Getting her to take more formula?

[Teachtolive]

I'm weaning my dd (6.5mos) from breast to bottle and it's been such an uphill struggle. We've finally found a cup and bottle combo that she'll take and a formula she likes but she won't take enough no matter what we do! She's still having breastfeeds at night and maybe one in the day but we're lucky if she gets half the recommended amount of formula in the day.

I feel horrible, like I'm starving her. I've tried distracting her between feeds so hungry by the time I offer the bottle, making sure she has plenty of physical activity to work up an appetite too but to no avail. If she takes any more than 4oz in a sitting it's a blessing and it takes ages to get anything into her after the first 2oz!

I'm so scared I'm going to damage her if I can't get her to drink more. Has anyone got any advice?

Is she eating food as well and what centile is she on?

No help but my ff DS also 6.5 months old is only drinking 4oz every 4 hours at the moment and two 7oz bottles at night. He is just not interested in the day!

She's only picking at food. Not very interested at all. It's taken me a month just to get her to eat a bit of fruit and cereal mixed with milk. Even then she has days where she rejects it

Sorry, in terms of weight she's 50th centile. I'm having the HV weigh her again next week to be sure.

I’m not an expert but I had something similar when I switched from boob to bottle when my girl was 5 months. She only drank small amounts - maybe 4 or 5oz at a time. I figured this must be about the amount she would get from a boob each feed so I guess it takes them a while to work out that it’s better to drink a lot rather than graze. She’s 8 months now and she’ll have four 7oz bottles a day. They’re all different though - as long as her weight is ok you shouldn’t stress about it (as if!)

Thanks Loops I think she's actually starting to do what you're suggesting there. She suddenly seems to be much more comfortable taking bigger bottles and fighting me less. I think I might just try upping the bottles by an ounce each week and hope for the best!