Baby Formula For 2-3 Year Old Toddler?
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at
10:57 am
Ok I would like to know if I can give my older almost 3 year old kid ocassionally cup of baby formula? I get free baby formula for my 6 month old baby and since my toddler is a very picky eater I was wondering if I can give her a cup of baby formula now and then too… I figured it has a good nutritional value and whole bunch of minerals and vitamins like breastmilk so it should not be bad right? Plus my toddler loves the taste for some reason. PS: I cannot afford to buy Pediasure.
Tagged with: Baby • Formula • Toddler • Year
Filed under: Free Baby Stuff
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I know what it’s like to buy Pediasure to make your child gain weight. It is like you need to go rob the bank!!!! It is so crazy expensive!
Does she like whole milk? At this age, I would give her that. Formula won’t kill her, though.
But I DO remember asking the pediatrician and he said formula is not adequate for their needs anymore.
I’ll end with this: Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!
Hmm.. I’m really not sure if the formula will meet the nutritional needs of a 3 yr old. Its made specifically for babies up to 12 months. Then, many formula brands offer a toddler formula for toddlers 12 mos to 24 mos.
My son was the same way. I nursed him till he was 2 and he also took the toddler formula but my pediatrician said there was nothing in it for him after 2 yrs.
I would switch your daughter to whole milk if your worried that shes too skinny. And there is nothing wrong with chicken and mac and cheese if she’ll e
You could give her carnation instant breakfast instead of formula. And start giving her whole milk instead of 2% if she is skinny. The extra fat and calories will do her good and more peds recommend it unless the kid has a weight problem.
No. That is too old for a kid to get formula, no matter how often they get it. If you start giving it to them again, that’s all they will want and they will never eat anything else.
And, yes, it has nutritional value. For a baby.
Sure. The nutritional value is great. I’m suprised that your “very picky eater” likes the taste but hey I would do it. Goodluck and God bless.
i would ask the doctor but, i think 2 are3 years old is to old for formula. my son is 3 years old and he is very picky but, i would not give him formula.
I believe that it is probably too fattening for a toddler. Maybe you could donate the unused formula to someone else in need.
i eat baby food and i’m 16!
yes it ok to give it to your toddler. It does hold a lot of nutritional value.
three is kinda too old to give formula ,.
introduce her to 2%
by the age of 2, babies should drink regular milk…
toughen that kid up and give ‘em some meat already! steak, rare!
yes mine is skinny too
mix with milk
Jeeze just give her some Ovaltine.
Why do you feed your child TEA?
Pediasure is less expensive than formula by a long shot. A 2-3 year old doesn’t need infant formula. Tea is not a good idea for a 2-3 year old either because of the caffiene and sugar (if sweetened). You need to STOP CATERING to the picky eating and be sure she is eating a larger variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables. If she refuses to eat then don’t make a fuss. Let her go and try again at the next meal. The key is no snack in between those meals. If she refuses again, follow through again. Eventually she will eat. Kids aren’t going to starve themselves but you also can’t cave in if they start crying or throwing a fit at the table over it either. In the meantime use a children’s vitamin once a day. My First Flintstones is made for kids that age and it chews up easy for them. My son uses them and doesn’t mind them at all. They are fruit flavored as well.
When it comes to food issues you the parent must win them for the good of your child. I’d also bring the issue up with her doctor and explain the situation to him/her. Not knowing how tall or skinny she really is it is hard to say if she is severely underweight or not by all this. If it gets too dire they will hospitalize her and put tubes in her to force feed her. Depending on the situation and how you handle it, then it could put you under the microscope for neglect or abuse- even if that isn’t the case!
