6 Month Old Refuses Formula

Try making his ceral with formula!!!! That way he'll get it in him. This way you know he's getting the nutirtion from formula. GOOD LUCK.......

At six months old a baby should only be eating solids maybe once or twice a day, and it should only be a few tablespoons of cereal or fruits. He is too young to be eating yogurt and meat and milk. Their digestive systems can not handle this type of food yet. It sounds like you are filling him up too much with food so he is not hungry when you give him formula. He is probably eating as much solids as a 1-year old should eat. Buy the book Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron for some advice. Here is a section from the book: http://www.superbabyfood.com/chapters/Super-Baby-Food_Sta...
Another great website with good advice is www.kellymom.com

It sounds like he may be weaning off of the formula and be ready for more solid food. Did you speak with your pediatrician?

Hi E.,

Your baby is just six months old, the age where starting solids is recommended by the AAP. However, for the first year, their primary source of nutrients that they need is in their milk, whether breastmilk or infant formula. This should be your baby's primary food. An infant cannot get the nutrients that they need from food alone. Food is supposed to be a supplement to their milk. For infants, it is recommended to nurse or give a bottle first, and then top off with solids. Also, water is typically not recommended for infants because it fills them up, and offers absolutely no nutritional value.

Your son is eating an awful lot of food, and again is just at the age where it is recommended to begin solids. He is eating food 4 times a day. I have to say, it sounds like he started solids too soon, is eating too much of a variety of food for this age, and is eating too much and too often. He does not need this much food and is missing out on the nutrition that he needs from his milk. If he refuses formula, I'd take away all the food. He doesn't need food at all and certainly not in the variety and amount you're giving it to him. He needs the milk. But infant formula if you're not breastfeeding, not whole milk. No medical authority would suggest giving a 6 month old whole milk. I would suggest seeking out some advice from a knowledgeable pediatrician about feeding for a six month old.

Infants really need to have formula or breast milk. The concern with providing whole milk before the first birthday is that an infant's intestines are not fully developed and the milk can lead to intestinal bleeding. The bleeding is microscopic and is not noticable but can lead to anemia and developmental delays. Cow's milk is also low in iron and other vitamins and high in protein and sodium. The composition also impacts the absorption of iron leading to further problems with anemia. Keep offering the formula, maybe try a different brand and you could also try a sippy cup or regular cup. Assisting with small sips from a cup is a good way to encourage him to make the transition now instead of later. Good Luck!!!

E.,

I would call the pediatrician. 6 month olds are just supposed to be starting to be introduced to solids. They are not supposed to have whole milk until they are a year for digestive reasons. I also thought the packages of baby yogurt I've seen say they aren't supposed to have that until 9 months old. Does your doctor know all that he is specifically eating? You may be overloading his system and causing havoc on his digestive track. Did you introduce all these types of foods and times at once or did you slowly introduce them?

My third son is just 10 months old and he doesn't even eat 4 times a day and my doctor has said he is eating appropriately at 3 times a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Please see what the doctor specifically says. If you are noticing him doing this around the start of food, I'd say it's related to the food and right now the formula is more important.

Best of luck,
L.

Is the formula heated and the water cold. It may be to hot for him to want warm formula. Try giving it to him cold.

It sounds to me like he's getting full on the food he's eating. My children were breast fed and they were just being introduced to cereal at six months. I can't believe the doctor would encourage or suggest that you feed a 6 month old what you're eating. That shocks me. I definately would not give whole milk (or any milk for that matter) at this time. I think you are feeding him way too much for his age. He doesn't need all that food. THe average weight for a 6 month old is 15lbs. I know all children are different but that is an average. Your son is still 2lbs over the average child.

I don't know if you or your baby's dad are over weight but if you are then you must be extra careful with your son. Here is some information I found on another site.

"Solid feeding

Week 1:
Start with 1 teaspoon of cereal once per day after breast or bottle feed.

Week 2:
Give 2 feeds per day after breast or bottle feed.

Week 3:
Add pureed fruits to the cereal for one feed and the other feed only cereal.

Week 4:
Add pureed vegetables as a third meal per day.

Points to Note for Solid Feeding

Start solids slowly with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time. Increase the amount gradually.

When your child start eating 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time, you can give the solid food at the second feed.

First start with a single food and watch for 4-5 days for any food allergy. Then give second food and watch for any allergy. If you observe any signs of food allergies, consult your doctor.

Give soils after a breastfeed or bottle feed.

Start giving water to your baby. (I disagree w/this)

No meat, chicken or fish before 6 months.
No eggs before 8 months.
No cow milk before 12 months."

So you see it does appear you are feeding your baby too much food. Personally I would drop down to just cereal at his hungriest part of the day. Maybe in the morning and before bed. And give him bottles again. Nothing wrong with going back and cutting these foods out for a while. And note it does say you should give the formula first and solids after so they get the nutrition they need from the formula.

I think you should call the doctor again in my opinion. They NEED that formula for growing and developing and shouldn't be replacing it with water at all, even if he is at a healthy weight. You definitely want to make sure he's getting a good amount of formula daily. My son will be one year old on the 12th and he's still taking almost 30 ounces daily. We were also instructed not to introduce whole milk until he is one year old. And I agree with the other moms, switch pediatricians immediately. I'm no expert, but no 6 month old should be eating what you eat. My son was only eating small amounts of cereal once a day at that age, usually in the a.m.
Lynsey

Hi again E.,

I had to edit my previous response to you because I just read a response stating that your son is over weight. I as a first time mom knows how nerve wracking being a mom is and how worried we can become, so I caution you to not panic. My daughter was 18 pounds at six months and all she ate until 6 months of age -- in fact until almost 7 months of age was breastmilk, so not to worry.

