https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 23:52:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-shortage#post-2927027 Tue, 10 May 2022 13:42:51 +0000 winter_wonder 2927027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How crazy is the formula shortage in your area? It's nuts here! DD has a check up at the ped today and the doctor mentioned we will likely have to switch to whole milk sooner than we thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/free-elecare-formula#post-2917935 Sun, 02 Aug 2020 11:19:34 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2917935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cleaning out the pantry and have several cans of Elecare expiring Nov 2020. Anybody want them? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893552 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 09:17:11 +0000 DillonLion 2893552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my first baby, I combo fed breast milk and formula. My milk took 5 days to come in and we struggled with supply and latch issues the whole time. I went back to work at 12 weeks old and pumped enough for half her feeds. At 8 months, she quit wanting to nurse so I exclusively pumped around the clock to continue providing her breast milk. She got breast milk one way or another until she turned 1. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and while I'm proud, I had some really strong feelings about the whole thing. It got in the way of our bonding and contributed to my PPD. LO never seemed that keen on nursing anyway and I didn't like the sensation and constant exposure/stimulation required for nursing. There was never a time where we both could relax and enjoy the experience. It was all awkward football holds and mastitis and uncomfortableness.</p> <p>For this baby, my goal was to BOND with my kid first and foremost. Bonus points if he and I both could enjoy the feeding experience. After a lot of therapy, I was even open to try nursing again, but only if it was enjoyable for everyone. </p> <p>I nursed him once in the recovery room after my c section. It wound up involving a lactation consultant helping to shove my nipple into my baby's mouth and I knew instantly that this was not the path I was going down again this time. </p> <p>Since then we have been formula feeding exclusively and I LOVE it so much. Feeding and caring for my baby is finally a joy and feels how I always wished it would feel. If he goes a longer stretch overnight, I can just enjoy it vs. worrying about my supply or having to pump. Mixing up and cleaning bottles is so much less work than bottles plus pump parts plus us both being covered in breast milk. I dont have to constantly whip out a body part. He's healthy and growing and satisfied. </p> <p>I'm very thankful for this surprising experience! I was so disappointed last time to find motherhood unnatural and unenjoyable (in the early days). This (plus an amazingly uncomplicated birth) has really redeemed things for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/similac-formula-coupon#post-2891765 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:56:07 +0000 Meso 2891765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone need Similac coupons? I have a $15 and $5 coupon </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-9-mo-old-refusing-bottles#post-2871939 Thu, 14 Feb 2019 00:44:32 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2871939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Background: N is 9 months and 1 week. She is 22 lbs, 95th% height and weight. She's been eating solids since 4.5 months and basically eats everything we eat now in good size quantities. She drinks water from a straw cup as well.<br /> She's been on Nutramigen since about 6 weeks due to early gut issues, but never any signs of actual intolerance. Just a lot of discomfort early on. She has had cheese, yogurt and a bit of milk and seems to be fine with dairy now.</p> <p>Lately she's been refusing bottles. She acts like she wants it, and then gets upset when she takes a sip and won't drink it. My suspicion is that with all of the solids, she's realized how disgusting Nutramigen tastes and just isn't into it anymore. I'm trying to figure out what to do. She's not lacking in nutrition, but I hate to quit formula all together this early on, either.</p> <p>Would you switch to a regular formula? (This is complicated because she's in foster care, so would involve the pediatrician, etc.)<br /> Would you just phase out Nutramigen and start WCM early?<br /> Mix the two in hopes of a better tasting bottle for the next few months? (I've tried this one and it does seem to help)<br /> Something else I'm not thinking of? