4 month old fussing and refusing bottle

[Chocolateyclaire76]

My LO has never had any issues with feeding but for the past couple if days she keeps pushing bottle away, squirming and really fussy every time I feed her. She managed 60ml at 7.30am, 120ml at 11am, 120ml at 3pm and then luckily a bigger 200ml at bedtime. She woke in the night but only had 90ml. Every feed is a drama and I just don't know what to do. I feed in a quiet room away from distractions but it doesn't help.

She's teethed on and off for a bit and her cheeks usually go red but they aren't at the moment.

I don't know how forceful I should be when trying to feed her? It's taking me so long that it's eating into too much time between bottles meaning she won't be as hungry for the next!

Despite the lack of red cheeks I would still say this sounds like classic teething. Have you tried rubbing some teething gel on her gums?

Im having the exact same problem. My LO has fussed for a long time (since 4 weeks) and was advised by HV to use comfort milk as DD was clearly uncomfortable after feeding. This helped for a while, but then fussing and crying started again. Back to docs, who prescribed gaviscon (suspected Silent reflux) at 10 weeks old. We have been using it since(she is now nearly 17weeks) and up until a week ago she has been 100% better. Last week she woke up a lot in the night after previously sleeping through and even fussed over her feed after 9 hours sleep when so I know it isn't lack of hunger causing it. She has been chewing on her hands and anything she gets her hands on and dribbles a lot, so teething does seem like a likely culprit.

I have also started to use regular formula milk rather than the comfort on some feeds as I know comfort milk doesn't taste too great so thought a change in taste may help. She still fusses a little, but she is taking the regular formula much quicker than the other bottles. Don't know if this is due the the taste or the fact the milk is thinner so easier to get out of the teat.

Changing milk could be an option?? Im under pressure from well meaning mum to start weaning onto baby rice, as she thinks DD doesn't like milk, but have held off as feel filling her tummy with a small amount of unnutritious baby rice will just mean that she will take less milk??

Hope you find a solution soon and it passes. I know how frustrating it is and how you come to dread feeding in public as I am in your situation.

Im sure it is just another phase and you will find a way to muddle through. Us mums are very resourceful and capable xx

So in the space of a day she had 600 ml. That doesn't sound too bad to me tbh. As you say yourself trying too hard just makes her less hungry next time. She's probably just having couple of days where she isn't that hungry. Just try not to worry, her feeding will probably pick up again in a couple of days.

dd1 was always like this, the Dr banned me from looking at the side of the bottle. Her weight gain was always exactly on the line.