I do agree that you shouldn't let things get out of hand but don't stress about 2 a pound differential between your child and an elusive average. Seek out a new pediatrician and as long as your child is healthy that's all that matters! Good luck again!

Hi E.,

Your problem is similar to mine. My daughter is 7 months and doesn't drink formula. She only has puree and water when she's at the sitter during the day but drinks breastmilk at night. I feel your concern for your son's nutrients as I'm also concerned about my daughter. I don't know much about this stuff as I'm also a new mom but I know it's not a good idea to give whole milk yet. I also have read that introducing meat at 6 months is not a good idea either.

I thinking of new ways to get my daughter to drink formula and just thought of something today...mixing some of the purees with formula. Maybe some banana with formula so the consistency can still be eaten. Hope it works out for you.

-N.

In my opinion you should cut way back on the amount of food you are giving him. That is a lot of food for a baby so young. He is too full on food, and doesn't want the formula. The formula is more important at this stage. That's why everything you read says to give the formula before the meal. Make his meals much smaller, and cut out the meal sized snack in the afternoon. He'll start taking formula again within a couple of days once he realizes that's what he's going to get instead of the food. Also, 6 months is too young for meat. That shouldn't be given until about 10 months. You may also want to consider a new doctor. No good pediatrician would recommend that a 6 month old can eat the same foods you eat.

Try goats milk, closest thing to breastmilk. I never used formula or cows milk. My son started drinking goats milk when he was 11 months old and LOVES it!!

Check with your pediatrician about giving him infant vitamin drops with iron if you are concerned he isn't taking enough formula but not necessarily eatting well either. Good luck.

My almost 7-month old is doing the same thing. We mix her cereal with formula. Formula has iron, as does the cereal (which is important). He is getting other nutrients from the fruits and veggies. Her doctor said it is fine, too. After just eating formula for so long, it is a big switch for us. My daughter takes a bottle right before bed, more of a habit, I think! His gums may hurt because he is teething and sucking on a bottle makes it worse. Plus, with all the new foods he is trying they are much more exciting then formula!

Hi E.,
I would continue to try and get him to take formula because it is fortified with a TON of what he needs... but if you are worried about his nutrition and would like to supplement his diet, Shaklee makes a really great infant vitamin called Vita-Lea Infant Mix... its powder that mixes in to juice, water, or even the cereal or baby food. Actually, I mix it in to my daughters yogurt! Our pediatrician was blown away with how good these vitmins are, and they are all natural. You can check out shaklee.com and order from there, or the website can help you find a distributor in your area... I know someone in Montvale, NJ who is great... not sure how far that is from Port Chester.
Take Care!
T.

What order do you feed him? Bottle then food or food then bottle?

My daughter just turned 8 months. She is turning in to a fussy eater. I wish she was eating as much as your son.
I did have some issues with her not wanted the bottle or not finishing the bottle. She would just play with it. So now I give her the bottle first then the food. My doctor's office also told me to do that order. The formula (or breastmilk) should be their main source of food till they are a year. So this way if they get full they are still getting all of the formula. My daughter would finish the bottle and then all of her food. If you give him the food first, then maybe he is just not hungry when you give him the bottle.
Or maybe try giving him diluted formula. This works with my daughter when she is under the weather. Maybe do 1 scoop for 4 oz of water instead of 2 oz. Worth a try.
Hope that helps.

E.-
I agree with the other moms....6 mos old is way to young to cut out formula. Formula should be the main source of a babies diet. Babies should not be given whole milk until at least 1 year of age. Also, a 6 mos old should not eat what adults eat. We were highly advised not to start meats until 9 mos at the earliest. I hope this helps.

J.
PS. I also think you may want to get a second opinion from a different ped. office.

honestly, not to sound mean, but i think you need to find a new doctor. please do research yourself. at 6 months old, babies are supposed to be just starting on solids regularly.

as for the milk, you are supposed to wait until a baby is one year old. the main concern is that milk can interfere with the babys absorption of iron and cause anemia which is very serious. and there also are the issues with the vitamins, minerals, and fat/calorie content. the main thing is that formula companies are accountable and have to make sure there product has been proven to provide infants with the correct nutritional amounts.
now why he isnt eating would be you are filling him with the solids. the problem with that is in the first year, the baby is suppose to be getting his nutrition from breastmilk or formula. solids arent supposed to replace that, rather are just suppose to be getting the baby used to textures and flavors. my first daughter at the same weight didnt have solids until 6 months and then it was rice cereal 3 days, oatmeal cereal 3 days, mixed cereal 3 days, bananas 3 days, ect. to get each food used to and watch for allergies. your baby is eating more solids than i think i fed her at 1 year 24 lbs. there just isnt anymore room in his stomach.

have you tried giving him the formula first?

i would be quite concerned of exposing him to so many different foods and dairy products at such a young age. his digestive system may have problems with it as well. allergies and obesity are also linked to starting solids too young.

heres something just to explain about anemia, good luck.

"Dr. Pearson found that the earlier the introduction of cow's milk, the more severe the anemia. For example, a six-month-old switching over to whole milk has a much larger risk of severe anemia compared to a one-year-old making the same switch. Again, the younger child just hasn't developed the intestinal maturity to handle the whole milk protein.

What Parents Should Know
What makes cow's milk formula different from just regular whole cow's milk? For one, it is specially heat treated, which denatures its protein slightly. This makes the protein, which might normally be irritating to some infant tummies, much more tolerable—and therefore more generally nutritious. It is also iron fortified. This small boost of iron is critical in repleting an infant's iron stores, which rapidly decrease after birth due to multiple factors, including decreased infant production of new red blood cells and increased turnover of red cells in the infant body. And unlike some of the rumors you've heard, it is not nearly enough iron to cause symptoms such as constipation. "