My baby refuses formula milk

Posted on Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 under Babies, Breast Feeding, Personal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

It was weird, my baby Clarisse just decided to stop drinking formula milk one particular afternoon when she’s around 6 weeks old. Before that, she would willingly consume a bottle of formula milk and breast milk but on that day, she started to cry and refused after drinking only 1/2 oz.

Initially, I thought nothing of it. Maybe she’s just being fussy. I kept trying to persuade her to drink her bottle of formula milk. She would drink a sip, turn her head away and start crying uncontrollably if I continue forcing the bottle at her. We tried everything but the kitchen sink, baby Clarisse just won’t give in. She just won’t drink her formula milk. I put the bottle of formula milk away. She seems perfectly alright when I breast feed her afterwards.

This went on for days. Well, I gave up. I wondered why she refused to drink formula milk. What could be bothering her? I was worried so I went to her paediatrician the next day. She told me this is perfectly normal. Perhaps, Clarisse prefer the taste of mother’s milk as opposed to formula. And that I should probably be pleased with Clarisse choosing breast milk instead of formula. Well, there’s the concern of whether I’m able to produce enough breast milk for Clarisse.

farah writes ...

Hi there,
My baby is also doing the same for past couple of days.
Did find any solution, plz share with us.
Thanks

January 13th, 2008 at 6:58 pm

admin writes ...

Hi Farah,

Thanks for dropping by. It’s a good thing when your baby choose the right decision for not drinking formula. Like you, I was worried when my baby refuse to drink formula. I thought she might not be feeling well. I took her to the paed, and she said if my baby prefers breast milk instead of formula, I should be happy with it. Some babies prefer the taste of breast milk instead of formula.

I apologise for not being much of a help as I didn’t feed my baby formula milk after that episode.

January 16th, 2008 at 10:36 am

anne writes ...

may baby used to drink breast milk and formula milk. then we give her baby foods at her 4 months old. after a few weeks she do not want to drink formula milk.what should i do if i have to go to work and my baby is with my mum???help please.

March 12th, 2008 at 1:00 am

Karen writes ...

My has never liked formula and to compound the problem she weaned herself from the breast at 4 and a half months. I have not yet found anything my baby likes and she is now 6 months old. I have tried baby food and juices but there is still no obvious preference. I just do not know what to do.

May 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Kelley writes ...

I too have the same problem. My baby also is very picky about formula. I did not produce enough milk after 6 months and have to use formula….but he also is slow to accept water and juices…how do I make sure he’s getting enough fluids….

June 4th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

Joanna writes ...

My son never liked formula milk when he was a few months. As soon as I introduced food at around 5 months he immediately accepted the formula milk. Now all of a sudden at 9 months he refuses the formula milk again! I really do not know what to do. I am still breast feeding during the nights and now I do not know how I will wean him as I have no alternative to offer. Also he is very reluctant to drinking water and juices. I mix the formula milk in his porridge now but I am worried he is not getting enough liquid or the nutrients that he needs!!!

June 30th, 2008 at 4:58 am

adriano writes ...

I am having the same problem..baby doesnt frink his formula and I dontnproduce more than 13 ounces of breastmilk per day..I pumped and measures)..even though I drink lots and lots of water…he is only 2 months old…becaz of this he gets gas becaz he doesdnt get enough to frink..what do I do??

August 24th, 2008 at 10:22 am

Manisha writes ...

Hi Joanna, I am having the same problem with my 9 month old he just refuses formula and I thought of weaning but can’t as that is his only source of milk. My paed said its fine if he does not drink milk as long as he is having his leafy vegetables, tofu, cheese, yogurt and powderd dry fruits. You could start a calcium supplement if you can’t substitute his calcium intake with the others things.

August 26th, 2008 at 4:39 am

gail writes ...

hi, my baby is the same. she used to be fine drinking formula before but eversince she got ill with fever due to teething probs she refused to eat and drink anything but my breastmilk. Now she’s fine eating rily well bt still hates formula milk. Apparently a lot of babies find the tastes disgusting, but my friend adviced mt to keep trying as dats wat she did with her son and eventually he learnt to accept it. So i’m gona try and do the same and c if it works.

