To wean or not to wean. That is the question.

[NbgSparklyYellowFeathers]

Quick background info, ds is 17 and a bit weeks. He has reflux and has Enfamil formula (a thick formula to combat the reflux). Hes taking 5 8oz bottles a day and was until 2 weeks ago, sleeping through the night.
Now I know that it is common for growth spurts at this time but for this long?

My HV and paed have recommnded gradual weaning. We tried a week ago and he didnt have a clue what to do with it. I thought it could have been the fact it was just baby rice so stupidly tried carrot and he vomited it everywhere for about 4 hours after.
So I explained all this to the HV and she told me to stop the weaning completly as he's obviously not ready and maybe try 1 evening bottle with a second stage formula like Aptimil. We tried this as well as SMA's second stage and he vomited on them both. Tbh I thought he would because he can't even keep water down.

Now my problem is this.... What on earth do I do now to satisfy his hunger? During the day he will not take anymore than the 5 bottles and when he has them, it can take over an hour to finish and in fits and starts. On a night he is a nightmare. Waking sometimes every hour or two, feeding a little bit, then waking again. He was going from 9pm to 7/8am.

This really has stumpted me. I havent a clue what to do!

no help i'm afraid feathers, just bumping it up for you!

although i did find with dd she kept solids down better if they were more solid iykwim. i thickened all her fruit and veg purrees with baby rice so they were a mashed potato consistency as opposed to being quite runny.

I'm afraid I think sometimes they just go through periods when they don't sleep through. Ds slept from 7 til 7 from about 12 weeks to 19 weeks when he started waking up. I weaned him at 20 weeks but he's only just started sleeping through again - he's 34 weeks!!! He scoffs for Britain and it makes no difference.

Hmmm. Only thing I can think of is if he will take more than an 8 oz bottle at a time during the day - say if he will take 10 oz (a faff making up extra formula of course). If he needs special formula to combat reflux, I don't see any point in bothering with second stage formulas at all. (presumably they were recommended as being stodgier than enfamil?)

Hmmm. Only thing I can think of is if he will take more than an 8 oz bottle at a time during the day - say if he will take 10 oz (a faff making up extra formula of course). If he needs special formula to combat reflux, I don't see any point in bothering with second stage formulas at all. (presumably they were recommended as being stodgier than enfamil?)

NBQ my son is 7 months also on Enfamil AR and we were advised to start weaning at 17 weks by paed doc. It didn't make any difference to either the reflux or his growth so we stopped and started weaning him at 6 months (he still sicks up now it is just coloured!!!)

He is eating 3 good sized meals but still having 5 bottles a day some of which are 9ozs (never thought we would see the day) I also think that the Enfamil isn't as satisfying so we are currently trying him on Aptimil follow on milk stage 3 stuff. We have just started so will let you know if we have any success.

The only thing I can suggest is just feed him as much enfamil as you can (I am still giving a dreamfeed round about 12am 7-9oz depending on how he feels and he will sometimes want a top up at 5am. Although this isn't ideal (hence trying another formula) it means that he is satisfied hunger wise.

Probably like you if you try to palm them off with water they just throw for england as it is not the enfamil. My DS still sicks up slightly on the enfamil anyway it just reduced the quantity and stopped him screaming in pain. I will watch this thread to see if you post response.

Did the HV mean second stage (ie follow-on) formula, or hungrier baby formula? I think he's too young for the former which will probably just constipate him. Can you try hungrier baby stuff? Not sure how that works with reflux though?

As for sleep - babies of this age are learning how to keep themselves awake. It's not about hunger, IMO and IME.

Forgot to say when my ds was 17 weeks he would only take 2-3oz bottle at a time so I was feeding him 10 times a day (exhausted was my middle name) and it took him about 4 weeks until he would take more and trust that he wasn't going to be severely ill when increasing the quantity. He started on Enfamil at 17wks.

We used to feed him in his sleep so that he was relaxed and not anxious about drinking milk. It does get better. Are you still on a newborn teat or have you gone for the next one up? We are using MAM ultivent ones. He might be taking a while if the flow is still slow.

Enfamil is formula with added rice starch so thickens on contact with gastric acid ie in the stomach so it as thin as a normal formula. The problem is that anything thinner like regular formula or water just comes straight back up.

We were advised to try potato as the starch would help thicken everything and keep stuff down.

My friends DS has this & is on the same formula.

The advice was NOT to wean - in fact it was emphasised how important with the reflux to stay away from early weaning.

Her DS, is a similar age & wasn't taking much milk. She says he became almost phobic about drinking because it had caused him so much pain.

In order to increase his confidence ( she is on same formula as you & makes up smaller bottles so she can feed him the full daily amount, but more times in the day.

SHe has been advised that when he is ready, he will increase & just to be patient & go along.

She is just so pleased that he is happier.

Can you just give it a week or so & see how he gets on ?

also keep with the Enfamil as the aptimil wiil negate the benefits & cause more reflux.