Feeding aversion? Reflux?

[R1versmum]

Hi everyone,

My 3 month old is formula fed and at 8 weeks started refusing to feed. She would cry as soon as she was put in the feeding position and become very distressed when we tried to feed her. The doctor says there is nothing medically wrong with her.

Over the last few weeks we just stepped back and waited for her hunger cues and let her take as much milk as she wanted which was sometimes 0.5oz. She is feeding much better behaviourally but still only drinks maximum of 4oz every 4 hours and her weight is no longer following her percentile curve.

She does bring back up a few teaspoons of her feed everytime and does swallow a lot between feeds.

Just wondered if any mums had any advice or similar experience as to what might be wrong with her? Thanks xx

Yep we had this with my DS at around the same age. He had silent reflux and the feeding aversion he had with it was awful, but he did grow out of it after a month or so thankfully! He was an underweight preemie so weight was a massive concern so I used to dream feed him. Basically fed once he was drowsy/fallen asleep and this was the only way to get it in for us.

He's 9mo now and I'm so pleased that's all in the past. Was a very stressful time!

Oh and the best thing is to not force them. That makes it worse. If you try once or twice and they aren't taking it, id just leave it and then dream feed. Mine would take a full feed this way. Hopefully yours grows out of this soon too!

I'd try and see a different gp and ask about reflux.

Thanks @greenemerald thats good to hear. It has been an incredibly stressful few weeks. Did you eventually see any increase in the amount of formula your baby took once past the aversion? What symptoms did you your baby have of silent reflux if you dont mind me asking? X

Found this book very helpful for bottle aversion www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Babys-Bottle-feeding-Aversion-Solutions/dp/1976164419

Thanks @GingerBeverage we have been following this book since she started. Its massively helped but still not sure if there is some underlying issues like reflux/allergies as she still isnt taking much milk x

Yep once past it he increased at normal increments. It was just a relief that he would willingly feed to be honest. His silent reflux symtpoms were fussing at the bottle, pulling his legs up, crying (A LOT) throughout the day. Also I could physically see him swallowing the vomit (hence it was silent) and he looked like he was in such pain, it was horrible.

For us the GP said it was maybe due to CMPA but this was just a guess and my intuition told me it wasn't. However we changed milk a number of times to no effect. Eventually it was just time he needed to mature. I remember it was just a survival thing at the time. Lots of cuddles, letting him sleep on me etc. Cot propped up. And we finally got through it a few months later.

@greenemerald thank you so much. You are the first person to fill me with some hope. I cant wait for this to be a distant memory x

Reflux for us slowly disappeared with some omeprazole. But as you are following the book I think it will get better and better as you allow her to lead the way. It's tough but hang in there.

@GingerBeverage thanks thats useful to know. I am too scared to give her anything in her mouth or in her milk in case she relapses x

@GingerBeverage medication wise i mean x

The dosage was minimal (it's calculated based on weight) and we distracted him and syringed it into his mouth. I think it helped, but we were having vomiting every feed.