As my sons girlfriend was fixing their baby's bottle tonight we notice she put in TWO scoops of formula to 8 oz of water. When asked why, they said trying not to use so much so it lasts longer. OMG!!! Are you kidding me!
So ya'll tell me just out of curiosity, what - if any- the negatives are to this. I know I'm just the "grandma" but I have a feeling I already know. Just want to hear what you have to say. :) And should I try to inform them to what the negatives are to her not getting the right amount of formula in her water?
Going Crazy In Houston ~
V.
Thank you all SO very much for your responses! I knew not getting the correct amount of formula to the water would cause her to not receive the nutrients she needs, but the water intoxication didn't occur to me. I had heard of that but it didn't click this time. I immediately called - no answer of course - so I texted him and told him they have GOT to STOP shorting her formula in her water and that I posted an article on my FB page and to read it. I told them it's VERY DANGEROUS to do that and that it could cause death. I just went straight to the worst scenario - I wanted to get their attention. I print coupons so I printed some for the formula they use and gave them to my son yesterday. I also suggested they may want to buy a can of formula for great grandma, the baby stays with her a couple of days during the week, so they don't have to use their formula to supply everyone else. Theirs would last longer that way. I buy formula to keep at my home anyway. Hopefully that will help... aside from me assisting them in buying the formula. She as TALKED about WIC but has never made the move to apply. Another story...
Thanks again for all your input and advice!!! I'm so glad I found this site!
http://www.pe.com/localnews/sbcounty/stories/PE_News_Loca...
Have her read this article about a mother who almost lost her daughter by diluting her baby's formula.... it's scary!!!
The biggest draw back is that the baby is not getting the nutrition they need. If they can't get WIC or food stamps, maybe you could buy some formula for them in bulk and talk to them both about the importance of feeding the baby properly. Most likely the strategy they are using is not working because the baby will want to be fed more often, so in the long run they are probably using more formula. If I was the grandma, that is what I would do!
too much water and dies of water intoxication.
not enough fat/protein and has failure to thrive
i mean, what the heck? if they can't afford the formula, they need to get on WIC. I would NEVER do that to my son. He's 5 months too...but I'd much rather myself go without everything just to make sure he eats WELL!! wow...
This is so frightening. This is baby's sole source of nutrition to grow and live! Babies have died from this. Yes! You have to tell them that they are putting there baby in great danger. This is not a matter of your way of parenting vs theirs. It sounds like some parent education is in order. I found this non-profit that might help - http://www.familyservices.org
I haven't made formula in 15 years. How many scoops are you supposed to put in?
Take your son aside and talk to him privately about the importance of getting 100% of the nutrients to their child. Do not speak to the girlfriend about this---she might take it as meddling or criticism.
The go out and buy them some formula, since it sounds like cost is the issue.
Adding:
BIG TIME DISAGREE with the posters who said call CPS about this. DO NOT.....DO NOT call CPS b/c your son is trying to stretch the formula. You can just imagine the problems this would create!!!
That is sad. It sounds like money is tight. Sign them up for formula coupons. Similac and the other companies send out $5 off coupons all the time. Or maybe you and the other relatives can buy a bunch of formula at Costco for christmas.
They must be young parents. You shouldn't put only two scoops per 8 ounces unless pediatrician has said so. When my son was 3 months he kept getting constipated with his formula so the doctor told me to do three scoops for an 8 ounce bottle to water it down for him. Now he is 8 months old and does fine with rice and normal formula. You need to stress to them just because they want to "save" more of it because its expensive isn't right because they are depriving that child of nutrients, which could make him or her very sick and malnourished. I would suggest a parenting class for them so they know what they are doing wrong and right. Good luck.
Always prepare concentrated liquid formula and powdered formula according to the manufacturer's directions on the label. You want to save money...there are a few wasy to safely do that (coupons, WIC or public assistance programs, breast feeding, or store brands which are made by the same manufacturers as the name brands). I work with for a dairy cooperative who produces the milk/whey products to most of the leading formula manufacturers in the US and work with this every day.
Using less than the recommended amount of formula means baby will not receive adequate calories and nutrients for growth and development. Example - A few years ago...well before the Melamine in formula scare in China 2008...people were buying whey permeate ( sweetener/filler/flavor enhancer in cookies, cake mixes, etc.) which does not have enough protein content. Why would someone do this...well, instead of the current price of whey pretin concetrate 80% being $8000/metric ton, you can get whey permeate for $750/metric ton....see the math? So these Chinese businesses were buying whey permeate and selling it as a filler for formula (did they know what they were doing....who knows). In fact instead of the 80% minimum protein content required by the Food Safety organizations (formula uses whey protein concentrate 80% which is also used in geriatric nutrition and body building supplements), it has about 3.5% protein...and babies (many babies) died. To this day, China will not allow whey permeate to be sold for any purpose for human consumption because babies were literally starving to death - and parents assumed they were fine because they were eating the right quantity...it was just nutritionally inadequate. This almost caused a huge international uproar because a country who only allows each couple to have one child gets a little protective when that one child dies over something that is so stupid and irresponsible. It was all covered up and China, and their govenrment decided the only use you can have for whey permeate in China currently is for feed (mostly baby pigs).
