Introducing formula to a EBF baby?

[peachespoe]

So my DH gives my DD a bottle first thing in the morning (around 6 or 7 am) and has done so since she was about four weeks old. The mornings are their special bonding time since he doesn't get home until 8 PM from work and I get to sleep a little later. I pump every morning so he can do this for me and its been a huge help. Thea is closing to five mnths of age, and I am getting tired of puming everymorning. Sometimes, I don't get quite enough milk and have to finish later in the day. I was hoping to replace that bottle with a bottle of formula just to give me a break from now on. DH tried it this morning and she refused the formula. He ended up using BM. We used the Nutramigen Lipil since we suspect she is a little dairy intolerant. (We did try a soy formula a while back and she vomitted for 4 hours from it).

Anyone have any tips on getting her used to the taste of formula? She takes a bottle fine.
Thanks!

[bennysmama]

Hi,

Here's what worked for us:

*used a formula that reputedly tastes very similar to BM (I appreciate this might be tricky for you because of DD's lactose intolerance -- so maybe you could dilute with BM to start with instead and gradually increase the ratio of formula to BM?)

*warmed up the teat on the bottle under running water to make it and the formula a little more appealing

*DH stripped to the waist to let DS get skin-to-skin contact (I have a hunch this is what helped most . 

*started on the second feed of the day, so DS had already eaten and was nice and relaxed


Good luck!!

[hjrmom01]

we had to switch DS over to Nutramigen at 4.5 months and he wouldn't take the formula so our Ped. had us mix the EMB with the formula.  At first it was 1 oz Nutramigen (we made 2 oz and stored the other oz...our can says it is safe in the fridge for 24 hours) to 3 oz of EBM. After a few days we did 2 oz Nutramigen to 2 oz EBM, then 3 oz Nutramigen (made 4 oz and stored 1 or made 6 and stored the 3 for the next feed) and 1 oz EBM, then we were fully on Nutramigen after that.  HTH!  Good luck!  Oh, and like PP said, we warmed the nipple and formula, too.

[* Paula *]

I agree with previous posters, I would mix the formula with BM oz by oz, and up the oz's of formula every three days to see how your lo does.

Good luck and keep us posted on how you get on.