What Can I Do If My Baby Does Not Accept Breast Milk Substitute?

During the first six months of life, infants eat only milk, either breast milk or in the form of infant formula, and in some cases a combination of both. But even though there are many different options on the market, children do not always accept these.

It is not always easy to decide how to feed your baby. Depending on the special circumstances of the family, the decision whether to breastfeed or give the baby bottle can often change over time.

Often it is simply best if you can combine different methods of feeding for your child.

Adapted milk for each baby

This accurately reflects the explanation given by doctors when recommending breastfeeding over other food sources. According to the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization , breast milk is the best option for infants.

Breast milk provides protection against infections and helps prevent allergies and serious illnesses.

However, there are circumstances when breastfeeding is not an option, e.g. if the mother is unable to breastfeed, if you have a lactose intolerant child or simply if the mother has stopped producing milk.

What can be done in cases where the child does not want to eat breast milk substitute?

Is it normal for babies not to accept breast milk substitutes?

It can often be the case that a child who has previously been breastfed does not accept infant formula. For many children, the transition from breast to baby bottle can be difficult.

A transition period may be needed for the baby to get used to sucking on the new pacifier. This will mean that he or she must become familiar with the new way of being fed and at the same time get used to sucking only on the mother’s breasts.

In addition to the fact that it is biologically impossible to breastfeed forever, weaning is a necessary step on the path to psychological maturity.

An important property of infant formula, and one of the reasons why experts recommend introducing it into a baby’s diet, is that it contains vitamin D.

This vitamin, which is very important for infant development, is not found in breast milk. Hypoallergenic infant formula is also an option if a child develops lactose intolerance.

It can take many attempts to get the baby used to breastfeeding

According to the Spanish Pediatric Association, it is normal for children to change their routines and preferences during childhood. Therefore, parents do not have to worry so much if their children still do not accept infant formula after a few attempts.

A baby who is not lactose intolerant often accepts the baby bottle after a few attempts.

The same association also recommends that parents try testing replacing milk with other foods that contain the same nutrients.

However, organic cow’s milk is not an option until after the first year. Younger children’s digestive system can not digest cow’s milk, which is more complex than infant formula and breast milk.

Many vegan organizations – which are on the rise in many western countries – are also positive about various dairy substitutes. They point out that humans are the only mammals that continue to drink milk after weaning, and that it is unnecessary and unhealthy to drink milk from other species, such as cows.

These organizations are also against breastfeeding for a long time. Instead of breastfeeding for a long time, they suggest that you start introducing solid foods into a child’s diet from the age of 6 months.

There are many arguments for introducing solid foods at this age. Among them is that these foods can provide all the nutrients necessary for infant development and as such reduce their demand for milk. In addition, it provides a calm, simple weaning period for both mother and child.