Category: Parent Talk
Hi all,
So my daughter is almost 9 months, and has been on formula since she was 3 weeks old.
I have had no problems with her or her formula, but then around a week ago, seemingly over night, she went from drinking close to 4 bottles a day, to not even half a bottle.
I've tried it warm, I've tried it cold, I've tried it in a sippy cup, a normal cup...she just refuses to drink more than amouthful or 2.
She will drink juice, but nothing else.
Any ideas what I should do? I thought she was a bit young to completely take her off her milk, but I don't know what to do; she just won't drink it. She is eating food with no problems, and like I said, she will drink juice.
Any tips or suggestions or thoughts are appreciated
probably stomach upset? if she is refusing it for one day it's ok. if she's refusing it for more than a day, you better consult a doctor.
Raaj.
firstly, I would say that four bottles at nine months is quite a lot, although not excessive, but certainly within the relms of being able to cut back without too much issue.
Secondly what's her eating like generally? if she generally eats well then you can use this to your advantage and incorporate the lost milk into her diet. While it's recommended that a baby drink formula until twelve months the reality is that you can't force her to do that, so in that instance you have to find other ways of getting those nutrients into her. So lots of dairy products in her diet, milk/cheese/yoghurt with plenty of iron-rich foods such as broccoli. Also if she's drinking less milk then she may be hungrier and inclined to eat more. I would still offer the bottles or even a cup that she can hold herself, esp first thing in the morning and last thing at night, it could be as raaj says she has a bug which has put her off her milk, and this may pass.
And if not, once she gets closer to twelve months you can introduce cows milk which she may prefer.
hth
Thanks for the comments.
yeah she hasn't been well for the last few days, just with a bit of a cold, but the doctor says she is fine. She is eating well, and I have been keeping the cheese and yoghurt up to her. I have been offering her a bottle before food, in the hopes that if she is hungry/thursty, that will fill her up slightly, an at least she will have a bit of it. she still isn't having a lot, but at least it is some.
Maybe it is just a phase she s going through. I thought maybe she cold be tething, too, she has been pretty grumpy and clingy the last fe days. guess we will find out soon
if someone's having cold, naturally the intake would get reduced. and just let her bug for food, and give it afterwards. that's the best way I feel.
Raaj.
I don't want to be the final word on this. That should go to a doctor with whom you are most comfortable.
But is it possible your daughter is craving less because perhaps her nutritional needs are changing? I've heard food cravings with adults can be the adult possibly, without realizing it, craving one or more nutrients in that particular food.
At least one manufacturer of formula has one formulated for children from 9 months to two years old. I never used one. My daughter was consistent on formula and went straight to cows' milk at one year, but each child is different. See what your doctor says. Perhaps the formula for 9-24 months is a possibility. Does she eat most table foods?
I don't happen to believe in the formula for 12 months rule. I really can't see why, specially if a child is eating foods and eating them well. I'd just give her some regular milk, and how about some water? You don't say if you give her water? In my neck of the woods kids are taken off formula at about 6 months, slowly, sure, but after that time more milk is given. Whole milk. Plenty of foods as well, juice, and water, plenty water.
You know I thought of an interesting idea that might be the issue. She has developed taste. Have you had a bottle of formula lately? Lol, Its some nasty stuff! Nasty! Maybe due to eating foods and such she thinks so too.
I'm taking her to the doctor tomorrow, and we will see what is said there. She has started drinking more formula again, still nowhere near the amount she was on before, but that is fine with me.
She does have water from time to time; she won't drink it if she can avoid it, but I do make her have at least some water each ay. I haven't tried her on regular milk yet, but in saying that, she does have it on her breakfast cereal.
She does eat most foods, and for the most part doesn't seem to be missing her milk, so I'm not pushing her, if she drinks it, excellent...if not, so be it, just as long as she keeps up her food water and juice.
Have you thought of sneaking milk in to purées? That way, she would still get some. 9 months is a bit young to be weaned off of milk. You could also try her on goat's milk, which is closer to that of human's and is easier to digest then cow's milk. Almond milk could also be an option to considered.
Juice, unless they are freshly made, and or organic veggies, does contain sugar, and thereby not so good for infant and children.
juice even fresh juice is also very acidic and is not good for developing teeth.
At her age the juice is okay though. I'm a total fan of breast feeding from the start. Even for women that can't they should find a professional to do it. 6 months and then regular milk of some kind.
Claire, i agree with you that sugar is not good for developing teeth. It just, is she wants to give it to her baby, freshly squeezed is still better then store bought.
Forereel, I don't share your opinion on juice being good for a almost 9 months old baby, most have some form of sugar, not to mention the preservative used.
As for nursing, I agree that breast is best. Acording to the research I've read, it is highly adviced that babies, if possible, should be nursed for the first to second year of life. After that, the nursing should continue if both parties desired. Meaning mothers and babies.
I don't know about bottled juice, so you are right on that, but some juice is okay, so if you must get it in a bottled form buy the best you can find. I am totally in to natural, or products as close as you can get them. I guess she did ask about formula, so that is what she's got for now. I took it over board. Smile.
you all are missing what to me is the most obvious problem here. perhaps she's lactose intolerant. this can happen as we mature. this is something she needs to bring up with her doctor.
Naw. The formula isn't causing her any problems, she's just not drinking it, or wasn't at the time of this posting.
A quick update.
We did go to the doctor, and found there was nothing rally wrong; apart froma bit of a cold which we both had.
She is back to drinking her formula again, only about 2 and a half bottles a day, but I'm happy with that.
So I just put it down to the cold, and having a slightly unsettled couple of weeks where she was pretty muc out of her normal routine.
But things are back to normal now, or as normal as they can be for a while, and she is much better. So thanks everyone!
Sweet! Smile. You're a good mom.
hahhah thanks. I try to be
coty see below about cow's milk.
Cow's milk is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children under 1 year old. Infants fed whole cow's milk don't get enough vitamin E, iron, and essential fatty acids. They also get too much protein, sodium, and potassium. These levels may be too high for the infant's system to handle. Also, whole cow's milk protein and fat are more difficult for an infant to digest and absorb.
For the best infant nutrition, pick the right milk source and eventually introduce the infant to solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula during the first 12 months of life. Between ages 4 - 6 months, certain solid foods may be added. Breast milk or iron-fortified formula, along with age-appropriate solid foods and juices during the first year of life, provides more balanced nutrition.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002448.htm
Smile. Probably why I'm crazy. I was fed lots of cows milk before I was a year old. Formula was just to expensive for my parents. Might just be America's and many other countries problem eh? I think in many cases doctors need to re learn natural methods.
Good article, even if I already knew that. Thanks.