Formula Fridays check-in

[dreemkin]

Hi guise! How are our formula monsters doing?!

Age:

Oz/bottle & bottles/day:

Comments/concerns/rants/raves:

GTKY: 1st kid? How are you adjusting? 2nd+? kid how are your other babies adjusting?

[dacora]

Age: A smidge over 3 months.

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: 5oz 6x

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: Nothing really. DH keeps asking me if I should try to switch her to the level 2 nipples again. As much as I'd like her to eat faster, she made a huge mess last time we had her on the 2's and she seemed extra gassy. But now on the 1's she's been seeming gassy and wiggly, maybe like she's frustrated? I guess I could try to switch again and see how she does.

GTKY: 1st kid? How are you adjusting? 2nd+? kid how are your other babies adjusting? DD is our first and probably our only. I think I'm adjusting well, but she's a super easy baby so far.

[taberbtb]

Age: 3.5 months

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: anywhere from 4-6oz in 6 or 7 per day. She tends to take more in the morning after a long sleep and at night before bed. Otherwise 4-4.5 oz during the day, total of 28-ish oz for the whole day

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: We use enfamil gentlease and had issues with constipation around 2 months but it passed when we were thinking about switching. Now it would appear it's back yesterday and today. Poor girl has such a hard time pooping and screams. No wonder when I see what she is trying to pass. Debating (again) on switching to reguline or something else?

GTKY: FTM here, and I will just say some days are easier than others. For the most part I think I am finally well adjusted but then DD throws me for a loop with something (sleep, constipation, etc.) and I get beat down.

dacora I was told unless LO is collapsing the nipple regularly during feeding to stay on the slow flow nipple as long as possible, their jaws will get stronger. If we were BF'ing then LO wouldn't have the option of increased nipple size and would learn to adjust. We are still on slow flow and haven't had any issues yet.

[jensoprano82]

Age: 16 weeks!

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: 4-4.5oz 6 or 7 times a day

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: LO is still too skinny, but has resumed gaining weight which is good. I gave him a five oz bottle last night and he ate it handily so I think I am going to sneak in an extra ounce here and there whenever I can.

GTKY: 1st kid? How are you adjusting? 2nd+? kid how are your other babies adjusting? I love being a mom and I feel like I've adjusted great! I now understand why people say it's the second baby that makes the scores really change. As of right now little guy and I work well together. I get a lot of work done during naps and playtime, he gets lots of attention from me when he needs it. Having #2 would/will be tough because then We're throwing another personality/schedule into the mix. Im not saying we're one and done, but it does give me pause. For now though, super happy!

[abseptember]

Age- 14 weeks

bottles- big guy is taking 5oz, 7x/day; smaller guy is taking 4.5oz, 7x/day

comment- Probiotics are pretty awesome! Boys poop is not as smelly/gross and is a bit seedy again. They are also way less gassy We are using powder packets in their bottle. I didn't notice a difference with the Gerber Soothe drops.

question- For those sleeping 6+ hr stretches, how often do they eat during the day? My guys eat every 2.5-3hr during the day and give us a 6-9 hr stretch at night.

GTKY- These guys are our #2 and #3. 3 under 3 is A LOT of work! My DD is adjusting pretty well. These 2 are much easier babies (even combined) than DD was. We are adjusting pretty well. This time around I know all is just a stage.

[abseptember]

May 15, 2015 10:16:04 GMT -5 dacora said:

Age: A smidge over 3 months.

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: 5oz 6x

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: Nothing really. DH keeps asking me if I should try to switch her to the level 2 nipples again. As much as I'd like her to eat faster, she made a huge mess last time we had her on the 2's and she seemed extra gassy. But now on the 1's she's been seeming gassy and wiggly, maybe like she's frustrated? I guess I could try to switch again and see how she does.

GTKY: 1st kid? How are you adjusting? 2nd+? kid how are your other babies adjusting? DD is our first and probably our only. I think I'm adjusting well, but she's a super easy baby so far.

We've been on stage 2 born free since around 1 mth. My guys are chow hounds... they were so frustrated with the slow flow and feedings were taking way too long (45-60 min). Both have very strong sucks... just try taking away their paci! I'm hoping to keep them at level 2 until 6 mths. Regarding collapsed nipples- yes it can happen bc they are sucking so hard but also can happen if bottle is over tightened so watch out for that. I have to remind my MIL a lot not to overtighten.

[abseptember]

May 15, 2015 15:02:10 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

Age: 3.5 months

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: anywhere from 4-6oz in 6 or 7 per day. She tends to take more in the morning after a long sleep and at night before bed. Otherwise 4-4.5 oz during the day, total of 28-ish oz for the whole day

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: We use enfamil gentlease and had issues with constipation around 2 months but it passed when we were thinking about switching. Now it would appear it's back yesterday and today. Poor girl has such a hard time pooping and screams. No wonder when I see what she is trying to pass. Debating (again) on switching to reguline or something else?

GTKY: FTM here, and I will just say some days are easier than others. For the most part I think I am finally well adjusted but then DD throws me for a loop with something (sleep, constipation, etc.) and I get beat down.

dacora I was told unless LO is collapsing the nipple regularly during feeding to stay on the slow flow nipple as long as possible, their jaws will get stronger. If we were BF'ing then LO wouldn't have the option of increased nipple size and would learn to adjust. We are still on slow flow and haven't had any issues yet.

