7 week old angry with the bottle

[Chica1990]

Hello everyone, I was hoping someone might be able to help me with what's going on.

My 7 week old baby has been formula fed with mam bottles and would drink well over 100ml at a time, about 8 bottles over a 24 hour period.

Yesterday he kept giving hunger cues but didn't want the bottle but was happy sucking on his hands and muslin so we thought we would try a dummy. We have also been using the dummy today (and he seems like a much less angry baby) but noticed he's drinking ALOT less than normal, maybe 60ml at a time and when we try and feed him he's happy for a bit and then becomes really angry and shouts at us whenever we try and give him more of the bottle and seems happy when he has the dummy back in.

I think it's the dummy (even though he fed fine in the night) but worried he's not eating enough. DH think it may be a tummy ache. Has anyone experienced this? Any advice?

Isn't 100ml for a seven week old rather a lot? Check the NHS website though x

Possibly he's been suckling at the bottle for comfort rather than hunger and that's actually what he's looking for. A baby won't starve itself. If he's hungry he will eat

I would keep an eye on his nappies and make sure they're still nice and wet. My second baby often goes off her milk when ill. Try not to worry but obviously keep an eye out for anything else of concern.

@Stackycups

Isn't 100ml for a seven week old rather a lot? Check the NHS website though x

100mls is only just over 3oz so not that much really.

Could he be frustrated with the teat flow?
I know I switched to a bigger flow but I can't remember at what age. Definite angry baby though.
She was also angry lying down to feed as she had silent reflux. Sitting her up more helped.

Just a couple of things you might care to bear in mind.

I also came on to say do you need to change to a faster flow teat? I remember having an angry baby when the formula wouldn't come out quickly enough. I can't remember how old he was at the time though...he's 11 now!

@Franca123 good idea on keeping an eye on the nappies, I've got an app I've logged nappies and feeds on for weeks so will keel tracking as usual. He usually wees a ton (so much so I said to the HV he just be dehydrate due to weeing everything out!)

@ThisIsTrifficult funnily enough I did just up the teat flow to number 2 a week ago, a lot would dribble down (gone through lots of muslins) but he hasn't seemed unhappy about it before. I tend to feed him more upright (this is the guideline for feeding now rather than lying them down) and keel him upright for about 15 mins after winding just incase but he seems angry before sitting him up and even if we try the bottle after winding.

Then nappies comment has reminded me, he hasn't had a poo since this early this morning and usually averages about 3 poos a day atm, could it be he's not hungry because there's a lot sitting in his stomach?

Might well have a belly ache
Try circling his legs like he's cycling and gentle tummy massage. Maybe a bit of boiled water. My dS was similar in terms of constipation at this age for a few days. I have a tablespoon of orange juice and water - in water I mean and blimey. It was like a sausage factory of green poop and he was so happy!

@NelsonMandelaHouse

Possibly he's been suckling at the bottle for comfort rather than hunger and that's actually what he's looking for. A baby won't starve itself. If he's hungry he will eat

Not always true. My daughter used to fight the bottle and was really hard to feed. Then she refused to take anything at all. The reason being she was (is) lactose intolerant and needed lactose free formula.

@polkadotpjs thats interesting, what orange juice and in how much cooler boiled water? I wonder if he will be happier after a poo!

I wouldn't give orange juice to a 7 week old baby
Their bowel habits can change over time. If they have done a poo today then they don't sound constipated

Oh yes to the teat flow! Both mine were on fast flow very early.