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-with-formula-how#post-2862269 Sat, 15 Dec 2018 17:16:51 +0000 Kitkat 2862269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS2 is 5 months and I’m not pumping enough for him at daycare and I’m blowing through my freezer stash, so we’re going to start supplementing with formula. I’m not sure how to start...can I just give him a bottle of straight formula, or do I need to mix with breastmilk at first? I’m still going to pump, so he’ll probably get 75% breastmilk and 25% formula at daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-lo-formula-at-night#post-2852784 Tue, 23 Oct 2018 09:09:12 +0000 dolphin 2852784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS just turned 13 months old and is not sleeping through the night. He did at 10 months for a bit but then started waking up once or twice in the middle of the night again. Usually I would feed him a bottle of formula and he would go right back down. I know I am "suppose" to wean him off night feedings but just curious to know if anyone continued to give their LO formula in the middle of the night after one years old? He drinks cows milk during the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/enfamil-enspire#post-2846770 Fri, 21 Sep 2018 13:40:28 +0000 Mrsbells 2846770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone tried this formula? For the past two kiddos we used Enfamil gentleease to supplement breast feeding. I intially didnt pay attention to all the differences between gentleease and the regular infant formula but was surprised to realize gentleease has corn syrup solids and vegetable oil as the first two ingredients. I recently received samples of enspire which I guess is new and just wondered if anyone has used it? Is your baby less gassy than with their regular infant formula? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-and-giving-formula-at-9-months#post-2832519 Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:50:08 +0000 Boopers 2832519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please talk me through the logistics of nursing and formula feeding. LO2 is 9 months old and is currently EBF. I go back to work in a few weeks and don’t want to deal with the hassle of pumping at work. I’m moving schools and don’t want to figure out the logistics of pumping in a new setting and it’s very stressful leaving my students multiple times a day to pump. Add on to that, continual nipple pain on one side since day 1 and I’m about ready to stop nursing, but not entirely.</p> <p>My plan is to give formula during the day while he’s at daycare and nurse while we are together until a year and then wean him completely.</p> <p>I saw a formula chart that says for babies 9-12 months old to give 3 bottles of 7-8 oz of milk a day. Since I plan to combo feed, how much formula should I give instead? We are usually apart 9-10 hours during the day when he’s at daycare. I’d like to nurse him in the mornings around 6 am. Is 3 bottles of formula while he’s at daycare too much? He loves solids and is doing really well with them. </p> <p>Thank you ladies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cvs-formula-deal#post-2830627 Tue, 26 Jun 2018 09:26:32 +0000 HappyBaker 2830627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was looking into switching my DS to a generic soy formula now that we know the soy is working for him - I stumbled across CVS brand generic formula - it’s the same price as Target brand but if you subscribe to get it delivered every month you get 20% off every time! And they also seem to honor whatever offer is cheaper if there’s another deal going on - like right now is Buy 1, get one 50% off. Just thought I’d share as CVS was not on my radar for generic formula at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-count-formula-ounces#post-2825298 Wed, 30 May 2018 06:01:42 +0000 HappyBaker 2825298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a stupid question but I'm trying to keep better track of what my LO is taking in before we go to his 2 month check up next week. </p> <p>If you make a 4 oz bottle, it ends up being more than 4 ounces of liquid because of the powder....so do you count it as 4 ounces or like 4.5? I ask because LO never really finishes a bottle so I'm saying he drank 3 ounces if there is 1 ounce left in the bottle, but if I add that extra it would be 3.5.</p> <p>ETA to add - he is not drinking very much which is why if I add in all those extra 1/2 ounces it matters! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/most-economical-way-to-buy-formula#post-2826750 Wed, 06 Jun 2018 11:41:06 +0000 MaryM 2826750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, what have you found to be the most economical way to buy formula?</p> <p>I'm not interested in switching brands because DS has dealt with reflux and we tried several already. We're on Enfamil gentlease. </p> <p>I'm disappointed there isn't a very good option for subscribe and save on amazon. I've been buying the box of refills for the plastic tub and using checks when I have them toward that. And I stock up when Target has the "Buy $X of baby stuff, get $X gift card" offers. </p> <p>Are there other ways you've found to save on formula?</p> <p>I like to keep some ready to eat on hand for emergencies, but will only buy it with checks so we don't spend much on that. (It's usually about $6 for 6, so I use the $5 coupons on it) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-poop#post-2816888 Tue, 17 Apr 2018 14:00:44 +0000 Jennibenni 2816888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve recently stopped nursing my 5 month old son and he is transitioning to mostly formula. Still having some frozen breast milk. He has had a bottle of formula here and there since birth so the formula is not a new thing. </p> <p>As we’ve gone to more formula, his poops are very wet and runny and they tend to be brownish green rather than brown. They are definitely not nearly is firm as the peanut butter consistency I’ve seen described as normal, but I’ve seen other descriptions saying whatever is normal for your baby is normal and colors can range from brown to green to yellow. </p> <p>He started daycare this week and both days the providers have noted that he had runny poop so it must be abnormal to them? </p> <p>He has had no behavioral changes and doesn’t seem uncomfortable. He’s very happy and smiley. Is his poop a reason to be concerned or something to bring up to his doctor? It also doesn’t seem mucus-y, just...wet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switch-to-alimentum#post-2789273 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 07:39:43 +0000 Mamag511 2789273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in the process of switching my 11 week old to alimentum. We started with similac sensitive and then went to soy, but his fussiness, gas pains, and reflux have gotten worse...so this is our next try.