Trying to Switch to formula...I Need Help!

Hi M.. I would try switching Micah's formula. It sounds like it may be irritating his little belly. I used Costco's formula (Kirkland) for both of my babies after I was done breast feeding them.
Another thing that I suggested to someone else that couldn't get their baby to take the formula from the bottle was is the formula hot enough? From my own experience it takes a little longer to get formula the same temp as breast milk. Maybe you should heat it a little longer. Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes.

:) C.

Hi M.,
I would try Enfamil Gentlease as it is easy to digest for babies and similar to breastmilk. I too had to switch from breast to formula, but my son was younger and had no problem with it. I tried every bottle possible and spent a fortune, and the one that ended up being the best and closest to nipple is Playtex Drop-Ins. I believe they are the best for gas which babies tend to get when on formula. But weather it's GentleEase or not, please start with a formula and that easily digested. My son actually had to end up going to a much more expensive formula which is Enfamil Nutrimigen and it has worked wonders for all of his gas, acid reflux and constipation issues. Let me know how it goes. Good luck and remember that eventually your boys will switch and enjoy. Babies are so adaptable. M.

keep on doing what you're doing with noah...he seems like he'll get the hang of it. for micah, has he gotten used to the bottle yet? he may need to get used to drinking BM from the bottle before he'll even consider drinking formula/bm from the bottle.

i agree with generic formula too. my son was easy to wean (thank GOD), and when i started him on the bottle i would dilute my bm with costco brand formula until he eventually weaned to full formula.

i pray that all goes well.

First of all, you are my hero for breast feeding twins. There is a possibility of my having twins, and I would be determined to do the same, but I know that it's not easy and a lot of people give up- But I keep thinking about the 1600 extra calories (I really like to eat:). Also, I know how hard it is to make the decision to wean off, even just a little. Don't feel bad about it! You breastfed twins for 5 1/2 months!

I would try switching your formula and your bottle until they take it. I had a hard time when I weaned Izzy (she had issues with staying full- at 6 months she still fed every hour, so I started giving her two bottles a day to keep her more satiated, and then she decided she didn't like my boob anymore!). I had Avent bottles and the samples of Similac when I started- turns out she hated both, plus the Similac constipated her like crazy and made life miserable. I tried Good Start and switched to the Playtex drop ins with a latex nipple, which I suspected she would like more for two reasons- the playtex bottle has a wide base, so she could (and did) latch on like she did on the boob, and because she always prefered latex to silicone pacifiers (I would imagine the latex feels more like skin). Kids are fickle. I would suggest the latex Playtex nurser to you (the latex is the brown nipple, not the clear one) since your babies are used to the breast, too. And Izzy did the best with Good Start, then generic formula (Generic is really the best- it's cheaper and just as good. Often it's even made in the same factory as the name brands! I used the Target brand). Good luck!

Your boys are almost 6 mo old and you could always try introducing solids. You could mix rice with breast milk and give it to them in a bottle. Then you could mix rice, with half breast milk, half formula and then switch to rice and formula. The rice might be enough of a "change" and a treat that they might just go for it.

The other thing is, little Micah might not be ready to give up breast milk yet. If Noah can make the switch to formula and Micah isn't ready yet - you could continue to breastfeed Micah and you'd still be reducing your milk production and it might help with the mastitis. Even though they were born at the same time, they may be developing at different rates...You know your little men and their temperments best and you'll make a great decision that's best for you and your boys!

I would try different formula and bottles