Hi ~ My 9 month old weaned herself from nursing a few weeks ago following an ear infection, and although I've been pumping for her I'm finding it necessary to now supplement her diet with formula. I have several of the sample cans that were sent to me when she was born. I started last week giving her the regular similac (blue can) and she is doing fine with it. My question is can I also give her the similac soy (red can)? I hate to have it go to waste but I wasn't sure if it was okay to give her both... Thanks for any tips!
Added Note - We have tried getting back to the breast and have just had no luck. No matter what the circumstances - tired, even 1/2 asleep, co-sleeping, skin-to-skin contact - everytime I put her to the breast she flicks at the nipple or bites but will not nurse. She'll lay there for a bit and play around but after a while she just squirms and gets fussy and ends up crying. This has been going on for WEEKS now. I still try each day but get the same result. I thought at first it was maybe just a nursing strike but I think she has honestly weaned herself, which is a disappointment as I had really hoped to nurse for at least her first year.
Thanks for the answers!
I will check with her doctor or just pass the soy samples onto someone who needs them then.
Those sensitive little tummies really don't like constant change. They need consistancy. Even when you have to switch formulas for medical reasons they tell you to do it gradually, not cold turkey from one to another. Some doctors offices keep samples around and are willing to trade with you if they have received something other then what you use as a gift or something. Ask your doctor if they do this or if they know someone who does.
My suggestion is just from a personal experience when I was 20 and had my first child and was barely making ends meet and I thought I might do the same thing -- BUT DON'T. Seriously, my daughter puked for 2 days because her stomach became so upset with whatever is different in those formulas. I have had 4 more children since and none of them ever had to experience what that first one did due to my ignorance. Hope this helps!! Take care and just give that formula to a shelter, I'm sure they could use it.
If you are still pumping your breastmilk have you considered trying to get her back on the breast? A lot of babies go on nursing strikes which can be confused with want to "wean" but are not the same thing since the baby still needs the milk. It is possible for the baby to be brought back to the breast. You would just need to take a little "nursing vacation". Spend a few days in bed with the baby. Strip down so there is lots of skin to skin contact and offer the breast constantly. You can do the same thing in a bath. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html
I would call the pediatrician and ask them. My pediatrician was never a fan of switching the types of formula unless there was a medical reason.
I agree with the pp. Call your pediatrician and ask. Before you give soy formula, do some reading on the risks.
There shouldn't be any medical risks to using soy formula however, like the other poster said, you really need to keep her on one kind of formula. I had to switch my son's formula multiple times in a short time span (for medical reasons) and it was hard on his little tummy. Even going from the name brand to generic of the same type of formula was tough. I understand about not wasting (and saving a buck) so if you choose to use some other freebies, the best things you can do is to mix the new formula with the one you've been using to ease the transition.
