Baby only feeds (formula) when lying flat

[andy2]

Hi,

Appreciate this may sound a bit odd and not overly concerning, but it has my Poirot senses maxed out, and my out of the home skills also maxed out!

My DD will no longer feed in my arms. She's 3 months and has been doing this for the last 4 weeks or so. She'll start drinking from the bottle then will start screaming. If I give her the bottle back when I've calmed her down, she'll maybe have another gulp then do the same again. I've tried different positions without success. However.... if I then just lay her on the bed flat, she'll take the bottle and feed. Though will kick every limb at a million miles per hour in the process of going through the bottle... I've tried different bottles, teats with no avail.

Is this normal, should I be worried? Its making being out and about very tricky, as there's more often than not no where to lie her flat, which means I look like a parent force feeding his baby all the time!!

I've read that feeding when flat is not great for her, so this concerns me as well.

Any help very much appreciated.

Thanks.

I had to feed my DS1 flat from about 4 months.n When out and about he would be in his buggy which tilted flat, at home he was in a low slung rocker chair and at bedtime, he lay in his cot. He had silent reflux so hated being held whilst feeding.

I think the only risk is that it can make them more prone to ear infections.

However, DS1 never had any whilst feeding like this.

I shouldn't worry!

Thanks addictedtofrazzles.

Did DS1 get over the silent reflux? I've heard this before as the GP isn't sure whether DD has reflux, but wondered why holding would make it worse? (As you can probably tell, I'm quite new to all this!).

Thanks.

DS1 got over it by about 7 months (was on Ranitadine to manage it) but insisted on lying flat till about 1 year!

DS2 has it as well and is now 8 months - it doesn't seem to be improving. And interestingly will only feed if bolt upright! However, from about 1-4 months old, would only feed if in a baby bjorn chair and didn't want to be held.

Good luck and do explore the silent reflux - it can take so long for a diagnosis and it is so easily treatable.

My DD is 16 months and still prefers to have her bottle whilst flat on her back. It started when she was about 5 months I think and she did have reflux - doesn't seem to have done any harm.

DS2 is the same. I sit him up after every milk feed to minimise the risk of milk pooling in his ears and giving him an infection.

Thanks everyone. Just wanted to check that I wasnt the oddest person in the world laying DD on the floor in order to feed her when out. I obviously look odd, but thats another aspect!

Thanks.