<br /> My pediatrician told us to transition him to the alimentum by mixing it with other formulas bc the taste is so bad. If you made the switch and did a similar transition, how long did you drag it out for? Like did you switch totally in a day (like one or two bottles half and half and then a few with a 3:1 ratio?) or did you switch over a week? My ped didn’t really give a timeline, but she did say we could do it cold turkey too, so I’m guessing it could be quick! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feeding-issues-4-month-old#post-2768038 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 05:20:26 +0000 mamacat2 2768038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good morning! I'm having some feeding issues with my four month old daughter and am looking for some wider perspective. She was breastfed until she was about two months old, and we supplemented with Similac Sensitive formula here and there - which she seemed to tolerate well enough at the time. We weren't using the Similac for any particular reason, other than it's a sample we had on hand at the time and then she seemed to take it okay, so we stuck with it. When she was about two and a half months old, I stopped breastfeeding and we switched her over to formula full time. </p> <p>Over the next few weeks, she became very gassy and struggled with constipation. She would still scarf her bottles down and ate happily, but because of the seemingly painful gas, constipation, and general discontent that came along with all that, our pediatrician recommended we try a different formula. We switched her to Gerber Soothe, and for the next week, everything seemed to work out so well - she ate happily, passed gas easily, pooped easily and regularly. Life was good. (Funny how much of that revolves around this kid's digestion! Sigh.) Then over the course of the last two weeks, she has grown increasingly fussy while eating; she writhes and pulls away from the bottle and then cries until I can eventually settle her over the course of the next hour or so. At this point now, she will drink just enough to be satiated (about 1-2 oz) and then cry, pull away, and refuse to drink any more. At first, I figured maybe she just wasn't as hungry or didn't like the taste of the new formula (though we did switch gradually to help) or was more distracted - but at this point, we've gone from where she was a month ago, with her happily eating about 28-30 oz a day to now unhappily eating maybe 15 oz on a good day. I took her to our pediatrician last week and she suggested adding some rice cereal to the bottles in case her reaction was related to reflux. We haven't seen much of a change from that yet, though maybe it takes time? </p> <p>I'm taking her for her four month appointment early next week and will see what our doctor recommends at that point...but I guess I'm just curious if anyone else has been through something similar that you've found a great solution to? I have a hunch it's going to be some trial and error, but I guess I'm just looking for some hope for coming out on the other side! I'm beating myself up for no longer breastfeeding, though it had its own share of issues at the time. Although had I known this is what we were headed for, I would have stuck it out much longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-milk-after-starting-solids#post-2750803 Thu, 22 Jun 2017 10:18:00 +0000 Goldengirl 2750803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is EFF and up until a couple weeks ago was taking in quite a lot of milk, up to 32-35 ounces. The past week or so I've noticed he's way less interested in drinking and taking way smaller amounts per bottle, for a total of closer to 25 oz a day. He has solids (mostly purees) 3 times a day. I'm not purposely cutting down his bottle feeds as I know it's still where he gets most of his nutrition until age 1, but he seems to just be doing it on his own. Just wondering if this happened with your babies as well?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-used-a-preemie-formula#post-2749616 Tue, 20 Jun 2017 09:26:24 +0000 PinkElephant 2749616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you used a preemie formula for your LO, at what point did you switch? And what did you switch to?</p> <p>DD3 is 8 months old - when she was new, I did a combination of formula and formula mixed with breastmilk to up her calorie intake since she was IUGR and not gaining weight well. At this point I'm facing less pressure on weight gain (though she's still very small), and no longer use formula as a supplement (I breastfeed, and if she gets a pumped bottle, I don't add formula). I'm just finding that as I go back to the gym and don't have much frozen breastmilk, I need to be able to leave her a bottle in the childcare room, and am about to run out of Neosure. The cannister says "for the first year", so I'm thinking I'll just stick with what we know, but I wanted to see if anyone else had experience with changing formulas, particularly if it's for occasional use only, and knows if there<br /> might be a reason I should consider switching.