Breastfeeding is great, both for you and your baby, we know this by now, and if you are one of those supermoms who exclusively breastfed their babies up until they couldn’t, awesome job!
Breastmilk is more than just milk, it’s a connection between a mother and her child, switching to formula milk changes the overall experience of your little one, they might refuse because they don’t like the taste of the milk, the bottle that you are using, the milk flow of the nipple, or even the temperature of the milk.
There could be multiple reasons why you need to stop breastfeeding your little one, could be because you need to go back to work, and pumping would be impossible, or your milk supply might have gone dry.
In my case, I had to stop breastfeeding due to some health concerns that would require medications that are not safe for babies, it’s a sudden halt, and my baby and I cried our hearts out during the transition to formula milk.
But what if your baby doesn’t want to drink formula? What are the possible reasons they refuse it and what could we do to help them and make sure that they get the recommended milk intake for their age.
Possible reasons why your baby refuse to take formula
Between 9-12 months, even though your baby can now eat solids, most of their nutrients are still coming from their milk supply.
On average, they should still have 24-32 oz. of milk in total within the day, besides the solid foods that you are starting to introduce to them. If your baby has less milk than they should, this could cause some development delays or weaken their immune system.
To help our babies, we always need to know why they are behaving a certain way, so here are some possible reasons why your little one is steering away from drinking formula milk.
- Exclusively breastfed – If your baby has been feeding on you since they were born, it should come as no surprise why they would say no to formula milk. Breast milk is, after all, the best milk for babies. Mom’s milk is warm, and it comes with snuggles to the tune of your heartbeat, which all spells calm and safe for your baby even before they are born. However, the transition from that experience to a completely different one needs a gradual and slow approach.
- It’s all in the milk – The bottle is not the problem; they previously feed on bottles with your breast milk in them, but now your supply is running out, and it can’t catch up with your babies increasing demands for milk, hence the formula milk. But just a few tries, and it was rejected; nope, little one decides this is not their milk. Your baby might be refusing the milk because it’s colder than breast milk or because of flavor and texture. Maybe another brand of formula milk is worth a try.
- Bottle problems – Sometimes, it has nothing to do with the milk but has everything to do with the bottle they use to drink the milk. The nipple shape and texture, the milk flow, and the feel of the bottle, in general, don’t go well with your baby. In addition, there are other possible aspects in a bottle that may not fit your baby’s wants and/or needs. Still, there are also plenty of feeding bottles available in the market specially designed for breastfed babies transitioning to formula.
Ways to make your baby drink formula milk
With the right timing and proper introduction, your baby will eventually get used to the formula milk but for some babies that need a little extra encouragement, here are some tips to help your little ones get used to their new milk.
- Slowly but surely – Make sure to introduce formula milk gradually to your baby. You can start by mixing it with the breast milk little by little, 25% formula with 75% breast milk, or for 6-month-old babies and above who are starting to eat solids, you can mix the formula to their food, mashed potato or sweet potato with formula milk would be a great start.
- Choose the right milk – This part could be tricky. My best recommendation is to consult your pediatrician to give you the best possible options of formula milk for your baby. There are different types of formula milk for different babies, and some are perfectly fine with all of the formula brands while others are sensitive to milk with lactose. Formula milk also comes in different stages, depending on your baby’s age.
- Choose the right bottle – There are so many options in the market right now for feeding bottles specifically made for breastfed babies, so choosing the right bottle can be an overwhelming task. First, make sure that the feeding bottle you will be getting for your baby meets their wants and needs. For example, if you are transitioning them at 10 months, make sure that you choose the bottle with a nipple flow that is just right for their age; newborn feeding bottles have a very tight nipple flow that will not be a pleasant experience for an older baby.
- Choose the right time – Timing is everything. There are ideal times or situations when it is best to offer your baby a bottle of formula milk, offer the formula milk when they are in the “right-amount-of-hungry” stage because their chances of taking it will be higher than when they are still full or in the middle of feeding with mom, you can also offer it when they are sleepy or is relaxed.
- Let someone else feed them – Breastfed babies associate food with mom most of the time and will not take anything else if they know that mom/food is around. That is why letting someone else give your baby formula milk might get a higher success rate because your baby will not have you as an option. Also, this is a perfect chance for dads to offer the milk for your baby to know that mom can feed him and a dad.
FAQs
What is the best formula milk for 10 months old baby
Depending on your baby’s needs, here are the 3 top formula milk in general categories:
– Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula
– Enfamil NeuroPro Infant Formula
– Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula
How much milk should a 10-month old consume in a day?
“A 10-month-old baby should be drinking at least 24–32 ounces of breast milk or formula every 24 hours. If you divide this between four nursing sessions, it is about 6–8 ounces each time. Even if your baby is eating more solid foods, keep offering them the appropriate amount of breast milk or formula.”
Conclusion
There are so many different ways to make your baby take formula milk but it’s going to be a case-to-case basis because each baby is different from the other and knowing the needs and wants of your baby is the most important key in helping them to feed with formula milk. As long as they are drinking at least 24 oz. (if 9-12 months) per day and they are as active as they have ever been, there is nothing to worry about.
But if not, you may need to talk to your doctor and ask for any other recommendations that they could provide, the best advice is always from the professionals so never hesitate to consult them.
Feel free to share your personal experiences regarding this topic in the comment section down below, we would love to hear from you. Stay happy and stay healthy!
