How do I get my son to drink formula?

[MarashaBabyStuff]

I've breastfed my son since birth, he's now 6 months. At 4 months we started solids and he loves it.
Now he's not at all interested in the breast anymore, I feed him only about once a day. I've tried to supplement his intake with a bottle but he will not have it. So what he gets is basically from 4-5 meals (where I also try to give him water) a day. He gets porridge/fruits/vegs/meat/fish/potatoes and all that. He eats a lot generally.
My health visitor says that he doesn't get enough fluids/milk when I hardly breast feed and when he doesn't get a bottle.
He's happy, chubby, got wet nappies - all over a healthy boy.
How do I "trick" him to drink formula? Any brilliant ideas?
KR

beaker
cup
try a dreamfeed

Wow, it's no wonder he doesn't want milk, - he's full of solids! Milk really is supposed to be the main source of calories/nutrients at 6m., be that breast milk or artificial.

I would personally slow down the solid food and offer milk around 30 mins before a meal.

IS it the bottle he doesn't like or the formula? If the former, have you tried a different teat? We struggled to get dd1 onto a bottle for ages until we used a MAM teat, which she took to very quickly.

Would agree though that it sounds like he is probably filling up on solids. He will need more water, especially if it is hot.

I went back to work full time when DS2 was 6 months and was in the same situation as you. He never did drink formula but ate a varied diet including lots of the things you list plus yogurt, cheese, etc. He only drank water during the day. The HV got in a real state but like you I had a chubby happy boy with plenty of normal wet nappies. He is now a fit healthy 6 foot tall 16 yr old.

If it is the taste of the formula he doesn't like, maybe try mixing it with some breast milk in the bottle and gradually change the ratios, if he accepts it to start him getting used to it gradually. If it is the bottle, then try different ones as we have had to.....after 5 different types, I think we have found one he will accept!

agree with jemjabella

try offering the breast more often if he won't take formula, and cut back on the solids

I also agree with jemjabella,

Use the cheap tommmee tippee free flow cups you can buy at the supermarket. Put the formula in those and offer it four times a day.