</p> <p>Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diminishing-supply-with-older-baby-formula-supplementation#post-2723761 Thu, 13 Apr 2017 07:42:21 +0000 Silva 2723761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the past month my supply has been dropping. I work one day a week and went from producing 9-10oz to barely 3 all day. My son has continued to wake up every two hours and seems hungry when he does. He also nurses this frequently during the day. We do BLW but he is a pretty voracious eater of solid foods.<br /> We decided to try a bottle of formula before bed, thinking it might help with sleep. He ate dinner, nursed, and then sucked down two ounces of formula. This happened again the next night with no change in sleep. Night three he took four ounces and then slept for 7 hours, and only woke up one other time all night.<br /> That's become his new pattern.<br /> I brought him to my husbands pediatric office and did a weighted feed- he got 1 ounce of breast milk. He hasn't lost any weight since his six month check but he was only up by a few ounces and had dropped nearly 25% or so (hard to say because of different scales, etc)</p> <p>I'm calling his doctor today, mainly so we can develop a plan and get an official weight on his chart so that we can monitor progress by his 9 month check.</p> <p>Yesterday he took two, 2 ounce bottles during the day (always following nursing- if he still seemed fussy, was banging on my chest in frustration, etc) and two ounces before bed</p> <p>This was never an issue with my daughter who weaned herself at 26 months. I had a super easy breastfeeding experience with her. I really want to ensure that I can continue to nurse my son, even if it's not his primary source of nutrition for a lot longer.</p> <p>So- advice? Anyone with a similar experience? How do I make sure he keeps nursing?<br /> I'm not interested in medication or extra pumping at this point, but I am feeling pretty guilty like I must have done something wrong since this wasn't a problem for my daughter :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-gave-up-breastfeeding-early-on-why-diddonyou-regret-it#post-2693838 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:17:17 +0000 IRunForFun 2693838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always thought I'd breastfeed, but I really want to quit right now. DD is 3 weeks and we've struggled really hard with feeding. She was diagnosed with a nearly complete tongue tie and a partial lip tie in the hospital after doing a lot of damage to my nipples. We had both revised with a laser and were assured there'd be immediate improvement, but there hasn't been. I developed deep, open cracks/crevices at the base of the nipples where they meet the areola. I have had 3 outpatient consultations with two different IBCLCs, worked extensively on her latch, gone to a breastfeeding support group, and am now being treated for thrush with gentian violet and APNO. I hate every second of breastfeeding. I dread her waking up and feeding her. My nipples won't heal and it's making me miserable. I can't even pump because where the wounds are rubs against the flange. I'm so tempted to switch to formula but DH wants me to stick it out.</p> <p>I have a history of anxiety and depression, which I'm medicated for, and I feel like this whole ordeal is really bad for my mental health. </p> <p>I'm looking for stories of making the switch to formula to had a positive impact! Or just commiseration... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-i-stop-formula-when-it-runs-out#post-2674850 Thu, 05 Jan 2017 21:19:25 +0000 travellingbee 2674850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is one now. Do I just stop the formula cold turkey when it runs out? I'm not ready to totally bottle wean but I don't know if it'sbetter to continue with formula as long as he is getting a bottle or transition to whole milk in his bottle (I've heard that makes it harder to get rid of the bottles and to teach them that milk goes in a sippy...) So many mixed messages!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feeding-question#post-2672763 Sun, 01 Jan 2017 21:46:29 +0000 Goldengirl 2672763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EFF my 7 week old baby and he's typically eating every 3 hours about 3-4.5 ounces. However sometimes, especially lately in the evenings, he gets very fussy and hungry quickly again and I give him a small top up which settles him. So maybe a couple ounces about an hour or hour and a half after his last feed.</p> <p>My question is, for those who've experienced this, how much did you usually give at the next feed? Does the clock reset after the in-between feed and the next full feed would be at 3ish hours from then? Or is it OK to give the full feed again at 3 hours from the start of the first full feed (and is that the point I should expect him to be hungry)? The schedule is helpful because it keeps me sane and also because I can't always read his cues of hunger vs fussing so wondering what others have done. He has reflux so I don't like to overload his tummy but also want him to eat if we needs it! These evening snacks have thrown me since he was pretty much a 3-hour time bomb before, and still is the rest of the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-switch-to-similar-non-gmo#post-2663973 Sun, 11 Dec 2016 20:26:29 +0000 travellingbee 2663973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 11 month old has been on the Similac sensitive and our doctors office gave us some samples of the sensitive non-GMO. I didn't know if I could just switch without having to wean him onto it. Hypothetically it should be the same right? Have you switched back and forth between the regular and non-GMO without an issue? