Formula Strike!!!!

Sclines2595

LO refuses to drink his formula.  He was doing great with 6 6-oz bottles per day.  He was sick with RSV for the past week and is finally over that -- but didn't have much of an appetite.  He's been better for three days now.  Starting yesterday -- he just would not hardly eat any of his bottles.  He would maybe do 3-4 ounces then push it away and would refuse any more.  Today -- same thing. He only ate 4 ounces this morning -- and the babysitter just texted me and said that he only ate 2 oz this time.  He is eating regular meals and food throughout the day as well.  What do I do now?  Obviously I will talk with my pedi -- but do I start transitioning him to whole milk?  He will be 11 months old next week - so I know that at 12 months they typically go off formula anyway-----so do I just switch him over early??? This was so easy for the past 11 months haha!

BabyNewbury2012

I would call your pedi to ask for his/her opinion. I know my mom told me that I had a bad flu when I was 10 months old and would not go back to the bottle so she had to switch me over and I also have a couple friends who this has happened too at 10-11 months so its not an uncommon thing. But with that being said I know they strongly recommend 12 months...

Did you try putting the formula in a sippy cup?

SteelCity44

Is he possibly teething? Micah won't drink as much when he's teething. I also agree that you should try the sippy cup. We've introduced WCM, but we're nowhere near replacing BM with it. Remember, WCM doesn't replace formula. Food replaces formula. WCM is a suppliment and drink. Make sure you're offering at least water in a sippy to prevent dehydration, but he'll be fine with the decreased formula for a little while until you figure it out.

ETA: And make sure if you do replace it with WCM that you're not replacing ounce for ounce. They shouldn't get more than 24oz of WCM in a day, definitely not 36!

Sclines2595

He is teething!  His two front bottom teeth are all the way through, left top tooth 1/2 way through and his top right front is trying to poke through the surface.  He's never been a big fan of formula to begin with but LOVES regular food (though we are still stuck on doing mostly purees).  I've given him a few finger foods, Puffs, baby cheetos, soft apples.  But get nervous about other foods because things I've tried...he gags and chokes. 

We go back to the pediatrician on Thursday for a follow up re: Ear Infections and RSV, so I will talk with the pedi at that time about introducing wcm

Cheerio B

I would wonder about teething or an ear infection. But it might just be a phase. DS has gone on big bottle strikes twice so far and still has days when he refuses to drink anything. It's super frustrating.

MegSowers

Can you follow up with us about what the Dr. says? LO has been eating poorly all year (2013) but has been sick with an ear infection, wheezing, hospital for neurovirus, back to back to back colds. She'll only take 3 oz at a time, so we've added about an once of formula into her oatmeal, and increased bottles to every 3 or 4 hours. I've heard from April mamas that it hurts to suck when teething (we still have no teeth). maybe try a bigger nipple or sippy cup like others suggest.