23 week old refusing to eat

[Clarabell78]

Please please help!! I don't know what to do anymore. My 23 week old baby has been refusing the bottle after 1-2 oz for the last few weeks and I am at the end of my rope. He used to take 6 oz every 3 hours reliably but now I struggle to get him to take 3oz every 4. I've tried changing teats to faster/slower, changing formula, changing bottles, changing the temperature of the milk. NOTHING works. He seems fine in himself. Isn't constipated, isn't teething, doesn't have a temperature. Every feed is a battle and I'm worn out with it. I actually dread feeding him! I moved him from a 3 hourly to 4 hourly feeding schedule as I thought that would help but it has made no difference whatsoever. I've even tried introducing solids in very small amount but I don't think he's ready as he refuses after 2 tiny mouthfuls. Please please somebody help me. I don't know what to do anymore. The guidelines for his weight say he should be taking around 35oz a day. On a very good day he will take 15. I appreciate all babies are different but surely this isn't normal?

Clarabell, how stressful for you :(

This is something to share with your HV - is she good and easily contactable?

Some things to discuss with her:

• going with his flow....so if he wants to take 1-3 oz every 2 hours then g with it
• checking his mouth for thrush which could cause him pain
• trying with a cup
• not fighting or struggling as this makes the behaviour worse

Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks so much for your reply. I've seen the health visitor/s a few times now but unfortunately they have been pretty useless up to now :-( it seems like they are very wary of giving any advice nowadays just in case it comes back to bite them! I would be more than happy if he wanted to feed less but more frequently but he won't do that either so I'm really really stuck. Am going to go to the health visitor clinic on Tuesday and give them another go but I think because he hasn't lost any weight they won't take me too seriously :-((

Oh and cup is a good idea I will give that a go! :-)

If he's not presenting any weight problems then you can prob just chill about it! The hvs may not be giving advice cos they don't think there is anything to worry about, not because they are scared to. He may be taking what he needs despite it differing from the pack. Ask again about the whole thing and see if just accepting it is ok.