Baby refusing to finish feeds

[Mococo1]

Hi all my little one usually only has max 5oz at a time during a feed (he is bottle fed and 16weeks) however the past 2/3 weeks or so he has been a nightmare to feed! Keeps having 2/3oz then refusing the rest of his bottle?

He’s lost some weight now! I assumed it was because he was a bit poorly 3 weeks ago however he is much better but still super difficult to handle when feeding!

He just chews on the bottle/pushes back/would rather smile at me or physically pushes the bottle out of his mouth with his hands

I have even tried longer hours between feeds but to no avail! Will still only eat the same amount and despite eating less during the day he’s still sleeping through as per normal and doesn't even cry for a bottle

I took him to the docs who have said he is not dehydrated despite him losing weight and having less than half his feeds and that he is probs just 'teething'

He weighs around 12.5lb (used to be 13 but has lost weight) and used to eat around 25oz a day now he's barely having 14oz

Any advice?
i use MAM bottles and size 2 teat (2-4months), I have tried changing the teat up and this hasn't worked
I have invested in new bottles and teats and baby still won't finish milk/take anymore
I have tried teething gel/granules/calpol for his gums

Is there anything else I can do to up his milk intake?

I wouldn't be happy with that either. At 12lb he should be taking roughly 30 floz a day.

I also wouldn't be happy with the GP dismissing weight loss in such a young baby so casually.

Could you book an appointment with the GP again today and get them to check his ears, throat and tummy as problems with those can all affect feeding.

How often is he taking the bottle now? Have you tried him every 2 hours? I'd also introduce a dream feed.

They checked all of those! I thjnk I will call the health visitor today to see what they suggest

I have tried dream feeding him but he doesn't seem to respond to that either I might get an extra oz if I do dream feed ☹️but he's not always asleep for me to do so☹️

Personally I'd skip the HV and go back to the GP and ask fir a referral to a Paed. Babies actually losing weight is unusual and should be taken seriously by the GP.

Until you see the GP, I'd offer a bootie every 2.5 hours, try a dose of Calpol to see if that encourages him to take more.

Personally I wouldn't want to leave a baby who was losing weight overnight without a feed.

Could you feed him at 10pm, maybe change his nappy and stroke the bottom of his feet whilst you feed.

I'd also feed him again at 1am. If you've got a partner one could do the 10pm and one could do the 1am.

*offer the bottle.

Sorry about the typos.

@Mococo1 not sure if you have looked into bottle aversion but if not, take a look and see if anything sounds like your little one. If so, I’d strongly recommend reading Rowena Bennett’s book on the topic x