I need help trying to get my son to start taking some formula. I have been breastfeeding him and he is on some solids. I work full time, nurse him when we are together and while I am at work am pumping twice a day (was doing three but with solids he is taking less in bottle) . He is teething and not sleeping well and biting me constantly. He also is not doing well at the breast -- too distracted to eat. I am not sleeping, physically exhausted and had my sixth round of mastisis - I definitely need him to take some formula to give myself some kind of break and have my husband take over some. Even if I pump, my breasts still hurt. But everytime i give formula to him, he refuses to drink. We tried several different brands and even tried mixing with the breastmilk. Any and all advice needed. Thanks, desperate, exhausted and need help!
Small steps forward but thanks so much for the advice about mixing. We have been giving him one ounce in the pumped breastmilk bottle for the last two days and he has been taking it! I also have been pumping the last few nights so my husband can give him a bottle right before bed. Hopefully, little by little we will get there. Thanks everyone.
Hi. I am so sorry that you are going through this. Have you tried having someone else give him the formula? Maybe he affiliates breast milk solely with you?
Hi T.,
Go away for the weekend and let dad (and aunt and babysitter etc) take over. Your son won't take formula because you knows you will give in eventually and feed him. He needs to figure out that formula is it from now on and adjust to it - so you gotta give the little guy time. but if he sees you or smells you or you get sad and give in.... then the jig is up!!!!!!
So - next weekend go on an overnight. To a spa. With room service. and get some sleep. You deserve it.
Good luck!
My baby won't take a bottle from me because if he sees me he want to nurse. He likes the flavor of soy formula to the "dairy" one. That might make a difference.
Since your little one is eating solids, maybe his "milk" can include a little cereal. They sometimes respond differently to texture.
Try mixing 1 oz formula (or less) w/ 4-5 oz breastmilk, and slowly up the ratio. I'm sorry this has been so hard for you. 6 rounds of mastitis - yikes!
Trying giving the formula/b.milk mix cold, try giving it warmed. He may prefer the "new" taste at a different temperature. Also, have daddy give the combination bottle as often as possible, and you leave the house. It'll be easier on you than hearing him howl (if that's what's happening), and your hungry son will be much more likely to take this new flavor from daddy than from you (since he knows the good stuff is only a few inches away under your shirt).
Good luck!
I don't have formula advice... but I would really recommend contacting the Le Leche League about the issues on mastitis. Biting is something you can curb in 3 days too... check out past posts about this issue on here and I'm sure you'll find my advice which I know helped 2 Moms on this site.
Getting mastitis so often isn't normal, maybe trying more naturalistic treatment rather than antibiotics will help PREVENT mastitis from occurring. While you are trying to get a few days reprieve (which I can understand - I exclusively breastfed #1 until 8 months as a single Mom and working full time) look into finding the local LLL and I'm sure they would have IBCLC referrals for you too!!
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I know you said you mixed it, but at what concentrate and for how long did you try. Start with about 1/4 formula to 3/4ths breast milk, and keep offering it until he takes it. If he refuses at first don't jump straight to the breast. After he is taking that for a couple of days, go to half and half, and than slowly increase the formula over the next couple of weeks. You can do this same thing when it is time to go from formula to milk.
I had to have surgery when my daughter an 6weeks old. My breastfeeding consulant suggested adding a little sugar to the formula because breast milk is sweet in comparison to formula. SHe also said to make it a little 'thin' meaning use more water than called for.
I think your husband needs to take over now. Let him feed the baby--not you. Try it for a few days. I'd still mix the bmilk with formula for now (maybe half and half ratio) but if he sees/hears/smells YOU, he's going to want to nurse. Get out of the house--even if it's a walk around the block. Good luck, you sound like you've had a rough time.
I had to take a deep breath and a moment after reading the other responses. Please do NOT add sugar to any formula. I have no idea where that breastfeeding consultant was trained, but REALLY? You are in DC and have a great resource at your fingertips. Please contact the DC breastfeeding center. They are on K St. N.W. There are wonderful lactation consultants that can help you. The other thing that might be happening is that your child has some sensitivity to the formula. You did not mention how old your child is. As a doula, I see many mamas who do not get support in helping them to get rest and avoid mastitis.
