Please help! Bottle refusing 21 week old

[Clarabell78]

My ds has been bottle fed from 4 weeks old. Up until 4 weeks ago was drinking 6oz every 3 hours. He has now started fussing and refusing his milk and I am struggling to get 3oz into him every 4 hours :-( he was sleeping through the night until this happened and is now up at least twice and waking at around 5am for the day. I have introduced small amounts of solids (following Gina ford, early weaning). Have tried faster teat, slower teat, different bottle all together, different formula. Am fairly sure he isn't teething as doesn't appear to be in any discomfort. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm really getting to the end of my rope and starting to get really stressed with the whole situation :-(

Are the solids maybe filling him up too much? Could you offer milk then solids?

I do offer the milk first but it makes no difference. We were having this problem before we started the solids and only giving him a tiny amount (about a tablespoon) twice a day. I'm reluctant to stop the solids as he enjoys them so much and it seems a shame but If I need to I will.

Perhaps also post on the weaning boards to see if anyone there has any wisdom? I'm sorry not to be of more help.

Thanks so much for your reply :-)

Does it matter if he is gaining weight? Is he gaining weight? You could give more food. A few years ago, a baby would have quite a mixed diet at 5 months in terms of variety. He can get milk this way, banana and milk, yoghurt, anything mashed with milk! Why does the amount have to be regimented? X amount every X hours? Sounds to me as if he is hungry. Some babies need more food earlier than others and I think he wants food and less milk. There is nothing wrong with early weaning. When mine were babies everyone started at about 3 months. Fads come and go. Just give him more food. It really will not do any harm now you have started.

Thanks Milly! I guess because all the advice is so geared to 6 months it makes me a bit scared of giving him more food but what you've said above is reassuring. I think he genuinely has just lost interest in milk and I know that so long as he's not losing weight I shouldn't be so focused on the amount. It's my first so I'm probs a lot more stressed than I should be! :-)