My 7 month old son is not wanting to take the bottle at all anymore. He wants only to eat solid foods. I know that this is not what he needs nutritionally and I am trying to find ways to get him to take his bottles. He seems to not like the formula, and I have tried not giving him his cereal and such to see if he would give in, but it takes quite a while of fighting with him to get him to eat. I wish that getting him to take a bottle wasn't such a chore. I don't know what to do and was hoping that some of you had advice.
Thank you so much for the help, in advance.
*** I've tried putting it in his sippy cup and the second he tastes that it's formula he rejects it. He'll take water and juice but doesn't want anything to do with the formula.
*** I'll add some more to answer questions. This is not like him at all. He has always fought it a little bit but that is because if he's tired he knows that eating will make him fall asleep. He'd fight for a minute and then drink his bottle. No big deal. Now he just doesn't want to take it at all. It's the same formula he's been on for the last couple months since I weaned him from breastfeeding (he didn't agree with whatever was in my milk) and he's had no problems with it at all. I use it in his cereal and he gobbles that up with no issue. He's just really interested in everyone elses food and wants to eat other things, but this just isn't something that he can do yet.
i would agree with trying a different formula. they have to all have a little different taste. i know there are a lot of choices out there. also ask your dr for more help.
good luck.
Formula is a very concentrated source of calories. If your son is getting adequate nutrition from his solid food, maybe he doesn't need formula any more. If you think he needs more nutrion, ask your pediatrition about a lighter formula, half way between formula and milk. Otherwise, try whole milk, until he is two years old, and then non-fat. My oldest daughter was completely weaned at 8 months. Just preferred solid food and milk. My younger daughter didn't have teeth until she was 11 months old, but managed to eat solid food even without them.
Switch formula brands. Or try soy based formula. They all really do taste a bit different, some are worse than others. Ask your pediatrician for a bunch of samples of different brands.
Hi S., I think it is OK for your 7 month old to not want the bottle anymore, and also at 7 months old if he is on cereal and other baby foods, he should be fine, check with your ped and ask him about giving your baby half formula half organic milk. I don't know if you have ever tasted formula, I have it's nasty. If he eats cereal with it, continue it, all 3 of my now grown kids from 9 month to one year only had one bottle a day, in the morning while I waas getting their cereal ready. One of my daycare baby's started refussing the bottle at 7 months as well, and the mom was concerned. but she is 9 months now and doing great. It sounds like your baby is healthy and happy, and my experience in my daycare is that some babys are doing things at ealier ages than mine did back in the 80's, any time you have a concern for peace of mind call the the ped. My mom tolf me when my first child was born 25 years ago, to listen to the doctor with a grain of salt, and listen to my baby. Enjoy Mother Hood, the greatest experience ever. J. L.
Although it may be the same formula that he has always had, they do go through stages where they will reject a known "favorite" or staple food.
I would suggest that you might try switching formula. Also, a thought would be to use it(formula) when mixing cereal. I know that my son refused any liquid except water & juice for about 2 weeks. I was even nursing him at the time.
Keep an eye on him, his behavior and weight. If he seems healthy & he is eating solids & consuming liquids then it is most likely just a phase.
Warmly,
S.
S.,
I had the same problem recently with my daughter. What we finally realized is that she needs something a little sweet in her formula to allow her to drink it. After my husband discovered that she would drink juice in a bottle we tried putting a little juice in with her formula. At first we tried half water and half juice and then put the appropriate amount of formula in but now on a 6 oz bottle we can get away with 1 oz juice and 5 oz water then the formula. Try that and see if she takes it. I talked to the pediatritian about this and she didn't say there was anything wrong with it as long as I still put in the correct amount of formula into the bottle. It is worth a try. Good luck.
**Is he "rejecting" his bottle/Formula something new for him? Or did he have no problem with it before and drank it? has his Formula changed or the brand?
So, I'm assuming he is not drinking it at ALL?
IF that is the case, I would ask your Pediatrician about what to do, because yes, this is nutritionally necessary... a baby can't depend on water or juice, as you know, nor the solids to get everything.
Or, is it possible that he has "oral thrush?" If you look in his mouth and he has white patches in his mouth, this would be the symptom. Then you'd have to take him to the Doctor and get him treated. My kids had that once, and it affected their nursing/drinking.
Are you strictly using Formula for him, or is this in tandem with breastmilk? If so, some babies don't 'like' the Formula, nor a bottle, because they prefer "Mom."
I would really ask his Pediatrician though. Because if he goes too long without the Formula.... then, I would wonder about his nutrition... and hydration. Or, could it be that he is too full to drink his Formula, because he is getting filled up with other stuff by then.
TRY giving him his bottle first. Then his "meals." But separately. Serve him the bottle first. Then about 1/2 hour later, then give him the solids. This is what I did, even though I was nursing in my case. Otherwise, if giving "solids" first, this is generally done to "wean" a baby off of the breast/bottle. And if giving him his bottle in tandem with his solids, they often will not drink, or will just drink but not "eat" the solids.
Try giving it to him in a straw cup, or a sippy cup.
Or, it could be that he is teething. Many times, a baby seems to 'reject' a bottle/boob when they are teething.
Or, try changing the nipple to a faster flowing nipple....if you are still using the same one's as when he was a younger infant.
YOu are right, at this age and for the 1st year of life, breastmilk/Formula is a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition... not solids or other liquids.
Good luck,
Susan