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mspi-formula#post-2648298 Fri, 04 Nov 2016 19:35:18 +0000 meadow 2648298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS seems to be MSPI. I eliminated dairy/soy 4 weeks ago and have noticed a significant improvement in his fussiness and most notably his puking.</p> <p>I go back to work soon and am seriously concerned with being able to provide enough breastmilk for both my DS and DD. I am going to try to continue to provide only breastmilk but if I have to begin combo feeding I will need to decide if I keep him on breastmilk and give DD formula and any milk that is left or to supplement them equally with formula. </p> <p>I asked the ped. about what formula would be appropriate for DS and she suggested Nutramigen or Alimentium but when I looked at their ingredients both included soy.</p> <p>I was told to eliminate soy because roughly 50% of babies with a milk protein intolerance also cannot tolerate soy. So why would these formulas have soy? I know there are even further restricted formulas that are crazy expensive that are soy-free also.</p> <p>Is it normal for MSPI children to be okay on Nutramigen or Alimentium? Anyone with experience or suggestions?</p> <p>I do not have a giant freezer stash to fall back on so I kind of want to have a backup plan ready to go and not have to sort this out WHILE transitioning back to working full time. Thanks!!!!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-do-you-buy-formula-1#post-2646503 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 06:54:22 +0000 travellingbee 2646503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had been getting it at the grocery store but I'm wondering if Costco carries and is maybe cheaper for large quantities? I guess Target and Walgreens are an option... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-formula#post-2641747 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 08:20:33 +0000 sunstar 2641747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 13 month old is not all that into eating. About 2 months ago he finally started putting things in his mouth (food and non-food), but he primarily eats purées and yogurt. He will eat finger-foods like puffs and bread, but will mash soft foods like bananas or sweet potatoes and not eat them. He still drinks about 18 oz of formula a day and I'm reluctant to switch to whole milk, just because in concerned about his nutrition. Does anyone know how the "toddler formulas" like Similac Go and Grow compare to formula? Is that a reasonable next step or just a waste of money? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gradually-transitioning-to-whole-milk-from-formula#post-2640779 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 09:15:09 +0000 BSB 2640779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I put 10% whole milk in yesterday bottles, babies barely finished half their bottles. </p> <p>Today tried 5% and DS drank most of his bottle. DD barely had her bottle. </p> <p>Should I keep giving her the milk? Will she get used to it? </p> <p>Babies are 13.5 months. I was waiting for them to be 12 months adjusted and I wanted to switch to whole milk when I had a few cans of formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sams-club-brand-of-similac-sensitive#post-2641097 Mon, 24 Oct 2016 08:13:15 +0000 FLnative12 2641097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD seems to handle Similac Sensitive well. It has really reduced her gas/spit up issues! Has anyone had success using the Sams Club (same as Walmart I think) version of it? I am hesitant to 'rock the boat' but it could save us a ton of $$. Thoughts/experiences welcome. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-advice-on-switching-from-hypoallergenic-formula#post-2640790 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 10:22:51 +0000 travellingbee 2640790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going to try switching DS two from Alimentum to Similac sensitive, since he seems to be tolerating cheese and yogurt. It is so much cheaper, and I can't wait to not have to smell Alimentum! Anyone make that switch? Any advice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-intake-schedule-at-8m#post-2630320 Fri, 30 Sep 2016 23:27:15 +0000 DesertDreams88 2630320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What was your baby's formula intake / schedule around 8m, if they did very well with solids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/probably-a-silly-question-about-formula#post-2623082 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 15:32:01 +0000 travellingbee 2623082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I am making formula for the baby I generally put in water up to the 6 ounce line. Then I add three scoops of formula. But then I have noticed that instead of it being 6 ounces, (because of displacement) there is really a little more than 7 ounces. Am I doing that wrong? Do you put the formula in the bottle first? And then fill it up to 6 ounces? Or would you fill it to less than 6 ounces to account for the formula taking up space too? </p>