mixed fed baby wont take bottle anymore

[Raynasmum2015]

My DD is 12 weeks old and has been mixed fed from birth. However since about 9 weeks she has refused point blank to take a bottle. She took FF and BF fine up until then but now if I try to give her a bottle she screams blue murder and just won't take it. I don't mind BF but she feeds every hour and a half and I just can't cope anymore. I can't even express and ask someone else to give it to her because I'm a single mum (please don't judge me) and I don't have anyone around who can help, I have not slept in weeks and I just can't manage anymore. Please help!

The doctor did prescribe feed thickeners to begin with but they just made things worse tbh. it's definitely reflux because she vomits up an awful lot and has all the textbook symptoms of reflux.

My DS did this. I'm sorry to say he never took a bottle again.
Does your mum live anywhere nearby to take DD for an afternoon to let you have a sleep?

My twins slept better in the night if they took loads of feeds from about 6pm to 10pm.

This is the time of day when you are tired and milk production is lower, so you need to have a good meal, plenty of fluids and put your feet up for the evening.

I used to plan my whole day around this, so I would get that little scrap of good sleep - couldn't function without it.

Have you tried breast compressions to get more of the fatty hindmilk through to her? Can you feed lying down at night and leave her latched on while you sleep?

Sleep deprivation isn't funny. But it doesn't last forever. Sorry I can't offer advice on getting her to take a bottle, I was desperate for my second child who fed round the clock to take a bottle of ebm so I could sleep. She never did.

You tube video the technique for breast compressions btw. Does she latch well? Is feeding comfortable? Just wondering whether tongue tie or poor attachment could be contributing to her waking so often? Is there a breastfeeding support group locally that you could go to?

Have you tried a latex teat?

Could you try cup feeding instead of bottles. It's a bit messy and takes practice to get the hang of it but it might be worth a try.

If she has reflux has anyone suggested a cows milk protein intolerance? It takes a while to build up, which is why she might have been ok before, but it can make feeding very stressful as it makes reflux worse/can cause reflux.

She may be refusing the bottle if she associates it with being in pain...

Perhaps see if you can try some hypo-allergenic formula?

One of mine didn't like the standard teats, so I got him a wide-mouthed bottle with a teat that is quite boob-shaped, which he took to straight away. Might that help?

I meant to say it can take a while to build up* - more severe intolerances can show themselves quickly, but ordinary formula may be making her uncomfortable.

Hi Crispy fern, my mum passed away 17 years ago so that wouldn't be possible

Hi Bird, we've tried hypoallergenic formulas, she had chickenpox when she was 8 weeks old and spent a week in hospital, during the time she was in there they tried a hypoallergenic milk then and it didn't make any difference

Yes I've tried various types of teats including the tommee tippee closer to nature latex ones, but she's very clever and she knows the difference. She starts pulling at my top whenever I try to give her any type of bottle

It sounds like you are having a tough time, lots of hugs. My ds was able to feed with me lying down if he lay face down on my chest and put my nipple in his mouth that way, I don't know if that would help with the small chest issue? You'd obviously only want to try it once she has good head control.

Hi Lentil, luckily she already has very good head control, in fact she was turning her head from side to side ever since birth so I might give it a go. She's quite long though lol