Returning to work, 9 mth wont take formual

[mouse]

I have finally talked my boss into letting me return to work three days a week. Now comes the really hard part...Cant get little one to take formula I have tried all sorts of bottles, teats and sipper cups. He is happy to drink water from his sipper cup, but as soon as I fill it with formula he rejects it. I can still give him his early morning breast feed and the one before bed, but what can I do during the day. He is not the best eater of solid food and I am already watching his weight, he's a happy child that never seams to sit still for long, so maybe he is burning off lots of energy. But the milk issue is starting to stress me as much as trying to choose a good child care place. :eek:

[draught]

Does he take breast milk from a bottle or cup? I am back at work three days a week and I express at work and my 9 month old drinks that from a bottle (much to my surprise).

[TwoBlue]

Have you tried more than one brand of formula?
My son wouldnt take Karicare but was ok with S26 and the Heinz brand...
Also it took me a good few weeks of trying every day before he would take a bottle of formula and he also took it better from someone else as he couldnt smell me at the same time.....

Good luck

[mouse]

Hi,

I have such a hard time expressing, I have a really slow let down and feel I am walking a fine line at work as it is, without having to spend 40 mins trying to get some milk. I have managed to change him from a morning and afternoon feed to just one at midday I thought I would get him used to having less breast time, then next week push hard for him to drop the midday one and take the bottle or cup. Feel so mean. :(
How did you cope leaving going back to work. :)

[draught]

I understand about the time factor etc with work - I sit there in my office with my door shut for 20 minutes twice a day and feel guilty that I am not working - but no one minds (gotta love the public service) so I will keep going at this stage. I also understand the difficulty with expressing - I can only do it if my baby is missing a feed - any other time I am lucky to get 50mls.

My sister had the same problem you did - her daughter was 9 months and wouldn't take formula when she went back to work 3 days a week. In the end her daughter just didn't have that midday feed three days a week, had a big one when she got home, and started to eat more solids and kept drinking water during the day. Five months on it has done her no harm!

As for leaving them - I am incredibly lucky and have been able to afford (just) to have a nanny at home with them. It makes it MUCH easier to leave them, knowing that they are in their own home etc. Last year my eldest went to family day care and because she had such a lovely carer it made it easier. I miss them but I also enjoy my time at work, and refuse to feel guilty as our situation works for everyone.

Good luck!

[mouse]

I did wonder if he would manage on just water during the day if he refused the bottle. I am poping into town now and will try to pick up some different brands of formula see if I have any luck with that one.

Thanks for all the tips and advise. :D

[mummy_to_4]

Is your work close enough that on your lunch break you could go to the centre and give him a feed?
I did a month of full time work last month and left my 8 month old with a friend. Adele would not take forumla or a bottle with EBM - refused both and we both got stressed out about it so I was able to leave work on my lunch break go and feed her and return to work straight afterwards but it only really works if you are close enough to do that.
They say the Avent bottle is the closest thing to a breast - have u tried that yet?
You may also find that he may be refusing the forumla if you are giving it to him yourself as he knows you have something better on tap. Have you tried letting someone else try him whilst you go out for a walk or something. You may find if you are not around he may take it as its the only thing on offer.
Hope it all works out for you.

[jamb]

I highly reccomend the pigeon teats (Y), they are very similar to a nipple, very flexible and require bub to draw it back into their mouth to suck. I have a bub who is a real little feeder and with these teats he takes a little more and gets heaps less wind as a result of the way the mouth forms around the teat. Good luck, hope you can sort somethin out.