October 7th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Zulaikhah writes ...

HI,

My baby is almost two months old and will also not drink the formula, but as soon as i put him on my breast he drinks fine. what do i do?

December 2nd, 2008 at 7:39 am

Sussan writes ...

Mine also having the same problem, my baby refuse to drink any formula after 6 weeks old. What I have to do it to do frequent pumping during week around 8 times a day, and my milk supply increased and enough for my baby. My baby is now more than 1 year old and my milk is still sufficient for him.

To get a great pump is very important, I was using spectra 2 breastpump and it is very powerful and enable me to finish pumping in 8 minutes with double pump.

There are sales on http://www.enjoybreastfeed.com. Perhaps you can try to get a pump from there? Or you can refer to the reading room for more breastfeeding info.

December 18th, 2008 at 2:34 am

Fran writes ...

my daughter is 16 weeks old she has been refusing to drink both breast milk and formula sice 11 weeks,she weaned her self off the breast and then I started pumping for her but she will not drink the bottles at all, the only way I can get her to drink is if I give her while she is sleeping but sometimes she refuses, I am worried that she is not getting enough nutrients, but she doesnt look like she is loosing weight and she sleeps ok, I started giving her the rice cereal today which she ate without a problem, any advises on how to get her to drink more of her milk?

February 10th, 2009 at 8:54 am

Lisa writes ...

my daughter is 18 weeks old, she used to drink formula milk and breast milk the first 4 weeks of her life, but now it seems very hard to make her drink formula milk although i tried different brands,she takes a sip and refuses to drink more milk. She seems to hate the taste of formula milk. Please tell me how can i make her drink her milk.

February 21st, 2009 at 1:46 pm

britney writes ...

If your having problems with formula i would suggest trying canned formulas or (pre-mixed) formula. It’s a little more creamier and a little sweeter. Good luck!

March 18th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

Maria writes ...

I am having trouble with my 5 months old son Wajeeh. He is on breast milk as well as formula and also rice cereals. He has completely refused rice cereal whereas he use to love it and use to scream for more and has about 12 to 15 oz of milk per day, he use to have about 30 oz (including breast milk). I am really concerned about his feeding pattern. Please help.

Thank you,

Maria

March 30th, 2009 at 9:14 am

Lisa writes ...

Hi, I am having the same problems. My daughter is 6 months old and has been a fussy feeder even at the breast since 7 weeks of age. Now, she only drinks appox. 100ml at each feed and its a struggle to get her to drink any more…she is on solids now and takes the spoon feeding well. I am just worried as the formula is the most important nutrients for them at this age..any comments or suggestions?

April 6th, 2009 at 3:09 am

Kave writes ...

I ahve a 5 mnth old n she never took the bottle. I breastfed her at home 4 three mnths and went out to work! she refused to drink it, i had to pump out everyday, until i introduced juice n fruits so now she has that and how much ever i get to pump out for the day which is sometimes 8 oz for the app.11 hours im away from her for the day

April 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am

Oanh writes ...

My son started to hate formula since he turned 4 months. He’s 6 months now and we finally figured out that he doesn’t like the iron taste of it. We’ve ordered a different kind of formula which has less iron in it (I believe it’s called Similac PM 40/60 or 60/40) In the mean time, we just add in sweet potato (baby food from Gebber) until the regular taste of the formula is gone. Hope this will help!

May 11th, 2009 at 3:32 am

MICHELLE writes ...

Hi my baby boy went of his milk at around 12 weeks. We finally figured out he doesn’t like Avent bottles only Pigeon with the peri teat! Hope this helps.

January 11th, 2010 at 7:29 pm

Nora writes ...

