Is Your Baby Enjoying his Formula? Signs to Look For and What to Do About It

Have you ever wondered whether the formula you use agrees with your child? You aren't alone. Raising tiny humans is just as scary as it's exciting. Because they can't express their needs well, you have to discern what they want, especially when it comes to feeding.

You can tell your child likes the formula if they act satisfied after feeding, gain weight regularly one week after birth, have a minimum of about six wet diapers a day, and pass stool 2 to 5 times a day.

Not all women breastfeed. Some can't or choose not. In such cases, baby formula becomes the option. But when you pick this route, you'll want to know your child is getting enough nutrition and enjoying the formula.

This article will explain how to know if your child likes the formula, signs they don't enjoy it, and what you can do about it. Let's get started.

Signs Your Child Likes Formula

Some signs will let you know if your child is enjoying the formula. Here they are.

Baby Acts Satisfied During and After Feeding

Does your child act satisfied during feeding, or are they fussy? A child who doesn't enjoy the formula is likely to give you a hard time when feeding.

Sometimes they will refuse the bottle or keep removing it from their mouth. But if your child likes the formula, they won't mind the bottle, and after feeding, they will act satisfied.

Has Regular Wet Diapers

During the first couple of days, your child will not pee as much. They will have like three diapers. But after some time, you should have about 6 to 8 diapers. This is a sign your baby is eating enough food and has no issues with the formula.

Gains Weight Regularly

Babies can lose a little weight one week after they're born, don't let that alert you. But after that, if your child continuously adds weight, it's a sign they are eating well, indicating they like the formula.

How to Know If Your Baby Disagrees With the Formula

If your baby doesn't like the formula you're giving them, you'll have to change. In other cases, your child liked the formula, but after a while, they stopped enjoying it.

But how can you tell your child doesn't agree with the formula? Here are some helpful signs to watch out for.

Excessive Fussiness During or After Feeding

Many things can make a child fussy, such as hunger, wanting to sleep, or needing a diaper change. But if they become extremely fussy during or after feeding, the formula is likely to be the issue.

Chances are that an ingredient in the formula doesn't agree with their body and probably causes them pain. The only way the child can communicate this discomfort is by crying.

Vomiting

Babies' digestive systems are still developing, which can make them throw up after feeding. However, if they throw up after a meal, this can be a sign of formula intolerance. Be particularly concerned if they throw up more than two tablespoons of formula after feeding.

You should also be concerned if they are vomiting forcefully, as if the body is trying to eliminate something. Not only is your baby uncomfortable, but it also means they aren't getting enough nutrients.

Diarrhea

Babies have diarrhea for many reasons, including when they're sick. To make matters more confusing, there are different variants of what is considered normal poop. But if the baby has diarrhea after feeding, the formula may be the culprit.

Be particularly concerned if you notice blood in the stool. Your child may be allergic to cow milk, a common ingredient in baby formulas.

Signs of Weakness and Fatigue

You need to change your baby's formula if you notice signs of weakness and fatigue. For instance, does your child seem to lack energy when they're up? Another symptom is sleeping for longer than usual. The formula may be the cause of this. Try changing it to see if there will be improvements.

Slow Weight Gain

One of the ways pediatricians gauge the overall health of a child is by how they add weight. During the first three months, they'll add about an ounce a day, and by the time they are six months old, they will add 0.67 ounces a day. A child not adding weight as expected is something to be worried about. Try changing the formula and talking to a pediatrician.

Wheezing After Eating

Another sign the formula doesn't agree with your child is if they start wheezing after eating. That formula may cause mucus build-up and irritating their chest.

An Allergic Reaction

According to the National Library of Medicine, about 2 to 6% of children develop cow's milk protein allergy in the first few months (most outgrow it). Some babies will show an immediate reaction, while for some, it can take up to ten days to manifest. Some signs your child is allergic to the formula include:

• Rashes of eczema
• Refusing bottles
• Swelling
• Hives
• Loose stool
• Anaphylactic shock

Which Formula Should I Be Giving My Child?

