Help! 5 month old doesn't like formula milk!

[helenhelen]

DS is 5 months old and has been exclusively BF - mostly at the breast but also via expressed milk from the bottle. So feeding from the bottle itself isn't a problem.

In the last few days, I have noticed that his appetite has got so big that I don't have enough breast milk to keep him fully satisfied, mainly in late afternoon/evening.

So I have tried to start giving him a bottle of formula as well as BF. However, tried to give him a bottle of formula, and he won't take the formula milk. He had a couple of mouthfuls from the bottle, and the disgust on his face was something to see as he realised that what he was drinking was different from the BM he was used to...

So he wouldn't drink any more....

Any tips on getting him used to Formula milk would be appreciated!! I was using HIPP brand of Formula.

Thanks in advance.

HH

Have you tried different brands (small cartons are good as tester pots) as the brands taste different. My DS liked Aptimil.

Could also try blending expressed milk with a little formula, increasing the ratios until he doesn't notice the difference, but that's a real fiddle. Don't know if I could be bothered.

On reflection, would try different brands.

helenhelen - it may be easier than you think to look at this issue in another way. Hanging on in there with your baby as he goes through this stage will ensure you make enough milk for him - babies do not stick with the same feeding routine for ever, and sometimes they need to 'order up' some more breastmilk. which they do by asking to be fed more often....or maybe they just need a bit more emotional reassurance as they go through a developmental leap. Responding and feeding as and when he wants is obviously better for his health, and also is prob a lot easier than trying to find a formula he will accept.

What do you think?

Oops - yes Tiktok is right and I should have mentioned that myself. DD and DS were both BF until 13 and 11 months respectively, DS had to have a little formula before each breast feed with his medication in it, and developed a taste for Aptimil!

Your own milk supply will increase to meet demand, and your DS might be going through a growth spurt and need a bit extra.

I have friends who supplemented their own milk with a formula 'sleeper feed' in the evening, and although I didn't do this myself, they definitely got more sleep than I did. Make of this what you will, but whatever you choose to do is, of course, absolutely fine.

definately try different brands, my daughter was mostly breastfed but had the odd formula if I was ill or something, she absolutely hated SMA but liked aptimil or hipp organic, they do smell different too so I guess they taste different, you may just have to see what he likes.

Many thanks for the replies. I suspect it is a growth spurt, but I hate to see DS going to bed hungry!

Hopefully the issue will reduce as my milk supply catches up.............

I will also try other formula brands if required too

HH

Can absolutely understand it of course. Have tried formula and it's disgusting!!!