Hi my baby girl is 9 months and she is having very similar problems described in the forms, did anyone reply back to solve their problems with their babies drinking formula? I would be really interested to hear what solutions they had.

Thanks

May 15th, 2010 at 12:34 pm

Minaal writes ...

Hi am Minu,
i have different problem my baby is premature born in 8 months. she was ok with breast milk when she turned out to be 3 months she got chickenpox since then she has problem completely refusing breastmilk only drinks after she get sleep she was too fussy and till now its the same routine, now she is 7 months old. I was giving her rice cerealac she just omits started giving her forcefully it ended up in fear for spoon.Infact i tried all different types of cerelac but she refused.she would just scream when she see the spoon and bowl.My life was in hell far away from home managing such baby is not easy task.Then i tried her giving boiled rice i steam it and then grind it finely add little milk and sugar and little ghee, i thank god she is fine with it and morning i give her oats same way. she used to drink formula milk in a bottle may be 10 onz a day now she hate to drink. I stopped taking tensions i just give her warm water.
He gains weight her weight slowly but as far as she is healthy i have no worry.sometimes i pump breastmilk she likes to drink it in bottle.If baby dont like formula i feel just pump milk for every 2 hours and store it in freezer or keep giving her more of solid and just plain water.It will be fine for calorie as well as liquid.
Just keep trying you are the mother you will know your baby better!!!

May 28th, 2010 at 4:20 am

Koni writes ...

I have the same problem my baby is allmost 5 months and I am trying to get her off breastmilk and on formula but she rdfusses to drink she hates the taste (I can tell), I dont think I am producing enough breast milk,since I started to go to work.I have tryed to mix breastmilk with formula but she can tell and does not want to drink it,I dont know what to do.

June 23rd, 2010 at 9:53 pm

moureen writes ...

my baby refuses both formula and breast milk.i dont kno wat to do.im so stress.help

August 26th, 2010 at 9:02 am

moureen writes ...

my daughter refuses both formula and breast milk.i dont kno wat to do.im so stress.help.does every baby needs milk.shes just 6 mnths old

August 26th, 2010 at 9:09 am

dith writes ...

my baby refuses formula milk too…she used to drink formula during her first 2 weeks but suddenly stopped…i’m worried bcoz i’ll be working soon…please share what to do – need help.

August 30th, 2010 at 7:46 pm

anita writes ...

hi everyone,
my baby girl is 23 weeks old now, when she was 3 months she don’t like my breast milk and she is not taking any more.than, when she was 4 months i started to feeding her rice ceral,frult and vegetablt.she used to like 4 table spoons rice ceral,1/2 jar of fruit or vegetable and 20oz of formula every day.from last weeks she didn’t like to take formula more than 10oz but she still like her 4 table spoon of rice ceral,1/2 jar of fruit or vegetable.it that enough for her 1day.please give me ur Suggestion!!!!!!!
thanks

September 26th, 2010 at 10:14 am

JPCLAIRE writes ...

I had the same problem with my little one, I changed all diferent types of powder formula milk, but had same problem with all, he only like to drink readymade packet formula milk, he love any brand of it, but still refuses to take powder one.

November 5th, 2010 at 6:43 am

shelley writes ...

My son Liam who is 4 months now is refusing formula milk.Just started introducing it last week but he seems to hate it and cries when i try to make him drink. Maybe its not as sweet as breast milk , is it okay to add a little sugar with the formula? help!!!!

December 12th, 2010 at 2:13 am

Helping Hand writes ...

For those who can not figure out what to feed your infant who is refusing formulas an breast milk. You can try and make your own formula. It is costly to buy all the ingredients but it is so worth it. Formula can be polluted and it has a nasty taste. There are corn syrup solids and soybean ingredients in all formulas which can pose serious reactions in a baby such as eczema, reflux, and colic. I am a mother of six children. My youngest is 5 months old and I feed her a formula that I prepare my self.
The ingredients are: powdered goats milk, liquid pediatric vitamin supplement, powdered acidophilus, cod liver oil, flax oil, agave nectar syrup, water, nutritional flakes, and arrowroot flour. The ingredients can be tweaked to suit your own desires. Some people use powdered cows milk, some people use almond or rice milk as the base and some people use canned evaporated milk. There are so many options. You basically combine all the ingredients in a blender and then pour the mixture into a glass container. I have to make milk every other day. I prepare 64 ounces at a time. She loves her milk but she will vomit if I try to feed her a store bought formula.

