BWLO: BM to Formula Help (long)

alliapistor

My supply has really dropped in the last month or so just as C's appetite has increased.  I started taking fenugreek last week, but I think that is adding to my plugged ducts (which is the cause of the drop in supply).

So we have tried to supplement with formula, but C just won't take it. 

In the hospital right after birth, C took a total of about 4 to 6 oz. of formula (Enfamil Newborn) with no problem.  At around 4 or 5 weeks when he wasn't gaining weight, he chugged down 4 oz. of formula (Enfamil Newborn) and 2 hours later vomited it all up and couldn't keep anything down the rest of the day. 

Last weekend, DH tried giving C straight formula (Enfamil Infant), but C refused.  So then we made a bottle of 1 oz. formula and 2 oz. breastmilk.  C initially refused but after much cajoling, drank it.  We were able to give him 2 bottles like that - 1 oz formula and 2 oz breastmilk.  We tried to feed him another mixed bottle, but he refused it.  He even refused breastmilk served in the same bottle.  And for the rest of the day he was spitting up a lot and he developed a rash.  (He constantly has rashes so not sure if it was related or not.) 

So yesterday, I bought some Alimentum in case he has a dairy allergy.  We tried the Alimentum straight and he refused.  Then DH did 1 oz Alimentum and 1 oz breastmilk and he still refused.  But he would take plain breastmilk (in a new bottle) no problem.

I don't want to waste anymore breastmilk by mixing it with formula if C isn't going to take it, but am starting to worry because my freezer stash is dwindling.  I know that there are human milk banks out there, but I am not really comfortable with the idea of giving him someone else's milk unless it is a last resort.

Does anyone have any suggestions for making the transition from breastmilk to formula in a very picky baby?

ColleenS629

I have no advice... R wouldn't even take a bottle of BM mixed with his Zantac... just wanted to say I hope you find something he will take. 

morrigan08

Does it always get offered when you are home or in the same area of the house? Maybe he knows you are there so he doesn't want the mixed stuff when he can have the good stuff. Possibly leave for a bit and have your DH give him a bottle of just formula. Hope it works out

JessicaAlice

Have you tried Soy?  This may be a little on the crazy side but my old Pedi said that while in med school her and some of her colleagues (that had babies) taste tested BM vs. formula.  They found that the Soy formula tasted closest to what BM tastes like.  Seems silly to me, but we use Soy formula when we supplement with Cullen and he hasnt ever acted like he knew the difference.  If that doesnt work, I think Morrigan's idea might also work.

alliapistor

JessicaAlice:

Have you tried Soy?  This may be a little on the crazy side but my old Pedi said that while in med school her and some of her colleagues (that had babies) taste tested BM vs. formula.  They found that the Soy formula tasted closest to what BM tastes like.  Seems silly to me, but we use Soy formula when we supplement with Cullen and he hasnt ever acted like he knew the difference.  If that doesnt work, I think Morrigan's idea might also work.

The Enfamil Newborn is both milk and soy.  I haven't tried a pure soy formula because I personally do not tolerate soy milk, so I was afraid he would have problems with it.  I will try it next though.  I know Enfamil makes one ProSobee.

I feel so wasteful throwing all of this formula (and breastmilk) away.

And to PP - yes, DH has tried giving the mixed bottles when I am out of the room.  LO has no problem taking a bottle.  We may even be at the stage where he prefers a bottle over the boob (a partial reason for my plugged ducts).  So I don't think that is the problem, but we'll see.  I'm going to have DH try one more time tonight with the Alimentum before I get home though just in case.

naylon511

I can't speak to the BM but are the bottles the same temp as boob milk would be?  J was never fussy about temp b/c she never BF so everything was room temp but  I'd imagine BM is body temp (or warmer...)

Have you tried different brands of Formula?  Are Enfamil and Alimentum the same maker?  We used Gerber Good Start at our Pedi's suggestion w/ great luck.

MrsL628

naylon511:

I can't speak to the BM but are the bottles the same temp as boob milk would be?  J was never fussy about temp b/c she never BF so everything was room temp but  I'd imagine BM is body temp (or warmer...)

Have you tried different brands of Formula?  Are Enfamil and Alimentum the same maker?  We used Gerber Good Start at our Pedi's suggestion w/ great luck.

I was going to suggest this.  Mads would flat out refuse bottles of formula unless they were heated warm enough. 

JessicaAlice

We use the Similac Soy formula and he tolerates that well.

alliapistor

MrsL628:

naylon511:

I can't speak to the BM but are the bottles the same temp as boob milk would be?  J was never fussy about temp b/c she never BF so everything was room temp but  I'd imagine BM is body temp (or warmer...)

Have you tried different brands of Formula?  Are Enfamil and Alimentum the same maker?  We used Gerber Good Start at our Pedi's suggestion w/ great luck.

I was going to suggest this.  Mads would flat out refuse bottles of formula unless they were heated warm enough. 

DH does the heating and they are probably a little warmer than milk straight from the boob.

I think it is the smell or taste because even when we've given up and dumped the formula and tried to put breastmilk back in the same bottle, he won't take it.  But if we use a clean bottle, he will.

I will check out some of the soy formulas.

Alimentum is made by Similac.  All of the others I have tried have been Enfamil.