HELP!! ds teething and taking less and less from bottle, need advice asap!!

[alibo]

Please can anybody help? ds is 24 weeks(3.5 weeks prem), was just about to start weaning as milk intake had finally at last picked up to about 30-32 oz in 24hrs. Refuses to take any more than 6oz from one bottle but was happily taking a couple of top-ups. Now has started spitting bottle out after 5, and now 4oz, and is also reusing a top up of 2-3 oz a little later. His teething, whilst not causing pain as such seems to be irritating him when feeding, as he wants have his fingers in mouth at the same time!! Then after a few oz's wants to just chew on the teat and touch his gums all the time. Have tried powders, all the teething gels, anbesol, put on before feed and seems to make no difference. Also now using fast flow teat(avent 4 teat), which he seems fine with to try and get the feed down with minimal sucking, but still refusing bottle after4-5oz. This is getting worse each day and I am now getting very frustrated with the struggle every day. Was going to start weaning this weekend, but it will be difficult whilst he is having bits of feeds here there and everywhere. His weight yesterday had gone from 14.8 to 15.8 in two weeks which was great and obviously due to him taking the right amount of milk for his age/size. (before that he was only taking very small feeds, and only put on 6oz in 3 weeks.) Now he just seems to be going back to how he was before, only being able to take small amounts at one go, plus refusing any top ups to make it up!! Really don't know what to try anymore, and hv said, "oh well, try him on solids, and if it puts him off his milk further then just stop the solids" !??!! GREAT HELP THAT!! Where do I go from here?

[alibo]

Sorry third line, was supposed to say "refusing top up"!

[Chandra]

Alibo, DS gets off food everytime he is teething, for the 3rd tooth he stop eating altogether for 4 days. I would postpone weaning until he is taking his milk more regularly.

[alibo]

Thanks Chandra, I thought the same, but then thought how long do you carry on, as many people tell me that the "teething situation" can carry on for a while before anything actally comes through?!

[Joshuasmum]

Hi - I have a similar problem with my DS at the moment except he is only 15 weeks! I was trying to avoid it, but in fear of ending up with a dehydrated baby, I started using Calpol more regularly. This is the only thing that seems to take away the pain sufficiently for him to take in reasonable amounts of food although the intake is still below par (gels and powders don't seem to work for my DS either). I called my HV today in desperation and she felt it was a legitimate use of Calpol for a while. Not sure how long 'for a while' lasts though...!

[Rowlers]

Hi Alibo, my DD is now 18 weeks and been doing just the same as your DS. Firstly, don't worry - DS will eat what he needs. Do you warm his milk first? I give DD her bottle straight from the fridge and the cold seems to help her a lot. It's also July - hot weather may also affect how much they eat? I've started weaning and it;s been really hit and miss as to whether she'll eat it or not. She's really not sure at all. I'm lucky in that DD is sleepung through from 8pm till 6am each night so I'm in no hurry to wean. Take it day by day - if DS is hungry, he'll eat. if not, don't worry. Oh, one other thing - DD is often very thirsty ATM and she seems to get her appetitie back after a drink of water. Any help? Good luck!

[alibo]

Thanks for replies folks, yesterday think his total intake added up to about 28oz over 6 feeds here there and everywhere!! Joshuasmum, how often do you give the calpol, and when does he have it in relation to his feeds? Did give ds some infadrops yesterday(paracetamol in concentrated form), but it didn't help him sleep any better at lunchtime, he woke up after an hour obviously a bit hungry after 2 5oz bottles at 6.30 and 10.30am, and refused his normal top up at 12.00midday before nap. Took 4oz at 1.30 and another 3oz at 4.00, which is nothing like his normal feed times. Rowlers, when does she take the water and how much ?; ds has always refused water and never sure at what point between feeds to offer it. Not sure he would be keen on cold milk, he sometimes only takes a bit extra if its still warm, or a freshly warmed bottle, seems to reject it when its gone cold. Still very undecided on how long to delay weaning, as yesterday even tried to give him some milk off the spoon in desperation, and took the spoon well into his mouth and waved his arms excitedly!! Then pulled his face when he realized it was milk!!???