CAN BABIES GO OFF THE TASTE OF FORMULA MILK?

[R TULLOCH]

My daughter is 7 months and used to knock back 1000 ml of formula per day on top of her solids!! (she is a big lass) But recently she doesnt seem interested in her milk - but will happily drink water - I am wondering if she has gone off the taste since her taste buds must be developing with her solid feeds, what do you think? Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do?
I am concerned because obviously her formula has all the vitamins and calcium she needs.

[* Paula *]

Hi there,

We have had this problem on numerous ocasions.  Most of the time it is down to teething - When my DS is teething badly he will refuse his milk, but drink his water / juice no matter what way it comes. 

Do you think your lo could be teething?  If so have you tried rubbing teething gel on her gums before a feed to see if this makes a difference.

I always used to think that my DS did not like his formula as he went through phases like that all the time and even went 5 days without touching a bottle.  But as soon as his gums eased off again, he was back to chugging down his milk.

HTH.

Paula x

[R TULLOCH]

Thanks for replying

She has been teething - and its been on and off for a while now and still not teeth, its very baffling that she will have water but not milk............................wonder why??

Today for example I prepared her milk and a bottle of water, I gave her her milk and she refused to have it - gave her her water and she chugged it down like it was the best thing ever.

Problem is water doesnt have calcium and vitamins in!

We tried her with yoghurt recently to try to get some extra calcium in - she held it in her mouth and then let it all dribble out and then started gargling with it

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[* Paula *]

I know exactly what you are saying - Our DS would drink his water and juice out of a bottle when he was teething, but still refused his formula.  I think it is cause the formula is a lot thicker, and they have to suck harder to get it out.  That is my guess.

When our DS was refusing his bottles, we used to give him a dreamfeed when he was asleep, just to get those extra calories in him.

How is she with her cereal?  You could try getting extra formula in there, and perhaps offering her cereal twice a day, to get those extra oz in.

I know how hard and worrying it can be, but all I can suggest is just keep on offering it to her at your usual times, and she will eventually start taking it again.

Sending you loads of hugs.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

Paula x