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Parenting

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Original poster

Diluting formula

21 replies

SparklePony · 20/07/2017 13:28

My ds is 8 months old and for the last 2 months I have been diluting his formula. For two reasons, first because he was having a lot of tummy problems while we found a brand that suited him and second because it is very expensive here. We have been living abroad in this time. I decided to Google if this is an ok thing to do and apparently it is very dangerous! Nothing says it is ok. I am now worried but he is very healthy. Weighing over 9 pounds and very bright and alert. I figured because we are in a hot country it would be good for him to get extra water too. Is this terrible? Should I be worried? 😣

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StinkPickle · 20/07/2017 13:30

It's fine. Really. As long he is isn't hungry and is gaining weight its fine. Done sensibly it's really not an issue. Think of it this way. If you gave him an extra 2oz of water from a sippy cup after he had his milk would it be dangerous? No. Not for an 8m old they're meant to drink water too

thefutureisfemale · 20/07/2017 13:32

You shouldn't dilute formula. It is not safe and you are not feeding him properly.

Would you be comfortable telling social services that you dilute his milk to save money as the formula is expensive? I don't think you would.

cookielove · 20/07/2017 13:32

I am gobsmacked that you thought that would be a good idea!! Do you mean over 9kg instead of lbs? Cause 9lbs would be really light for an 8 month old!

I have heard of people being told by dr''s to this so assume it can not be that bad! But I am not an expert!!

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OctopusLimbs · 20/07/2017 13:33

The doctor told us to dilute our little girl's formula when she got constipated. He said it's only really a problem when people do it to save money, and baby ends up loosing weight. As PP says, no different to giving them a drink of water after.

OctopusLimbs · 20/07/2017 13:35

Although just read you did do it in part to save money, which is less good.

DownUdderer · 20/07/2017 13:35

What is unsafe about it? Is it because overall the baby is getting less nutrients?

Do you mean you're putting in 2 scoops instead of 3?

That would be bad.

But if you were adding additional water to the correct number of scoops then I agree with the first reply you got. Not too bad.

Can you get milk vouchers?

CleverNever · 20/07/2017 13:40

9 pounds at 8 months? Is that a mistake? Babies can become easily malnourished if fed on diluted formula as they fill up on the liquid but it contains fewer calories and fewer nutrients. If the baby is eating solid food really well then its probably less problematic but if they're not eating a broad diet (eg getting enough iron etc) I imagine it could still be a problem.

Original poster

SparklePony · 20/07/2017 13:57

Oops I meant 9kg!

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Original poster

SparklePony · 20/07/2017 13:59

Yes he is eating food too and is pretty chubby!

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tobeornottobe1 · 20/07/2017 14:00

Op , can you elaborate? How many scoops were you giving and how much water per bottle? For example 6oz but 5 scoops milk?

Original poster

SparklePony · 20/07/2017 14:04

I've been giving him 5 scoops of formula and 7 of water.

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Kursk · 20/07/2017 14:06

If he is gaining weight then, that's a sign that what you are doing is ok

tobeornottobe1 · 20/07/2017 14:47

And how many bottles a day ?

Original poster

SparklePony · 20/07/2017 15:03

7 or 8 bottles a day

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WorkingBling · 20/07/2017 15:07

7-8 a day?! Way too much. I think diluting dyer 6 months in order to increase liquid and fortified with solids is probably ok as long as baby is getting sufficient. However at that age 7-8 bottles of 5 scoops (so 150ml if made correctly or 210ml made your way) is way too high. You will be better off doing the measurement and fewer bottles.

tobeornottobe1 · 20/07/2017 15:31

Wowzers 7-8 bottles sounds like an awful lot, could you do as mentioned by previous poster stick to the 5 scoops which is 150ml? Have you tried cutting his bottles esp as his eating solids as well now? I knw ur not in UK but could you see a paediatrician or your version of health visitor to discuss this with? X

Original poster

SparklePony · 20/07/2017 15:48

That includes his night feeds..does that really seem a lot? Oh my goodness I am so stressed out right now. Packing to return to the UK tomorrow without daddy as he couldn't get a visa. Should I change the way I've been making his bottles when we are about to go on such a long journey? For the record my main reason for starting to dilute was because he had severe constipation. Saving money was just a bonus.

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AnnieAnoniMouse · 20/07/2017 16:00

He's thriving, you're moving. Don't change anything you don't absolutely have to, he has enough to adjust to.

It's dangerous for small babies if parents change the formula/water ratio IF the parents don't have the sense to make sure the baby is getting the correct amount of formula & that they aren't making it undrinkable (sadly adding too much formula is common in cultures where the baby getting fat is desirable & reducing it for economy or worrying about a baby being 'too fat'.)

Once you are settled here you can see how he's doing and adjust it IF you need to. Hopefully he'll be dropping the night feeds soon too! 😊

tobeornottobe1 · 20/07/2017 16:12

Oh op, dont stress about it esp if your travelling, once your settled in one place you can address the issues, your little one certainly isnt starving and isnt malnourished by any means, youll find once he starts eating more foods he will cut his milk feeds anyway. A babies main source of nourishment is from milk up until 1 yr and ur lil one is having more than enough, from what your saying he is having 5oz milk near enough every 3-4 hours and than 2oz water every 3-4 hours as well.

ems137 · 20/07/2017 16:22

I wouldn't worry too much but maybe if you didn't dilute all of his feeds he might sleep better at night? Why don't you try giving the proper amount for his last feed and any through the night? It'll be thicker and baby might feel fuller for longer.

Original poster

SparklePony · 20/07/2017 16:22

Thanks so much for the positive feedback guys. I better get on with packing my bags now 😣

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