Question about formula transition

Re: Question about formula transition

• Litgirl77 member

  July 2014

  I made the switch by getting him used to a straw cup first (he never did well with a sippy, but the straw clicked because he had had some of those pouch meals and understood how to suck on the straw). I did juice and water mixed to entice him to drink and we practiced during the day with snacks. I cut down the juice and transitioned fully to water as he got more willing to drink out of it.

  
  

  He was on two bottles a day - one first thing in the morning and one before bedtime. Once he had the hang of of , I switched out the morning bottle for a straw cup of formula so the taste was familiar. Then I added milk and changed the ratio of formula/milk every few days (every 3-5 days probably). So first I would do 25%milk/75% formula mixed, then half and half, etc. I did the same with his nighttime bottle, but kept it a bottle until he was used to the morning one. For some reason, morning was the easier one to switch for us because he was hungry first thing. In the evening he was very attached to the bottle…but once he was drinking the morning cup and it was expected, and he was drinking water from the cup at snacks and meals, I just thought, "Hey, let's put his milk in the cup at night." I offered it, and he took right to it. Suddenly, we were off bottles and never look back. 

  
  

  I do recommend doing the ratio thing with milk and formula to transition. That way you can get him off formula and used to the flavor of milk. The bottle thing isn't that urgent. I know doctors want them off, and it is definitely harder to take them away the older they get. But you've got time to do thing gradually. I find that gradual works for us. Some people say go cold turkey and just take them away, but you know your kid - do what you think will work for them and trust your gut. Good luck!

  Married November 2009 ~ Sam is here! (12/26/12)

  
  

  
  

   

  
  

  

  

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• tig594 member

  July 2014

  I put milk in DD's bottle all the time.  Her pedi never said anything about it.  She's 16 months and has only been getting bottles at bedtime until this week.  We're working on getting rid of bottles and pacifiers completely as suggested by her pedi at her 15 month appt.  

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• valeriegp member

  July 2014

  When my son transitioned from breast milk to whole milk at 12mo we just put it in the bottle. He now just uses straws and sippy cups at 19 months, but it was a gradual transition.

  
  

  You might try going to milk in the bottle and then in a cup, if you think it's the cup and not the milk that he doesn't like. I know a lot of people have problems with transitioning, but my son went from breast milk (with occasional formula when I didn't have enough pumped for trips, etc.) to whole milk with no problems. You don't know until you try, and not having to worry about mixing, etc. is a lot easier!

  

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• tig594 member

  July 2014

  theresat858 said:

  After 1, formula or breastmilk aren't necessary...and neither is WCM.  As long as he is getting some fluids (water or milk), how much milk he actually drinks isn't important.  It could just be an adjustment - either to the milk or to the cup (try formula in the cup; try milk in a bottle) or to both. 
  

  Our pedi would disagree.  Dietary fats are important for healthy nerve and brain development.  

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• cozybluebear member

  August 2014

  Taking away formula and his bottle seems like too much change at one time for me. When I transitioned my son, I went from formula in a bottle to milk in a bottle. I gave him a few weeks of milk in a bottle before transitioning to a cup. You know your baby better than anyone. I don't listen to my pediatrician 100%. Heck, the information they preach probably isn't even what they did with their own kids... they just have to go "by the books".

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