7 Common Questions About Formula and Colic

If your baby suddenly refusing formula, it's easiest to start with what not to do. Don't turn the eating experience into a struggle. It's frustrating for you and can create very negative associations around food for your child. There are changes you can make, but you need to work within his constraints.

Check with your pediatrician any time that your child's feeding habits change. If your baby's doctor reports that your little one is continuing to thrive by growing and developing on target, it is best not to worry in the short-term, especially since most food refusals are only temporary.

But, I understand that food refusal for many parents can be both frustrating and even frightening. And there are indeed a few things that you can do.

First, be aware of the amount of juice and water your baby is getting. Juice is never an essential part of a child's diet, and too much juice and/or water can reduce the amount of the more nutritious formula your baby wants. Second, ask your pediatrician if your baby is old enough for you to enhance his formula consumption by mixing it with cereal. Lastly, if your baby is old enough, you can also add formula to his solid foods as well as increase the variety in his solid diet by adding a new food once a week. This may give you even more opportunities to mix in some formula.

If your baby's refusal continues for several more weeks, have him weighed and assessed at your pediatrician's office once again to be sure he is continuing to thrive.