Baby refusing to take bottle

[Lottieb1]

My 4 month old has fed from a bottle since 1 week old, and we have never had any problems - regularly drinks 30+ oz a day (and weighs in at a hefty 18lbs!).

However, over the past couple of weeks, feeding has become increasingly difficult, with LO continually squerming whilst feeding, pulling away from the bottle, spitting it out, and sometimes even screaming at it. He can be encouraged to feed sometimes by changing his position (e.g. lying on his back on my knees), but it is getting worse at each feed. this evening before he went down to sleep he cried and tried to get away from the bottle for 15 minutes (despite being hungry) before deciding to take it and then drink 5 oz... This is usually one of his easiest feeds.

We have tried changing the teats on the bottles from 2 to 3, but the 3 is still too fast flowing and we have the same problems. We have also tried winding him more than usual in case this is the problem, but nothing seems to work.

I should point out that he is having almost the same amount of milk as usual so not concerned about this, but just concerned that where LO used to drink a 6/7 oz bottle in 10-15 minutes, it is now taking around 45-60 mins and he is getting distressed at most feed times. Any ideas what this could be?

 

[bloodbinds]

Possiblt reflux or teething. Go to your HV or GP and explain, if it's either they can advise things which can help

 

[Lou+Bubs]

Lucie has been like his for a few weeks now, and will only take on average 25oz. The HV could not help me as she is still gaining weight and she is not a little baby. We have also tried everything, tried changing teats, bottles, giving her Aston & Parsons. It makes feeding so stressful, Lucie is the same after crying arching her back i leave her for 5 mins then try her again and she drinks the rest of her milk. I know i'm not much help, but wanted to let you know you were not alone.

 

[Lottieb1]

Thanks for your replies. It has been the same again today, lots more crying and struggling, then eventually taking the milk. I will see the HV on Monday, but like your LO, he is still gaining weight, so they probably won't be much help.

Lots of cuddles for LO then

 

[DaisyBee]

Megans doing this and I think its teething (she's been doing it for over a month now I think). She was better for 2 days so I thought she was over it - but then she went right back to it. She doesnt drink as much as she used to though... she'll only end up drinking 2-4oz.

 

[dogmom]

My LO stopped taking a bottle at 9 weeks old and never took one again. I spent months trying everything including dipping the nipple in sugar water. I bought every type of bottle and nipple I could find but he was just too stubborn. Now he's 8 months old and I still can't be away from him for more than 3 or 4 hours. It's been hard, but I guess the upside is that I won't have to worry about weaning him off a bottle when he's a year old (only the breast and the pacifier!)

 

[MrsSyd]

You're not alone hun, Erin's been doing this for the last couple of weeks, and I'm convinced it's because of her teething.

She's now started chewing on the teat, and flicking it out of her mouth, so Milk is now going everywhere. She also seems to get really frustrated and shout at her bottle, and all of this when she's hungry, so she then gets more agitated.
I found that just putting her down and waiting a few minutes before trying again seems to help.

 

[Lottieb1]

Thanks everyone. Finally discovered the problem. A few days after posting (and a couple of weeks after the problemms started), LO's ear drum burst (blood found in the ear). Although we had been to see a doctor previously, it must have been too early to tell at that stage that he had an ear inflection, which had been causing the pain, and subsequently the ear drum to burst. After a course of antibiotics, LO is gradually getting back to normal with his eating habits and is generally a lot happier.