounds & structure to human milk and I've known a lot of people who do goat's milk when they're transitioning away from BM or formula. 

Does your son take breastmilk out of a bottle or cup (as in he's refusing all liquids?) or would he drink BM if you found a donor?  I have a friend with oversupply who gives me extra frozen milk, and you can also connect with local moms with milk to share through the organizations Eats on Feets and Human Milk for Human Babies.  Some people are squeamish about milk sharing but if done safely it can be a great option for babies who refuse formula, moms with supply issues, etc.   

In the meantime, I'd say feed him lots of watery solids to make sure he gets enough liquid, especially with the weather warming up.  Like cucumbers, watermelon, pears, tomatoes, etc. 

StefandTodd

Is it possible he's teething?  My LO has had a severely decreased appetite lately (he still nurses, but he gets bottles at DC 3 days/week, and he has decreased from 15 oz/day to around 9-10), and a bunch of moms on my local board shared that their LO's definitely had a decreased appetite in the few days before they cut a tooth.  I'm just hoping that's what it is.  How long has it been going on?  If it's less than a week, I wouldn't be that worried, honestly.  After a week, I might suspect something else and inquire.  Is he eating a lot more solids?  Will he drink water?  Good luck.

betsy538

gy86:

Re: Whole milk -- I have given my baby a bottle of cow's milk in a pinch so she could have something to tide her over; we were out and about and I didn't have formula handy to make a bottle, and really didn't want to listen to her scream for an hour until we got home and I could feed her. 

However, I wouldn't feed it to her in place of formula/breastmilk on a regular basis, for a few reasons -- the first being cow's milk doesn't have all the nutrients, minerals etc a baby requires whereas formula and breastmilk meet an infant's specific needs.  Also, cow's milk is difficult for most humans, especially babies, to digest.  Cow's milk sensitivities are common, even with kids who can do yogurt or cheese.  Supposedly goat's milk is closer in its chemical compounds & structure to human milk and I've known a lot of people who do goat's milk when they're transitioning away from BM or formula. 

 

JMO, I was formula fed, and my parents started us on WCM around 6 months, because that was what was recommended back in the 80's.  I turned out fine as I'm sure everyone else did.  I think if the baby is refusing formula, it's better than feeding water or juice.  I would of course as my Pedi before doing it. 

navybride06

12 ounces would concern me, my DD and even DS would have 28-35 ounces a day, and they are on smaller side still, along with foods.  My kids have fast metabolisms like husband and I.  I know at 1 year along with milk I gave my son Pediasure too.  I would call for another doctor or fake him being sick and get an appointment to be seen. 

buckyfan30

 Thank you for all of the replies, I have read them but I'm really busy today getting things set up for my new job..so I'm going to try and answer some of your questions quickly.

I am not interested in switching DS from his formula to BM.

Yes, he is teething.  The formula refusal has been happening for over a month.  He went from 36oz in 24hrs to 24oz, to 16oz, and now to whatever I can get him to drink.  He literally screams, kicks, and yells when he sees a bottle coming.

He does get water with a small amount of juice (for constipation, per Pedi).  He will drink about 4oz of water throughout the day.

He does get 3 meals per day and a few cheerios.

I did a little test with the Whole Milk just now..

I gave him whole milk in a bottle= wont drink

I gave him formula in a sippy= will drink (small sips, uninterested as usual)

I gave him whole milk in a sippy= will drink (small sips, uninterested as usual)

I'm just thinking he just isn't interested in A)drinking from a bottle and B)drinking any type of formula or milk

So...I'm just going to keep on pushing his formula in a sippy and see what happens.

 

 

 

buckyfan30

Crash Into Me:

You could try messing around with the temperature of the formula in the sippy.  DD won't take warmed BM in a sippy, but she will take it if it's been in the fridge. 

Thanks, I should try that.

ClickMama

I'd ask to speak with the Pedi, the nurses sometimes give less than stellar attention to a question, IME. 

Have you tried a different nipple or bottle?  I know you want to do sippy cup, but wondering if he's got a tooth coming in at the top or something on the roof of his mouth that is bothering him.  have you tried a regular cup?  

I hope he starts drinking more soon!!

buckyfan30

ClickMama:

I'd ask to speak with the Pedi, the nurses sometimes give less than stellar attention to a question, IME. 

Have you tried a different nipple or bottle?  I know you want to do sippy cup, but wondering if he's got a tooth coming in at the top or something on the roof of his mouth that is bothering him.  have you tried a regular cup?  

I hope he starts drinking more soon!!

I'm thinking about even changing Pedi's, this isn't the first time I've gotten not so nice responses.   We have tried different bottles/nipples.   Regular cup.. That's something I havent tried..thank you.

amywalt1684

DD refuses to drink out of anything while I am gone at work all day. She did recently just start taking water in a sippy (small amounts). However, my Mom gave her BM in a cup and she loved it! She drinks out of a cup with help like a champ. Try the cup!?!?

Jelliebean1982

I've done milk in the bottle cap before. It is smaller and easier for DS than a regular cup. Good luck!

NotSharknado

It sounds like a lot of our babies are refusing their bottles these days. Not to the extent of OP. I wonder if it has to do with them trying to balance solids on top of the bm/formula? A phase? Yesterday during the day DD only took 8oz. She's over 20lbs so weight gain isn't an issue. She's teething crazy right now too. Do babies self wean? I feel like DD is self weaning. It never occured to me to give it to her from a cup. She loves drinking water from it so why not formula? I'm going to try that tomorrow.