Pushing bottle out with tongue

[LindsayS79]

Hi all
To cut a long story short, I've been given neocate as docs think 5 month old has a milk allergy.
She's been pushing her bottle out with her tongue for weeks now, with both her old normal formula and the neocate. I'm really struggling to get her to take enough milk and was told she's only on the 2nd centile for length. She's not increased the oz she takes per day for the past 2 months. I thought she would take more as time went on (takes about 30 a day).
I've been giving her bits of baby rice to make up for the reduction in milk and she takes it well. The tongue thrust reflex is gone.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? I'm really worried about her intake now.

Stop giving the baby rice. It does not have enough calories or nutrition and you are basically filling her up, leaving no space for lovely fatty milk. Milk is a lot better for her at this stage, in terms of growing and putting on weight.

It is ok for her to be on the 2nd centile - as long as she hasn't dropped down there very suddenly. Centiles are there as a guide - you just need to check that she's not dropping from the 75th, down to the bottom over a week for example. If she's always been near the bottom, then chances are she's just short!
As a baby, I never even touched the bottom line! Remember, babies come in all shapes and sizes.

Is she alert, and happy most of the time? How many wet and dirty nappies do you get?

You can also try cup feeding, either using a sippy cup, or an open top cup. You may have to hold it for her, and she'll be messy with it. She may also lap at it, like a cat. Have you tried different teats, or moving up to the next size?

Thanks for the advice. She's a very happy baby and has always been a grubber! That's why I'm concerned at her sudden refusal to feed.
I've tried moving up a teat and that's helped speed her up but she still only takes about 2 oz then refuses any more. A cup is a good idea, I'll try that tmrw!
She was on the 25th centile at 6 weeks, so she's dropped 2...

My baby is 6 months old and has only just started to finish 6 oz bottles, she has 4 a day and then a couple of oz at 10 pm, I think the way cartons specify how much a baby should be drinking is wrong. We all have different appetites and so do babies, my 26 week old is only having as much as the tin says a 4 week old should be getting and she's a healthy 17 lbs on the 50th centile. I agree to ditch the baby rice, how often is she having between feeds?

Thanks. She's going about 3 hours between feeds just now. I'm worried she'll get dehydrated if she's not drinking enough.
I've just been using formula in with the rice to try and get her to take more ounces! Just wish I knew what was wring with the wee soul!

Yeah mine only goes 3 hours, she won't get dehydrated but if your worried try and give her an ounce of water a couple of times a day x

Babies are pretty good at taking what they need. If she is happy in herself and when feeding, and her weight is on a consistent centile as apposed to her height, I wouldn't be too concerned. Could be playing with the teat cos she's teething? Or just sayin 'that's enough for now mummy'. My dd was doing for 2 reasons - she was frustrated & wanting a faster flow, and she wanted to stop cos her reflux was making her uncomfortable.