Having to Supplement, Not Sure If 11 Month Old Will Accept Formula

I had to supplement with formula starting in September, my son was about 8 1/2 months old. I had some samples of regular Enfamil and Similac that I had gotten in the mail during my pregnancy. He flat out refused the formula. I tried to mix it with breast milk, (and I hated to because I only was able to pump a small amount) and he refused that. Then the doctors office gave me samples of Enfamil ProSoBee and he drank that all down with no problem. The doctor said that the soy based formula is closer to breast milk than the regular milk based formula. So my advice to you is whatever brand you are using-see if they have a soy based formula, and try that. GOod luck!

How many bottles is she taking? Is she using a sippy cup during meals?

I think she'll take formula when she's thirsty enough. She may go on a mini strike, but eventually she'll take it! You may want to try to introduce it in a sippy cup during meals, or with a cup and straw. Formula is sweet, so many babies like the taste. (Even though it smells so gross to us!) If she gets used to formula in another container, she may be less inclined to refuse it from a bottle after that.

Just an idea! If worse comes to worse, you can always introduce milk/soy milk/etc. a little early. My son started getting organic cow's milk at 11 months. Not ideal, but he's been just fine! You can also give her a sippy cup of kefir or drinkable yogurt now, for one of her "bottle" times. Healthy and yummy!

I just had this conversation with my daughter's pediatrician yesterday. He said that there is no need for a breastfed baby at this age to transition to formula and then to milk and is old enough to try milk directly. He's found that they like the taste and the transition is seemless. I was also using formula in her cerial and one bottle a day but am now trying organic milk. Check in with your pediatrician for feedback and congratulations for nursing for so long. It is the greatest gift. Good luck.

I have been just where you are now. My son refused the Wegman's brand formula which is half the price of the Similac or Enfamil, when I introduced formula after the breastmilk was gone. The teachers at daycare suggested I stick with the Wegman's brand and said he would get used to it. Sure enough, after a short strike, he guzzled it just like name brands or breastmilk. He also went on strike when we weaned him from bottles to sippy cups, and then again when we introduced milk. It was 3-4 days each time and then all was normal.

Have you tried modifying the temperature? Some babies do great with refrigerated formula, and some (like my 10 month old) want it practically undrinkably hot. In fact, my daughter wants anything that comes from a sippy cup to be cold, and anything from a bottle to be hot. Go figure! We just had to switch her to soy formula to check for a dairy allergy, and I think the soy smells sweeter than the dairy. Maybe you could try that?

Once your daughter is completely weaned from breastmilk to formula (or milk/soy/whatever you decide), she won't have a choice but to drink what you offer her. So maybe you should just finish off the breastmilk and then do formula, instead of trying to couple it? Good luck!