Bottle feeding aversion

[Buffyfan26]

Hello all,

I have a 14 week old baby who appears to have developed a bottle aversion in the last weeks. He has been on formula since week 3 and has been happily taking good amounts and is between the 50 and 75 percentile.
About 3 weeks ago he started to become very fussy on the bottle and would turn his head away and not wanted the bottle. Prior to this he has had mild reflux, sometimes vomiting once a day and on the worst occasions bringing some through his nose. When this happens he is very worried looking before he vomits and then distraught after.
When he was being fussy we have held his head to help him feed as we were trying to make sure he kept enough milk down. Inadvertently we appear to have created a problem now in that he is distraught on seeing the bottle or immediately upon being put in the feeding position.
I have ordered Rowena Bennett’s book and am waiting for it. I believe you have to rely entirely on your baby’s willingness to fed? Looking for any success stories as quite horrified at him potentially drinking next to nothing over the next few days once I start!!! X

Also I have dream fed a bit as he doesn’t resist in sleep x

Anyone?

Hello. I'm so sorry you and your baby is going through this, unfortunately it looks like my 15 week old developed feeding averson too:(
Although she hasn't been diagnosed but I'm 100% sure she has reflux, we are still waiting for a pediatrician to have a look at her. Her app is in May. I have no idea how we are going to get through this as I'm already depressed about every feed being a battlefield and I cry every time my baby does want to eat. I just cant control it anymore. I was just wondering how you are getting on? You mentioned a book, I'd be interested in ordering it, i will do anything to resolve this for my gorgeous baby gir! Can I ask how are you and your baby? Would love to chat if you want to too! Best wishes xxx

@Buffyfan26 How are you getting on OP?
I've been through this with my DD so totally understand.

There's is a fantastic group on Facebook if you're following Rowena's method :

www.facebook.com/groups/babycarefeedingaversionsupportgroup/?ref=share

@Violer the book is by Rowena Bennett and is about bottle feeding aversions. I’m on day four now and seeing some improvements though we aren’t in a great place. PM me if you want to go through things?
@ShitHair thank you I have joined that group and posted! Day 5 beginning today still small volumes of milk being taken (about 12oz in day) so dream feeding also! But attitude has improved so far! X

@Buffyfan26 Keep it up! It's such a stressful time, but honestly just trust your baby. He knows what he needs :)

Hopefully the aversion will be over soon x

@ShitHair when did you see a proper improvement in your baby? How long before you would say baby was over it? X

Could have written this myself! My DS turned 12 weeks a few days ago and for the last week feeding has been a total battle. It came out of nowhere as he had 3 days where he would have 6oz every 3-4 hours and then suddenly dropped his night feed and is really fighting any feed in the day. At the moment he is having 4 feeds a day now and I usually have to initiate them rather than him showing signs he’s hungry. I was sure he had silent reflux but that seems to have settled recently. He was getting constipated on cow & gate so I changed him to kendamil 2.5 weeks ago and he seemed a lot more content, he’s much more comfortable passing wind and dirty nappies. I’m just worried as his wet nappies don’t seem to be as heavy as they used to.

OP can I ask what the first few days involve to make it difficult? I have ordered the book but doesn’t arrive until Wednesday

@Buffyfan26 Thank you. Got the book and have started the program today, I'm really struggling and have cried already a few times. She acted hungry 3 hours after her last feed, offered milk, 120ml, she had 100ml she accepted it but was twisting towards the end, looking around the room, couldn't understand her as she was still sucking and I barely held the bottle so wasnt pushing at all. Never did. I'm so hopeful! It's very hard and I'm struggling mentally!!😥 I really think its connected to her reflux, she never been diagnosed as still waiting for ped app. Gaviscon by gp only made her constipated. I'm absolutely depressed by this. Good luck. X

@Chachama so the book says that you need to trust the baby to know what about of milk they need basically and not over offer or put any pressure on them to fed. The first few days the volume of milk your baby has will be quite low and will need to be supplemented with night feeds. I’m on day 5 and my baby took 8.5oz (during the day) on day 1 and on days 2-4 took 11.5 oz in total. I have supplemented with 2 night feeds to increase his total though the book explains that there are downsides to this. Happy to answer a PM if you want x
@Violer hand hold here! My baby has taken one feed of 4oz in one go yesterday but otherwise is generally taking 2-3 oz per feed. I’m quite miserable and trying to follow the book to the letter but I think this will take a while longer yet :( x

[quote Buffyfan26]@Chachama so the book says that you need to trust the baby to know what about of milk they need basically and not over offer or put any pressure on them to fed. The first few days the volume of milk your baby has will be quite low and will need to be supplemented with night feeds. I’m on day 5 and my baby took 8.5oz (during the day) on day 1 and on days 2-4 took 11.5 oz in total. I have supplemented with 2 night feeds to increase his total though the book explains that there are downsides to this. Happy to answer a PM if you want x
@Violer hand hold here! My baby has taken one feed of 4oz in one go yesterday but otherwise is generally taking 2-3 oz per feed. I’m quite miserable and trying to follow the book to the letter but I think this will take a while longer yet :( x[/quote]
Well done for keeping strong, I'm wishing it will get better quickly for you :)
Out of interest do you just keep offering the bottle without pressure? I feel like I don't force it now as he gets quite distressed but will eventually cry and then take 2-3oz in one go. He's currently having 22-26oz a day which isn't terrible but is slightly less than he was, but that is including a dream feed at 10:30pm.

@Chachama the gist of it is you can only offer the bottle 2 times and then wait until 3 hours or until they are very strongly indicating they need it. My baby is on about 16oz a day with 2 dream feeds atm. I would have thought he needs at least 25oz ideally

Just to update you all baby is now on day 7 of this. He accepted just under 20oz during the day yesterday (some fussiness) and then we dream fed him. I’m still v anxious when feeding him but hopefully we are headed in the right direction x

Hi @Buffyfan26 I have pm’d you x

Hi guys hows your baby doing so far? She says incrrase night feed but because of teething my son refuse drinking even he woke up middle of the night i dont know what to do now seems like he prefer solid rather than bottle x

Hi all, I just wanted to ask how the programme worked for you all in the end? I’m on day 3 and seeing some improvements but coming from a dire place. Did you stick with it and did it work?

Hiya! The program is the best thing we ever did. My LG is now 12 months old and absolutely thriving. I can absolutely remember the dark days when going through the process of the program, but stick with it, get support, take time for yourself - all these words are so easier said than done but honestly trust the process ♥️ I hope you are okay and reach out for help if you need it x