Putting Breastfed Baby on Formula

Did you try trying one ounce of formula in a breast milk bottle first? Then slowly increase...

Try to mix the two thats what I did with my son when I just couldn't produce enough milk. Then just put less breast milk as you go but you should start now so she will be used to it by the time you go!

wow...I don't know if it'll work. I've tried and tried to get my 4 month old to take formula so that I can enjoy a night out or have a drink, he refuses over and over again. We had to go to a funeral out of town and I had some pumped milk and some formula. Instead of taking the formula when the breast milk was gone he screamed for 6 hours. Maybe try mixing the formula into some breast milk, and if that doesn't work consider taking baby along.

The truth is - and I can say this after three children, the youngest being 9 weeks, that when they get hungry enough - they will eat. Plain & simple. You need not cater to their taste buds - formula pretty much all tastes the same. Try not to stress about it.

My son refused formula for a while too. He would make a horrible face and try to push the bottle nipple out of his mouth every time I tried to give it to him. I thought it was the nipple he didn't like, so I kept trying different ones. Then, I finally switched formulas. I switched to Similac Advance and he doesn't seem to mind having a bottle now. He prefers being nursed, but it is useful to be able to give him a bottle sometimes. All the formulas taste different. My daughter also prefered Similac formulas over any other kind we tried.

What worked for me was to feed my daughter cereal mixed with breast milk to prepare her for my short trip. My sister fed her this easily and she did drink also.
This way even if she did not drink the bottles as well as I would have liked she received what she needed and returned to breast feeding when I came home

Try renting a hospital grade pump. I used to pump really early in the morning before my daughter would wake up, when I was really very full with milk. When my daughter would wake up and nurse there was more milk for her.
Worst case scenario, they say a baby will eat when they are hungry. So even if she does not like the taste now, she will adjust when you are not there.
Good luck and relax a little (that will help you get more while pumping too.)

Hi B., I am currently nursing my third son and nursed my two older ones. My first two are only 17 months apart and my milk started to dry up when was I got pregnant. In order to take my son the full year of nursing I used to mix his bottles (at the time I worked 3 days per week) with 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 formula. Because he too did not like formula, the addition of the breast milk made it easier for him to take and digest. Try that, this way your baby will still get the benefit of your milk and hopefully take the bottles for his grandparents with no hassles. Good luck!

Is it possible to postpone your trip until she's a little older? She seems too young to be away from you right now. Have you considered bringing a sitter with you so that you can still breastfeed?

Goat's milk formula is harder to find (but can be ordered) and there is controversy around it now, however it is a bit sweeter and simpler than the other formulas. Perhaps she would like it better and it would help keep her nourished while you were away. She could go back to breast when you return.

There are also recipes for making your own formula. Google Weston Price and baby formula. He's a bit extreme but once you read it a few times it seems a little more possible. Some good thoughts at least.

Mostly, I'd say, nurse and pump like crazy!!! Maybe do some herbal support to increase your supply? Sounds weird, but what what about finding a friend with a babe who could nurse yours in a pinch?

Have some one else feed her while you are out of the room or even better out of the house during feeding times. she will not want to have formula sensing that you are near.she can almost "smell" your presence. after a few times she will get used to it.good luck. you didnt say how long you will be gone but you should be able to pump enough if not you can always try Mixing breast milk with formula like 75% to 25% . Enjoy your trip!!

B.,

Try Similac Organic formula, I found it the most comparable to the breast. Also, you may want to try to put a little breast milk in the formula so your baby has the familiar taste.

Hi B.,

We found ourselves in the same exact situation not too long ago. We ended up giving making bottles which were 2 parts breast milk to 1 part formula to start and my son took them. Then we tried 1/2 and 1/2 and that worked and then finally tried a 100% formula bottle. It took about a week to get him to take the 100% formula. We also left as much breast milk as we could and told our son's grandparents to use it at their discretion for those really fussy moments. He ate just fine while we were away.

I hope you are able to pump as much milk as you will need during your trip.

Have you tried pumping for just a few ounces before/during (i.e. pump at opposite breast) nursing your daughter? You might be amazed that just a few ounces at a time really can add up.

Also, since she's four months old, she's just old enough to start supplementing with a little rice cereal or something. If you start now, then she won't need only milk while you're away.

About me: I'm a mom of four: and, by God's grace, I have successfully breastfed each of them!

How long are you going away for? Is this the only reason you are putting her on formula? Seems a bit early to me, but that's just my opinion.

Breast feeding is supply and demand so either you are not pumping enough or breast feeding enough, You didnt say how old the baby was. It seems that you might be best to take her with you. Get in touch with La Leche league.

Have you tried Carnation Goodstart? I had to do the same thing while I was breastfeeding to supplement with formula while I was traveling. The pediatrician recommended it and said it is the closest to breast milk because all the others have allot of iron causeing the smell and taste bad, also doesn't cause constipation because of the iron. I also put one ounce less of breast milk with the formula to lessen the taste. Also remember that with just giving one ounce with the breast milk her feedings will be less often.
It was the best advise the pediatrician gave me, so I started the week before to leave. Good luck...

Have you considered bringing the baby with you? Life is truly short - many moms (and dads) think they will be fine but end up missing babv so much it takes away from the trip.
Or have you considered banked human milk?
~L. Anne

Just keep trying! The biggest mistake parents make is giving up on thing TOO soon....I've seen it with people trying to breastfeed, trying to bottle feed, trying to spoon feed, even with potty training. Be consistent and don't relent! Even if your baby misses a feeding or 2 (she won't starve to death) she will eventually be hungry enough and take the bottle. You are in charge of her, not vice versa. You can make it work, if you don't give in!!! good luck, it's not easy, but it will be worth it for this and other trials that will come your way as you "train up" your child!

I found that when I had to supplement my kids with formula that they liked the carnation good start. It was the most like breast milk and easy for them to digest. Before your trip you can check with Children's hospital or the local LaLeche(SP) group and see if you can get some donated breast milk to supplement with. When I had my 5th baby and had to quit nursing I donated my breast milk to the hospital.IT's something to check into. Good luck!

As many have already mentioned, try mixing the breast milk with the formula. Start with small amounts, such as 1 ounce of each so you don't waste the breast milk in case your son doesn't take the bottle. I always hated when some of my pumped milk went to waste! Also, don't give up. Keep trying as there little bodies take time to adjust. I remember my pediatrician telling me it could take up to two weeks for their bodies to adjust to the formula. So once you get the formula in him, if he seems extra gassy or fussy, don't switch formula's too quickly because then his body will never get used to anything. I was always a Similac fan, but both my boys wound up on Similac Alimentum because of dairy issues. I know a few friends who really like the carnation good start as well. Good luck!

B.- I'm a mother who nursed all 5 of my children until they swere almost 2 yrs. old. One of mychildren (the 1st born)never took a botle.) Then I learned-like others have already said-you have to keep on trying!! If hungry enough-Babys'do EAT!!!!!! From you-she'll probably NEVER take any formula-but from others-she'll eventually do it. I'm also a greater than 20 year veteran RN-I deal with pediatric issues every day. TRUST ME-SHE WILL COME AROUND!! K. W.

I am sure you will get the same response from other moms....the baby may be more likely to take the formula from someone that she doesn't associated the breast with. She might fuss a few times, but hunger will eventually win out. Good luck

she'll be hungry and she'll eat. :) for our daughter, we mixed the breast milk and formula. Half and half. I also used Earth's Best Organic formula. She tried others, but seemed to do well with that. Hope that helps!