If you want my recipe you can email me at junglemamas@yahoo.com

December 19th, 2010 at 12:33 pm

ginena writes ...

Hi,
ive been having the same problem for around 2 months now. I have a baby girl who is 17 weeks.She just seems to scream and cry when ever i try and feed her, sometimes she just has to see the bottle and cries! i have noticed it happened a few days after her injections at 9 weeks and she did start to get better after around a month taking 30 oz’s per day to her usual 20. Then she had her second injections and again around a few days after she stopped drinking her milk.. now im lucky if she takes 15-18 oz’s a day! i have taken her to the dr’s numerous amounts of times, they have tried teething gel, calpol, baby gaviscon and now she has lost 4 oz’s in 4 days!! its really getting me down as i cant go out for long as she needs feeding and its embarassing when she screams the place down. i have tried everything.. new teats,bottles, comfort milks. Its just strange as even at 2 weeks old she was having 5 oz’s 6 times a day!

I NEED HELP!!
hope somebody has an answer

December 21st, 2010 at 10:01 am

N writes ...

My 3 month old son is 100% bottle fed. He is has been a fussy drinker for the last 2 months taking half a bottle at each feed if we are lucky. We first tried a teat with bigger hole, this helped a bit. We then tried sleep feeding him which worked ok (he still would not take the whole bottle), we changed his formula which helped temporarily. We still have to top up his feeds by syringe which is not easy but we have accepted that it has to be done. Hopefully these suggestions will help some of you. I also cut a hole in a teat and placed it over the syringe and I let him suck on the syring while it is in his mouth without hurting him.

January 3rd, 2011 at 8:34 pm

Jennifer writes ...

My son never liked formula, when he was 4months he started drinking less formula so we would put fruit or cereal in it to change the test so he would drink it then after he got sick at 6months old not even that would work he refused to take a bottle or a sippi cup if it had formula in it so, since he had started solids i decided to give him his formula with a spoon and now at 9months old i feed him solids but mix his formula in the solids so he has the nutrients he needs i also give him a lot of water and prune juice because since he isnt drinking bottles he needs more liquids so he doesnt get dehydrated or constipated. It is hard work because in the mornings and nights instead of just giving him a bottle i have to spoon feed him and sometimes it will take over an hr but its the only way he will eat.

March 22nd, 2011 at 11:40 am

Jennifer writes ...

As for solids i blend them and then add the formula in it and give it to him or i give him the baby food in jars and just mix the formula. I couldnt breast feed or else i would have tried that.

March 22nd, 2011 at 11:43 am

nana writes ...

my 4 months old baby is not taking formula,everytime i try to feed her she only drinks 20 ml and stop and start to turn her head,i stopped breast feeding her 2 months before,why she is not taking formula?is it because of the bottle nipple?because the pacifier is different than the nipple she takes ..please can any one help

March 27th, 2011 at 11:13 am

Kiz writes ...

My 6 month old son has been on formula now for a month and a half and was going great drinking about 200ml for each feed, and eating soilds. Now only just last week he just decided to only drink 100ml or less and refuses to hardly eat any solids. My breast milk has all dried up. It seemed to happen after he had a massive power spew for the first time last week. Could this have something to do with it? It just seems weird but he’s not losing weight and looks really healthy. Maybe I shouldn’t worry.???

June 1st, 2011 at 10:43 pm

Kiz writes ...

It’s good to hear you are all going through similar problems. Even though there might not be an anwser to them, i’m relived that i’m not alone… thank you internet. xo

June 1st, 2011 at 10:48 pm

Maida writes ...

