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Babies: 3 - 6 Months
weebos8
member
Getting a BF baby to take formula?
weebos8
member
First off, I forgot to mention, Auden has been cleared and does not have CF, yay!
But since he still has weight issues, the doctor would love if he could take a bottle of formula or BM. I have been trying to pump more, but I do not respond well to it; I might only get an ounce and obviously we want him to get more.
Anyways, he WILL NOT take a bottle of formula. I have tried several different kinds, mixed with BM, in oatmeal/rice cereal and he hates it. He makes a face like I am poisoning him! I just didn't know if y'all had any tricks that could help.
TIA!
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Re: Getting a BF baby to take formula?
It may not really help, because you mentioned that you already tried it, and that you aren't pumping a lot yet, but I had to mix the formula into breast milk. But, I had to start with mostly breast milk and maybe an ounce or two of formula. Then over time I would just increase the formula and decrease the breast milk.
Also, have you tried different temps? We used to warm the bottles a bit under running water and that seemed to help at first. Now, she takes them straight from the fridge.
Just keep at it! My baby nearly refused a bottle from me when we had to switch over (also weight issues) even when it was just breast milk and even though she had previously taken them from my husband on occasion. Maybe he just needs to get used to you giving him a bottle? I have to say, it was a rough transition for us, but it was all worth it because she is much happier now that she is eating enough and it isn't hurting her tummy (we use Nutramigen)
By the way, yay for a healthy baby that is cleared of CF!!
Try the first feeding of the day, when he's good and hungry!
Worked for me when I had to switch.
Or I know people who have started with the last feeding of the day because they're too tired to care.
A big one for us is the peeeerfect temp as PP said. Our LO likes it way warmer than I would expect my breastmilk is. This is how we prepare it.
Since BM separates in the fridge and it takes forever to go back into the milk, I take it out of the fridge about an hour before we're ready to feed. Then I make 2 ounces of formula in a little bottle (like a storage size) and mix it up really, really good. Then I add it to the breastmilk and heat in the bottle warmer. I then again mix it well (I know they say not to shake breastmilk (or maybe I made that up) but it needs to be mixed really well.
As PP said, I started with 1 ounce of formula to 3 of BM and then gradually increased it. It got much, much better. He has yet to take straight formula, but he is still getting about 60-80% breastmilk so it has worked ok for us. I always make sure I pump that feeding to try and keep my supply up and then it gives me milk for the next feeding. So even though my supply has gone down a lot, I am making plenty.
Good luck, I promise it gets better!
I was going to say last feeding of the day works for us. DS doesn't care if its BM or formula, but he does fight the bottle sometimes, but at bedtime he prefers it because he is tired and its quicker. Or, if Auden is still waking at night, I'd try a night feeding because then he will be goood and tired. GL! So glad to hear he has been cleared for CF!!