My daughter has been on Nutramigen (formula for babies with milk protein allergy) since she was a few months old because she would throw up anything dairy, but I have slowly been introducing dairy products and she loves string cheese and yogurt. However, she is not a fan of milk. Every time I give her a sippy cup with milk she makes a funny face and won't drink it. Sometimes she even throws it! How do get her to transition to milk or should I keep her on the formula??? It would be nice if I didn't have to buy the $35 can of formula all the time.
Do it gradually. Each day add one ounce of milk and one less ounce of Nutramagin. If you do it over time she will get used to the taste slowly. Worked for me. If you have to do it every two days thats fine too, doesn't matter how long it takes just that it is gradual. Good luck!!
.
Hi J.,
Two thoughts:
1.) She can keep having formula. I know it's expensive, but she's probably only have 2 formula drinks a day or so. I don't think it is a huge deal to stay on it. (my three year old still has formula. Shh, don't tell anyone, I get ridiculed from my family enough as it is!)
2.) No milk nor formula. Transition her as others have mentioned, slowly reducing the amount of formula. Depending on how she eats, she may not actually need milk/formula. Of course, talk to your doctor first.
My son was the same way. I found out that what he liked about the formula was the warmth. I prepared it with warm water, and prior to that he was breastfed, which was also warm. So I began warming up his milk on the stove, and then he took it with no problem instead of the formula. Hope this helps!
I second the warm it up suggestion - for us just "not chilled" is enough. About 13 seconds in the microwave works (then shake).
We also didn't do milk til pretty late - about 2 1/4 - because plain milk irritated his stomach (or something similar that made him an irritable mess when he drank it). But it faded by then and we were able to switch. The doctor said that was fine - the only issue with staying on formula is the cost.
She doesn't NEED milk - and there are alternatives. Rice milk, Almond milk etc. She is also getting dairy and calcium. I'd try to warm the milk (whatever kind) and just stop the formula. Best of luck.
If she was getting a formula for milk allergy, perhaps she is allergic to milk. Give her goat milk. You can get it powdered or fresh. I wouldn't make her eat dairy products. Kids don't have to have cow milk to be healthy. One of the main ideas with giving toddlers whole cows milk is for the fat content. So get her fat from other sources... fish oil with dha, or whatever. I would stop the formula at this age.
My 13 month son is also on Nutramigen and when the doctor wanted us to introduce milk he suggested doing 1 ounce of regular milk in his formula with each bottle/cup for 3 days and then increase to 2 oz, etc. until they have only milk. That way they can slowly adjust over several days/weeks. My son was not a big fan of milk either and we stopped because of a continued allergy issue. I think it's funny though because our doc is surprised he liked the Nutramigen in the first place! He said it tastes really nasty! Good luck and just take it one day at a time. If she still won't take whole milk, there are other formulas that provide better nutrition for toddlers.
