bottle feeding problem!

[Malsmum]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help. My 4 and a half month old is getting fussier and fussier about feeding. He's been on bottle feeds from nearly day one (medical reasons - silly, but I feel I have to explain myself). He's always been a bit fussy and easily distracted, but it's been getting worse and today was a nightmare (one feed he only took 100ml in one hour). He tends to start off OK, and then stops to burp, then cries if the bottle is offered to him again, or his new trick is to start chewing on the teat or putting his hand into his mouth at the same time. Feed times are becoming v v stressful for both of us (I know all the advice is to keep calm as babies sense when we get upset, but it's easier said than done!!). The only 'easy' feeds are when he's basically asleep.

Malsmum, sorry I haven't got any advice for you as I don't bottlefeed, but just wanted to say, please don't feel you have to justify bottlefeeding! Don't feel judged - you do what is right for you and your ds .

could he be teething? it may just be uncomfortable in his mouth.

i would offer him the bottle and let him take what he wants.
if he then cries don't bother trying to force him.... wait 5 or ten minutes and offer again

Have you changed to a faster flow teat? If not, he could be getting frustrated that it is taking him a long time to feed.

oh and try using teething gel a little bit before a feed to make his gums feel better?

mine started chewing the teat and putting his hand in when he started teething at 3 months.
it passed though, although he is still teething. now he tends to chew when hes had enough.
sorry i cant really help. x

Ds was very similar at 4mths, which is when he started teething. Used to rub Anbesol(?sp)on his gums about five mins before a feed. The other trick I used was to give him the lid of the bottle to hold or a similar basic small toy. He is 8mths now and still holds the lid for me although he now enjoys bashing it against the bottle.