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 months of age, and I am getting tired of pumping 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!

[jana224]

Hi there,
My baby had a similar issue and only accepted formula  - on the rare occasion that she got it - after solids had been well introduced and she was accustomed to a variety of flavours. 

In the mornings when you are pumping, do you pump while feeding her?  That may help you get more faster.

Jana

[Jocasta]

I hate to say this (*armouring up* ) but some babies just don't like formula  I donated breast milk until Mae was 9.5 months old so I know exactly how much of a drag that pumping can be.  Have you tasted formula and breast milk?  I know which one I'd chug down if given the choice (based purely on flavour here - not some strange kinky obsession with breast milk haha ).

I guess it's human nature to hold out for what we prefer when there's usually a choice.  I haven't been any help at all have I?

Jana's suggestion of pumping WHILE feeding is a great one as it utilises the bio chemistry of the nursling/nurser relationship

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

You can giving her a little formula at a time added to EBM.  So if she's getting 6 oz in a bottle, give 5 oz of EBM to 1 oz formula and slowly increase the amount of formula until she's getting full formula.

[riuliani]

Here is our experience.  It took us a long time to get DD to accept formula.  She was the same about vomiting after the first several times we tried to introduce it.  My understanding from the doctor is that it isn't an intolerance to the formula itself.  It is just the change up between BM and formula that throws them off.  It takes a while for their tummies to learn how to digest this different kind of milk.  So I wouldn't switch brands just yet.  We had to do what PP said.  I expressed milk and added a small amount of formula.  Over a few weeks we adjusted it until she is now able to tolerate a full bottle of formula.  All of that being said my DD can't stand a bottle, so even though she will drink formula she generally refuses the bottle regardless.  She has to be in just the right mood to take a bottle even if it is breastmilk.  Now that we are on solids she is becoming more accomodating to the bottle.  This means 2 or 3 bottles a week.  Doesn't sound like much but it is a HUGE step for us.

[Jocasta]

Great suggestion from Anne  

If you are going to combine formula and breast milk in a bottle, you either need to make up the formula first and add the ebm or mix the formula in a separate bottle as EBM shouldn't be shaken - it breaks down the long chain fatty acids and often results in "separation" (makes it look a little curdled).

This is unless you use ready made formula of course

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

Thanks Jo

[riuliani]

Don't forget to warm up the formula.  IF LO is used to breastmilk then they are used to a very warm drink.  When you add the formula you may cool it down and it just gives them another reason to refuse it.

[*Liz*]

I'm doing the whole dilution thing also - its taken a few weeks but ds is now taking a 50:50 mix of EBM and formula from a bottle and is still happy to feed off me. I started off on with just one once of formula and the rest BM.

Now he seems to have got used to the idea that bottles and mummy just taste different. Which I'm pleased about really - at least I have the nice sweet milk!