This is similair to what your son and his girlfriend are doing...they are slowly starving their child of nutrients, and the necessary requirements to make the baby a functioning normal child.
There's no reason to add more formula to the mix, or to use less water unless your pediatrician advises it. Additional formula won't make your child any smarter, stronger, or taller, but it can endanger his health. Excess formula can burden a child's kidneys and cause other serious disorders, including dehydration.
You are going to have to tread very lighly because any input you offer may be taken as a personal attack, but what they are doing can seriously jepordize your grandchild's health and safety. I would see if you can maybe get someone "she" respects to speak with her about it...or even better...mention it to her pediatrician to speak with her.
Another option, if you think she will take any advice badly...maybe tell them you know they are struggling financially, and would like to help. Then ask if maybe you can buy the baby some of the formula since it is so expensive and that seems like a great way to help them out ( an extra can or whatever you can afford a month)...I would guess if you gave them money it might get spent on other ways. If you are desperate enough ot dilute formula, you are probably in pretty rough shape. I am sure they have no idea of the consequences of their actions...but something needs to be done.
That is so awful for so many reasons. Like the other ladies said the baby isnt getting what it needs to grow and develop. Makes me so sad! Makes me wonder if she has been doing this all along, which if so is even more sadening. Poor love. Also like the ladies said, WIC is an amazing program, and they will provide the baby with formula, and in a month or two baby food as well. Baby will recieve what it needs until 5 years old, and weight checks too to make sure little love is gaining enough.
Definatly tell them it isnt right to be doing that. I would take your son aside if I were you, it might go over better if you tell him privatly because then it wont seem as an attack, but more out of love. Just be honest and tell him that they wouldnt put how much to put in if it wasnt neccissary. Then later he can tell her, and she will probably take it better coming from him. As Grandma you have every right to be concerned, its your job. Your not just being "nosey" or anything, you are doing it out of love for your grandchild. Speak up.
Good luck and hope that baby fattens up soon.
Why doesn't she breastfeed the baby? Better nutrition and it's free.
I am not sure about your granchild's pediatrician, but it may be worth mentioning to your son's girlfriend that her pediatrician may be able to help. We are not financially burdended at all, but our Ped gives us a few spare cans of formula at every visit. She gets it free, and it helps! And included in the samples are really good coupons for like $3-5 each! Also, WIC as mentioned before, is a great resource. However, if you are truly concerned, and want to ensure that she takes action on this, I would suggest going and buying her some extra cans of formula if you can afford it.
Luckily she should be moving into some solids any time now. Maybe you can offer to come help her make some home-made baby food. All you need is a good blender or food processor, and some containers that seal and can be frozen. Then maybe you can come over and spend some time working together to puree some fruits and veggies for the baby food. It might be some good bonding time, as well as a relatively cheap alternative. The veggies go a pretty long way. I can spend about $12-15 weekly, and puree enough for an entire week of solid foods. That way, along with some bottles, the baby would be getting enough nutrients, hopefully!
Good luck, I know it's tough to watch and not feel like you are interfering, but I am happy to see you are noticing and trying to help on something that a lot of people would just ignore.
Like you said, i think you already know. This is nothing but negative--malnutrition,poor brain growth, failure to thrive, possible brain swelling from too much water. DO SOMETHING FOR YOUR GRANDCHILD!! If money is an issue, is she on WIC? This baby needs nutrition to grow and develop normally.
You are right that is very dangerous and believe it says so on the Formula canister. It can lead to the baby getting too much water and not enough nutrients. I would talk to the pediatrician as they may explain it to your son and girlfriend better but it is dangerous.
You got some great answers .... WIC is a super resource. Perhaps you can get some formula coupons and get some liquid formula so the baby can immediately get the proper nutrition while you try to convince your son to get on a program. Good luck! Your instincts are right!
You need to talk to the baby's pediatrician as soon as possible about this. Most formulas direct that 1 scoop is added for every 2 ounces of water. Watered down formula will only hurt the child in the end, as the baby is only getting half of the formula it needs. Formula MUST be prepared as directed; if they have trouble with the cost of the formula it is better to have the doctor recommend a cheaper formula than for them to try to stretch it in that way. Walmart has several types of store brand formula that runs inexpensively; if they are having SERIOUS money problems then they need to be in the WIC program. Address this NOW!!! That baby is starving and could die from this!!!
I would personally talk to the mother and father. The baby is definetly not getting the nutrition needed and can cause a lot of problems. They should get on WIC if they cannot afford the formula. Maybe some family members can purchase some formula to help out too.
They are endangering the child's life, and his normal brain and body development. You need to take steps to protect the child. Talk to your son, but if they will not do right by the child I would call someone in for help. (cps). If money in the issue they need to talk to wic about getting help.
Not enough nutrition and the kidneys cannot process that much water. Google it I think this was on a news story about a baby who got sick and had to be hospitalized because the mother was doing this. It is dangerous.