Baby formula is nutritionally good for a baby. It does not have much value for a toddler. My first kid is a very picky eater (thank God not my second kid) and I know what a nightmare picky eating can be. The kid will eat if hungry enough. The survival instinct will kick in. Don’t feel like a bad mom if you let your kid go hungry if he or she will not eat whats in front of them. Toddlers go on weird sprees-eating only cheerios or some other favorite muchie for days but the incredible thing is toddlers will eat a balanced diet given time (even if it is only strawberries one day and cheerios the next etc). If you know that your kid absolutely hates something (like the texture of baked chicken for example) don’t force it. It will be very hard for you to follow the next one but it will help your kid now and in the future. Eat at the table and if he/she refuses to eat what is front of them, wrap up the plate and tell the child that he can have it later if he wants to. Then he needs to eat it at the table. A clean plate isn’t the goal just so the child is full. Keep a cheerful attitude so as to not make eating a power struggle. Kids also tend to like what they can make (or they will at least try it). He could probably pull off a PB&J or put cream cheese on a cracker. What helped my child was to have snacks that she could get herself from the fridge or pantry. I cut up carrots within her reach and she could get crackers from the pantry. Don’t let the kid eat for at least an hour before a meal. My second kid hated milk (she loves it now) so I made her chocolate milk to she would get the amount she needed. Having the kid help you shop and prepare food seems to help too. If you are eating play up how good it is. Oh my goodness, this is sooooooooo good etc. but my one of my kids had to be dared to eat something (Oh, you better not eat those green beans, I heard it gives children super powers and I don’t want you flying around the house, the kid eat it and act terrified that he is going to start flying.) Make mealtimes a social event so the child will eat without knowing it at times. I do the one bite rule-the kid has to try everything on his or her plate but only one bite (of course they can have more if they want). Tastebuds change over time so something he didn’t like today he might like next week. He will not get nutrition from formula. It is controversial but I believe multivitamins can supplement his diet if you are worried about him getting enough nutrition. Talk to your doctor your next visit with your kid. I did the weird mom things I called broccoli trees, called ham baloney (my kid heard baloney was really good even though she never had had it), put peanut butter celery with raisins on top and called it ants on a log and well as other things that worked with my kid. Find out what the kid finds interesting and try making food that the child will associate with it. My oldest loved to paint so I let her some things with a clean paintbrush.
Sounds like your kid like your kid doesn’t have that bad of a diet. If you feel she needs to be fattened up give her ice cream, cookies and other fattening foods. Fat is very good for the brain. Let her help. Sounds like this a power struggle and she is winning. I know you don’t want to feel like you are being a bad mom but the kid will eat after the tears (that will gradually decline and eventually go away) and a few nights of hunger. The kid will not starve. She really won’t unless she has emotional problems (which I seriously doubt she has). She will not starve. She will not starve. Kids want to feel in control of their lives (of course they can’t because they don’t have the judgement to make good choices) and she has found out that she can control this by making you feel bad. Let her have control of something she can handle. Picking out her own clothes for example. If she puts on a sweater in summer-let her (but have a cool shirt available if she complains of being hot). One day my oldest wore rainboots, a pink skirt over jeans with a purple sweater (her choice and she found out how to make good choices eventually), another day rainboots (we live in the desert) shorts and one of my shirts. Talk to other moms and see what they have tried, talk to your doctor. My kid a thing for gram crackers and she knew if she didn’t eat dinner she could have them before bed.
Yes you can give her baby formula, but try not to rely on that as her only source of calcium and nutrients….she has to eat a varied well balanced diet
Edit: To reply to your additional info… my advice would be to stop offering her mac and cheese and apple sauce and those other things…. offer her other food instead and when shes hungry she´ll eat it (once you dont give in and go buy her a burger that is)… there has never been a record of a toddler starving themselves to death and I dont think your daughter will be the first
As a mom, I find your question worrisome. I would recommend taking your daughter to a clinic to have her nutrionally evaluated. Are there any free or low cost clinics in your area? Is she not thriving as she should? I believe professionals would have the best answer for you regarding if giving your toddler formula is a good idea. Does it have the proper nutrients/fat content that she requires now. Formula is designed with babies in mind, she’s a lot older than that now.
(My children hated Pediasure. It was a waste of money for us.)
Your daughter may have food aversions due to sensory issues (?). Here is a book that may shed some light on that subject:http://www.amazon.com/Just-Take-Bite-Lor…
google’s your friend