Can Not Get Baby to Take Formula

I think you've gotten great responses so far. Mixing the two until he gradually gets used to it is probably easiest.

But, I wanted to say that going back to work doesn't mean you HAVE to stop breastfeeding. By law employers are required to give you a place and time to pump for your baby. Don't give up. Breastfeeding is one of the best things we can do for our little ones for so many reasons. Any employer worth working for will make accomodations for you. If they aren't, you don't want to work there. What happens when one of your kids is sick? Daycare won't take them and that means time off for you. Take your time and look for a family friendly company to work for. You won't be sorry if you do.
Also, remember that nursing your baby in the mornings and evenings is the perfect way to stay connected and close once you are working out of the home.

Good luck with everything! This mom job sure is a lot of work, isn't it? :)

Your son is too young for pediasure... he really needs the nutrients that only formula or breast milk can supply.

In my experience with my own children and my nieces and nephews I have cared for, some babies just won't take it until they have to. Try leaving him with your husband for an entire day, and he'll take one by the end of the day. By the next day, he won't protest unless he feels the breast is an alternative. He will probably go on a feeding strike and refuse to take it, but after a couple hours of that, he will get hungry enough to drink it. A baby will not starve himself.

If you feel like a slower more gradual approach would work better for your family, then start diluting bottles of breast milk with a little bit of formula. Gradually increase the amount of formula in the bottle, and gradually decrease the amount of breast milk.

Have you tried doing half breast/half formular for a week or so, then slowly takign out more and more of the breast milk? Worked for me. Good luck!

Have you tried different brands? The premix vs powder. My daughter also did not care for formula when she weened herself at 6 months. I tried about 4 differnt brands till I found one that she would drink. It ended up being a soyed based formula.
Good luck

Hi T.,
Try goats milk. You can buy it in a store, depending on where you live, or perhaps a goat person living in your area. Goat milk is close to human milk in perfect protein ratios. Our "kids" are similar in size. I know many children who grew and excelled in life who drank goats milk from 3-4 weeks old on up. Good luck to you, it'll work out. Best, M. M.

Hi T.!!

Try mixing pumped breast milk and formula. Start with mostly breast milk and add a little more formula each day. Watch to see how the baby handles the formula. some formula may upset his system. You might have to try differnt kinds. But if you slowly increase the amount of formula he shouldn't fight the change. Make sure to keep the temperature the same. Mine always liked their bottles warmed up.
Good luck,
MM

When I transitioned from breast feeding to formula, I found it was best to mix them together. I gradually increased the amount of formula in the mix until it was all formula, and he didn't seem to mind.

Is Pedia-sure sweetened? I'm not sure I would try it at that young if it is. It could bias him toward other sweet foods.

Try goat's milk. It mimicks human milk better than cow's and kids like it. If your child likes it, try mixing it with formula.

How long will you have to leave him? Is it all day? Also, is he doing solids at all? Maybe the day care can give him solids and water and he can make up on the nursing when you get back to him if it's not for the whole day.

Good luck with everything!

S.

Have you tried using breast milk with a little formula mixed in? Over time increase the amount of formula and decrease the amount of breast milk. For example, start with 4 oz breast milk, 2 oz formula for two or so days. then do a 1/2 and 1/2 bottle and then gradually phase out the breast milk.

I guess the first answer to your question is a question. Does he drink from a bottle yet? If you've already gotten him to take breast milk from a bottle, then I suggest putting a very small amount of formula in with the breast milk. Increase the amount of formula a little bit each time. If he starts noticing the taste and refuses it, then fall back to the last amount that he would take and give him a day or so to tolerate that, then go back to slowly increasing the formula. You should be able to slowly switch from breast milk to formula. Also, try different formulas. They do taste different. And I have friends who have had really good luck with powdered goat milk. And your pediatrician should be able to offer some advice. If thats to much hastle, call your local WIC office (if you have them in your area). They always have great advice. I don't think pediasure is enough until 1 year. And I think (don't quote me) it has a good amount of sugar in it, which you don't want baby to get too use to.

I hope this helps. Good luck...especially with 3 boys!

Start mixing expressed breast milk with the formula. more breast milk to formula ratio at first then ease it down so that eventually you are giving him strait formula. it may take a while but he will get use to it. good luck :)