My 14 months old daughter is enjoying formula milk from last one month, but now she suddenly refused to have the same. Besides formula milk she is also having my breast milk and solid foods like banana, melon, rice and eggs. When I bring the bottle towards her she shows interest to have the milk but when she gets a sip, she irritates. I am worried about the same. If someone knows or experienced the same please guide me.

June 9th, 2011 at 12:37 pm

Lakshmi writes ...

Hi,

I have same problem. I breastfeed by daughter 8 months. It took look of effort to make her get use to formula bottle. But when she is 11 month, 3weeks now and one fine morning she started refusing formula. She is drinking only when she is a sleep that too 1 oz each time.

Please guid me … she is underweight

July 20th, 2011 at 2:04 pm

Lakshmi writes ...

I have same prolem like Maida.My 11 months 3 weeks old daughter is enjoying formula milk from last 4 months, but now she suddenly refused to have the same. When I bring the bottle towards her she shows interest to have the milk but when she gets a sip, she irritates. If i spoon feed her, she is drinking. I am worried about the her. If someone knows or experienced the same please guide me

July 20th, 2011 at 2:07 pm

Sara writes ...

My son is the same. We found out he has GERD.

August 22nd, 2011 at 12:01 am

Tian writes ...

My daughter has the same problem refusing her A++ liquid formual bottle at 5 months. As i have tried drinking her formula 100ml, i feel really gassy, floaty stomach and quite full all the time for couple hours. not mentioned the feeling of contipated happended for the next several hours.I wonder that even the best milk ( we bough) is not good for baby’s digestion system. I am so concerned about the formula milk which babies drink nowadays. hix .. help plz.. she only accepts my milk breast; however, it is dry. I dont know what other to try to make her drink more eventhough she looks healthy. Tips my husband has to carry her around the house while drink bottle. It works but what if we both go to work. any sugesstions ???

August 24th, 2011 at 2:56 pm

ayoub writes ...

a baby new born 2 or 3 days refused to eat breast milk or formula milk doctors said dont worry baby test is ok but we are worried is it normal this is it happened usually?

September 24th, 2011 at 1:23 pm

Sofia writes ...

Hi
I have the same problem.I am breast feeding and my son isnt takin formula milk at all.At night im havin problem with my milk supply now.My son is 11 month old and hes not getting enough milk im realy worried.Plz help

October 22nd, 2011 at 6:35 pm

maman603 writes ...

Hi
Just a quick answer for those with low milk supply:
The nurse at the hospital told me to take these when my milk was on a very low level and my baby was hungry specially at night:
Herbal capsules:
“Blessed Thisle” (not Milk thisle) 3 capsules 3 times per day
Fenugreek: 3 capsules 3 times per day
also the tea called Lunar Eclipse Nusring Tea
I bought these all at the Superstore. Also the doctor gave me “domperodine” 8 pills a day(4times each time 2 pills)

They worked great. It took about a week to work but thy did a miracle. I also drank lots of milk and drank less tea.
I hope this helps.

November 25th, 2011 at 10:38 pm

maman603 writes ...

Does anyone know why my baby suddenly refuses to latch on the breast? as soon as I put him lying down, he starts screaming and crying. He turns his head away, like he hates it. My milk is so much I thought he could not swallow but I tried pumping some before and it did not help. He absolutely does not take any kind of bottle or formula(tried 5 different bottles) and he had a blood and urine test today and since we got no call from the doctor everything is fine with him. I waited for him to get really hungry about 6 hours and still he refused. till last week he was hungry every 2 hours. But suddenly he would accept breast only when he was sleeping and now, not even when he is sleeping. I thought maybe the taste of milk has changed for any reason.
If any of you experienced the same thing please let me know. I am very sad about this and the only way o feed my baby now is to give the milk to him by syringe.

I really need some help from an experienced mom.
Thanks.

November 25th, 2011 at 10:45 pm