Breastfed baby refuses to take formula

[lblythe]

Hi all,

Our 8 month old has been exclusively breastfed and is doing well with weaning and eats anything I put in front of him. He's taken a bottle of EBM once a week since about 5 weeks old and will happily take it from me, my OH or anyone else.

I'd like to start transitioning onto formula as I'm going back to work soon but he is refusing to take it - I'm using the same bottles, same feeding position and chair etc, but he takes 2 sucks and then pushes it away. OH has had no luck in getting him to accept it either. We've tried 4 different brands so far and I'm running out of ideas! Haven't tried mixing it with BM yet, has anyone else had a similar experience and tried giving their little ones a mixture? Any tips or tricks will be greatly appreciated, I would really rather not be pumping in my work toilet

Many thanks in advance!

Mine takes 2 sucks then spits it out if it's not warm enough with formula. It has to be warmer than I thought!

Other than that, since you know he can drink from the bottle I would start mixing a little formula in with expressed milk, say 90% BM to start with, then gradually increase the ratio of formula over a number of days/weeks until it is 100%.

Or would he accept it from a sippy cup or beaker?

I agree with above - make sure it's warm and you have slow flow teat. Otherwise I wouldn't worry too much - you can feed him when you are home and he can have water and perhaps formula in a cup while you are at work.

Mine wouldn't take formula but work have been great about letting me pump - I get two half hour slots a day to pump in a meeting room that's booked for me. I think legally they have to provide a private room that isn't a toilet for women to express in.

Seconding above though, mixing it with BM and then slowly increasing the amount of formula will probably work quite well. Good luck!

Thanks all, going to attempt mixing and will make sure it's nice and warm, will let you know if we have any success!