Have you tried probiotics? Maybe see if that helps with the constipation??? I think I'd keep her on current formula and try probiotics for 2 weeks and see how it goes. We did probiotics everyday for a week and then every other day once their systems improved. It stinks that it is yet another added expense but worth it to me. If the probiotics work, maybe then try switching to regular formula? Just my thoughts.... I'm no expert that's for sure

[abseptember]

May 15, 2015 15:10:28 GMT -5 jensoprano82 said:

Age: 16 weeks!

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: 4-4.5oz 6 or 7 times a day

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: LO is still too skinny, but has resumed gaining weight which is good. I gave him a five oz bottle last night and he ate it handily so I think I am going to sneak in an extra ounce here and there whenever I can.

GTKY: 1st kid? How are you adjusting? 2nd+? kid how are your other babies adjusting? I love being a mom and I feel like I've adjusted great! I now understand why people say it's the second baby that makes the scores really change. As of right now little guy and I work well together. I get a lot of work done during naps and playtime, he gets lots of attention from me when he needs it. Having #2 would/will be tough because then We're throwing another personality/schedule into the mix. Im not saying we're one and done, but it does give me pause. For now though, super happy!

Yay! Glad your little one took some extra formula! Here's to some good weight gain in the near future!

[taberbtb]

May 15, 2015 15:27:47 GMT -5 abseptember said:

May 15, 2015 15:02:10 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

Age: 3.5 months

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: anywhere from 4-6oz in 6 or 7 per day. She tends to take more in the morning after a long sleep and at night before bed. Otherwise 4-4.5 oz during the day, total of 28-ish oz for the whole day

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: We use enfamil gentlease and had issues with constipation around 2 months but it passed when we were thinking about switching. Now it would appear it's back yesterday and today. Poor girl has such a hard time pooping and screams. No wonder when I see what she is trying to pass. Debating (again) on switching to reguline or something else?

GTKY: FTM here, and I will just say some days are easier than others. For the most part I think I am finally well adjusted but then DD throws me for a loop with something (sleep, constipation, etc.) and I get beat down.

dacora I was told unless LO is collapsing the nipple regularly during feeding to stay on the slow flow nipple as long as possible, their jaws will get stronger. If we were BF'ing then LO wouldn't have the option of increased nipple size and would learn to adjust. We are still on slow flow and haven't had any issues yet.

Have you tried probiotics? Maybe see if that helps with the constipation??? I think I'd keep her on current formula and try probiotics for 2 weeks and see how it goes. We did probiotics everyday for a week and then every other day once their systems improved. It stinks that it is yet another added expense but worth it to me. If the probiotics work, maybe then try switching to regular formula? Just my thoughts.... I'm no expert that's for sure

I have considered this but didn't know where to start. Any kind/brand you recommend?

[abseptember]

May 15, 2015 17:11:57 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

May 15, 2015 15:27:47 GMT -5 abseptember said:

Have you tried probiotics? Maybe see if that helps with the constipation??? I think I'd keep her on current formula and try probiotics for 2 weeks and see how it goes. We did probiotics everyday for a week and then every other day once their systems improved. It stinks that it is yet another added expense but worth it to me. If the probiotics work, maybe then try switching to regular formula? Just my thoughts.... I'm no expert that's for sure

I have considered this but didn't know where to start. Any kind/brand you recommend?

I use the walgreens brand children's probiotic packets. Comes in a purple box- 30 CT for $16.99. Very happy with it and cost is way less than other brands.

[missys]

dacora I was wondering the same about the level 2 but when we tried it out a few weeks ago he threw up after for me and our babysitter. Our pedi said at our 2 month appointment to make the switch between then and 4 months when it seems he's getting frustrated with the level 1. I'm nervous to try the level 2 after our first go with it.

Thanks for the advice taberbtb !

[misshart00]

FWIW, I never went to level 2 with DD and we weaned her off the bottle at about 13 months (actually quit cold turkey). I had a couple clipped nipples for cereal bottles? But for just milk, I used a level 1.

[dacora]

missys Yeah, I'm in no hurry to try the 2's again. I think DH is just wanting her to eat faster. He just needs to get over it.

[dreemkin]

Age: 15 (edited bc i guess DH doesn't know how to count weeks)

Oz/bottle & bottles/day: 4oz 7xs a day.

Comments/concerns/rants/raves: I am debating #2 size nipple as well. Unrelated, Anna has started pooping every other day instead of every day. The consistency is like maconium (sp?) again; dark and really thick. I will ask about it at her 4 mo apt in a few weeks.

GTKY: this is #2 for us and it's definitely been a bigger change overall than just one. Although, we are more "relaxed" about some things, going out for shopping or eating or whatever seems like a big production now. Norah (her big sis) has been GREAT! She has adjusted waaay better than I thought she would. I'm happy they are so close in age!

[taberbtb]

jensoprano82 that's exactly how I feel about a second at this point! Hopefully LO starts gaining better with a few extra oz!

abseptember DD eats about the same frequency during the day with only 1 feed in 12hrs overnight. Do you use the probiotics regularly or just for a short period when an issue arises?

dreemkin B went through a phase of similar colour/consistence awhile ago. I don't know what caused it but it passed after 4-5 days

[abseptember]

May 16, 2015 16:51:04 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

jensoprano82 that's exactly how I feel about a second at this point! Hopefully LO starts gaining better with a few extra oz!

abseptember DD eats about the same frequency during the day with only 1 feed in 12hrs overnight. Do you use the probiotics regularly or just for a short period when an issue arises?

dreemkin B went through a phase of similar colour/consistence awhile ago. I don't know what caused it but it passed after 4-5 days

I used the probiotics everyday for a week until I noticed the improvement in poop/gas. Now I do every other day or every 3 days. If I notice they are more gassy or poop is getting gross again, then I make sure to do give it on that day.