When your child doesn't like the formula you're feeding them, the alternative is to change. This may necessitate the need for a trial and error period. Use an elimination method until you find the formula your baby likes.

Of course, you won't get results overnight. You may have to use a formula for about ten days before judging whether your child likes it. The process may feel tenuous, but finding something that agrees with your child is worth it.

When picking a formula, ensure it has all the necessary nutrients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specific rules about the nutrients and ingredients a formula must contain. Regardless of brand, it should have the minimum requirements for protein, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates.

What Are Your Formula Options?

You can get either liquid concentrate, powder, or ready-to-use formula. A ready-to-use formula such as Enfamil NeuroPro is convenient because it's already mixed. A powdered formula such as Aptamil is a cheaper option and also good for your child. Different baby formulas contain different types of protein. Some of them are discussed below.

Cow Milk Protein-Based Formulas

This is the most commonly used formula. The cow milk is modified to resemble breast milk, ensuring the formula has all the right ingredients. Most kids can tolerate cow milk-based formulas like Similac Pure Bliss Infant Formula.

Cow milk-based formulas contain iron to prevent anemia. However, some babies may be allergic to cow milk protein, which could be the reason your child doesn't seem to like the formula they are taking.

Soy-Based Formulas

Soy-based formulas like Enfamil ProSobee Soy-Based Infant Formula are a great option for families that want to exclude animal proteins from their kids' diet. It's also ideal if your child is intolerant to cow's milk formula. Soy-based formulas are lactose-free and protein-free.

Hydrolyzed and Amino-Acid Infant Formulas

The protein in these types of formulas has been broken down into smaller sizes, making them more digestible. If your child doesn't seem to agree with soy-based or cow's milk formula, consider this one. It's also a great option for kids allergic to protein.

What You Should Know Before Switching Formula

As we have mentioned, when kids are intolerant to a type of formula, they will exhibit particular health concerns. Before making a switch, talk to a pediatrician. The doctor will rule out any serious health issues. Also, they will recommend certain types of formula to try based on what hasn't worked for your child.

Another alternative is consulting a dietitian who is an expert in pediatric nutrition. Many kids go through this. They will reject one formula and like another one. Be assured that a registered dietician has experience in this area and will help you and your child.

When you want to know if your child likes the formula or not, we recommend using a feeding journal to note down their symptoms. You will easily track the things happening to your child.

Note what your child takes, at what time, and the symptoms they exhibit afterward. You can also take note of how long the symptoms took to appear. Giving your child's pediatrician this information makes it easy to do a proper assessment.

How Long Does It Take for a Baby to Adjust to Formula Change?

Most of the time, kids adjust to the new formula in a week. They may have some reactions such as constipation, gas, or change in baby stool. Talk to a pediatrician if you're worried your child isn't adjusting properly to the new formula.

Also, note that kids can detect a change in formula, especially older ones. Fortunately, most adjust quickly without issues. If your child is giving you a hard time, feed them when they're very hungry, as they are likely to accept the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I feed my child organic formula?

A: You can give your child organic formula, but the most important thing to focus on is the protein source and size. These two have a big impact on the baby, especially in the early stages after birth.

Q: Can you switch baby formula abruptly?

A: You can switch baby formula abruptly, as most kids tolerate this change without issues. This is especially common if you're switching within the same category. For instance, there's nothing wrong with switching from one milk-based formula to a different brand of milk-based formula.

Q: How do I choose baby formula?

A: Choosing a baby formula for your child isn't that hard. As long as it meets the FDA nutrient requirement, it's safe. It will all depend on your preference, what you find, and your budget.

Conclusion

There are several ways to know if your baby likes the formula. If your child doesn't like one, try another. Kids generally tolerate formula change well. If you have health concerns, talk to a pediatrician to ensure there aren't other health issues affecting your child.

I hope you enjoyed this article on how to know if your little one likes his/her formula.  If after following these guidelines you determine that your baby doesn’t like the formula, check the product’s return policy. You might be able to exchange it or get a refund. Many thanks to Simon Vielma for contributing to this article. Feel free to leave us comment below with your thoughts.

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