Why is it so hard

[mumtosam]

I breastfed LO for 4 months (which was a struggle) and after a lot of soul searching and guilty feelings switched to formula feeding. I thought it would be better for Sam as he was rarely content when breastfed and would cry an hour, sometimes less, after a feed. In general, he is much happier, really content and doesn't cry as much. The only problem is when I feed him. He starts off fine but starts crying and pushing the bottle away after a few minutes. I am lucky if he takes 4oz per feed and that is always a struggle. He is 5 months now and should be eating more I'm sure. Its got to the point where I dread feeding him and just wish he would eat. It is really getting me down even though HV says not to worry as he is gaining weight (only aboout 3/4oz a week) and is happy. It also doesn't help that MIL makes comments like ' I've never known a baby to refuse milk' and ' I used to make mine drain every drop, why aren't you?' and ' He is awkward isn't he?'

I never thought feeding would be this hard. I love my baby so much but hate feeding him

Does anyone else have a similar problem as I am feeling really down at the moment and hope I am not alone.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

OMG ignore your MIL. What upsetting and unhelpful comments! How on Earth would she have gone about 'making' her kids drain every drop of their milk? Force feeding is awful IMO whether its milk or solids. No baby as the capacity to be awkward at 5 months either!

Anyway you're not alone in having a baby who doesn't seem to particularly enjoy sucking from a bottle. Mine doesn't either. I find it's worse when we're out or somewhere other than our living room where I normally feed her...to the point that if we feed her when out she often won't take more than 4oz when she at home she usually wants to take all of a 9oz bottle.

At this age they are more interested in looking around, wriggling and trying to be independent. I know Ruby really resents lying down in the feeding position and won't stay there for more than 10 mins.

Another thing is to remember that every baby has a unique appetite so he may only want 4oz. Especially if he was BF for 4 months. When my friends mostly BF babies get bottles, they seem to take an awful lot less than Ruby does, who has been 100% FF since 3 weeks.

 

[elmaxie]

Nathan used to drink it all but he sometimes drinks a few oz then leaves it.

I personally wouldnt force him if he is getting upset as then they might see being fed as negative and it would become worse.

I see nothing wrong with 4oz and keep offering on and offer.

Plus maybe relax a bit more as if your strung up about it he might sense it??

Emma

 

[Annaspanna]

Yes I know how u feel hun, my LO has been like this since i stopped BF about 5 days ago, personally i think she realises after 1-2oz that she is drinking from the bottle and then she cries and fusses around looking for boobies!! Its very difficult and like u i dread feeding as I know she really wants to be BF. I find that if OH gives her the bottle she's a little better, could anyone else feed ur LO for you? Nobody ever says how hard it can be!! xx