This has been going on for about 3 weeks now, our baby will be 9 months at the end of this month. The problem we are having is he will not drink his bottles! He takes a swallow or 2 and pushed it away, he will drink water and juice but when it comes to formula its a no go. We took him to the Dr. to see if it was an ear infection or anything else and thankfully no, but that doesn't help us figure out how to feed this kid! We have also tried giving him his formula in a sippy cup and he pushed it away too.
thanks for all the great advice gals! Yes we are allowed per the Dr. to give him juice, watered down but juice. We are actually due to go to the Dr tomorrow for his 9 mo check so I will run some of these ideas by him. I really appreciate it!!!! And I will let you know what he says.
Stop all other liquids. you an't blame him, formula is pretty gross tasting and bland. Compare it to juice, you'd hold out for juice as well. But he still gets everything he needs nutritionally from the formula so you need to give him nothing but formula until he goes back to drinking it. I'd stop solids as well. He won't starve himself, he'll give in.
Maybe, he doesn't like the taste of formula? Does he have milk problems? Honestly...a 9 month old shouldn't be drinking juice. I've never heard of a pediatrician advising juice, that young. I'm not trying to harp on you...I'm really not. Just thought I would pass that a long.
Both of our kids threw their bottles on the floor at nine months and refused to have a drop more. We think maybe the taste buds develop then? Two different pediatricians reassured us they'd be fine with just baby food (which we obviously increased with no formula intake). We added water to the baby food to get more fluids. We were told NOT to introduce milk yet. Nine months seems young for juice, but I don't know the current guidelines.
I would ask the doctor specifically about what to do if your child won't take a bottle anymore just to get that confirmation like we did that all is fine with just baby food.
At 9 months he still needs the formula. They just can't get enough nutrition from baby food. I've never heard of a doctor taking a baby off formula before a year. Just keep offering it to him. What kind of sippy are you using? Maybe try a different type of cup. I would cut back on the other liquids as well. There's no reason for a baby to have juice or water.
The problem may be that he no linger likes the taste and/or possibly the smell of the formula. I suggest talking to the pediatrician about what your options might be.Is there another formula or can he be switched to whole milk now etc? Does he eat cereal with his formula on it? Sometimes children just resist the taste all together.
I guess the most obvious thing that comes to mind would be to change the formula since he is drinking water and juice. However that may not be the problem. How about the temp? Have you tried to give him his formula REALLY COLD like you do the juice? If that doesnt work, I would thin the formula out until he gets used it. a little nutrition is better than none. however done stress out too much about it. at 9 months, although he NEEDS the formula for nutrition, he is getting alot of nutrition with the table/baby food. You should try to mix the formula in with the baby food. I would get him on some vitamins too just to make sure.
Good luck
he might have developed an allergy to his forumula try soy formula
He is learning to tell you what he likes and doesn't like. He has had a taste of sweet juice/water. Have you tasted formula? Yuck! If I could choose, it would be juice, too. lol If you don't want to take the juice/water away from him all together, then maybe try to add some juice to the formula? That way it flavors it some? Or as a healthier option, make a "smoothie" with the formula. Add some fruit and stick it in the blender. You may need to add a touch of water for the right consistency. Just get creative. Then, when he is a year old, you won't have to worry about it anymore and can just switch to milk, etc.
Also, maybe take him to the store and let him pick out a sippy/bottle. Then, make that an only formula bottle? Just another idea to try. He is starting to want choices at this age and sometimes they really do help with "power struggles". ;)
Since I never gave either of my boys formula, I'm not sure of the answer here...I know you can wean off breastmilk at any time..does he HAVE to have formula? Does he eat solids? Can you mix it in cereal or mash other food with it? Maybe call the ped and see if you can go to cow's milk early? Good luck!! Oh and also yogurt is a good thing for them too!
