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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Baby refusing feeds - help!

14 replies

hallesmelly · 03/12/2022 18:02

My 7 month old dd has CMPA and is on Neocate. We are also in the early stages of weaning. Just lately she has been refusing her bottles, it's never been an issue before but she has started pushing bottles away or just refusing to open her mouth to take them. Sometimes if I really persevere I can get her to take an oz or two but it's a real battle. Funnily enough she will still take 3 big 6oz feeds before bed, during the night and in the early hours no problem. It's just the daytime bottles she's not having.

As we are weaning I wondered if the food is making up for her bottles but it can't be. She's not having anywhere near enough in volume to drop her daytime bottles. I think what's more likely is she's now trying new flavours and realising how disgusting CMPA milk actually tastes.

I'm really worried but what can I do? I can't force a feed down her if she doesn't want it. Has anyone got any advice or experience of this?

OP posts:
upfucked · 03/12/2022 18:05

She is reverse cycling. It’s very common at this age and especially among babies with cmpa allergies for some reason. Try feeding her in a darken quiet room during the day, she maybe just too interested in her surroundings.

Original poster
hallesmelly · 03/12/2022 18:18

Thank you for replying I have never heard of that before. I have noticed she is distracted easily by people coming in the room, the dog, and so on.
So I'll try that. Although I did try going in a quiet room today and she still fussed around and barely took anything. I just don't want her to drop weight.

OP posts:
PronounsBaby · 03/12/2022 18:21

Would it be possible to also do some skin to skin while feeding? This has helped my little did the same but the big difference was were breastfeeding....

shard5 · 03/12/2022 18:22

We used to have a road track noisy toy in the boys room so I would turn that on which distracted her and she'd feed otherwise the tiniest of sounds and she'd turn away and refuse to feed.
Do you have flashing toy or light toy, something that will mesmerise her enough to take the bottle?

PritiPatelsMaker · 03/12/2022 21:26

Have you tried adding anything to the Neocate like Vanilla Essence or Nesquik? It might make it more palatable?

gemloving · 03/12/2022 21:29

One tip: never force a bottle. Take her lead. She knows if she's hungry / thirsty. Forcing creates a negative association with the bottle and it can then lead to complete refusal. I'm not saying you do but if she refuses just say, ok I can see you don't want it now, shall we try a little later. I would just skip it, it's just a phase.

gemloving · 03/12/2022 21:32

The sometimes of I really persevere - don't persevere. If you don't want to eat, you wouldn't want anyone shoving it in your face constantly (I know this sounds mean but just think about it from that perspective). It's kindly meant, honestly. She could just be off food for some reason, she'll take the bottle again real soon but don't force or persevere x

Original poster
hallesmelly · 04/12/2022 08:30

I only persevere because sometimes she will take it after a while of messing about. But I get what you mean, if she doesn't want it she won't want it thrust in her face. It's just worrying. Last night she didn't even finish her night time bottles so over the course of 24 hours she had about 20oz of Neocate and a few spoonfuls of purée. It doesn't seem enough.

OP posts:
gemloving · 04/12/2022 23:05

I@hallesmelly she won't dehydrate and won't lose weight on that but keep an eye, see how she does in a week if she likes her milk before. Trust her, she's got this. She might have a bug and is off her food a bit.

Sending hugs. I know it's hard x

Laura9585 · 29/01/2023 19:14

@hallesmelly is your baby now taking the bottle again? I’m having the same problem! My baby has a 6oz bottle at 8am and then doesn’t want another one for 7 hours and then only has 4oz. She’s always had 6oz every 3 hours in the daytime and I’ve not even began weening yet as she’s only 4 months

DME2 · 29/01/2023 21:24

I have a 12 week old baby with a soy and dairy allergy. So she’s been on Puramino formula and Omeprozal for her reflux. We’ve been breastfeeding with top ups. But past week she has given up her bf and I’ve been pumping through the day only to get maybe 10ml a day. Is there anything I can do to get my milk back?

Or is this it? I really wanted to be able to bf her for another few months at the very least. By breasts have lost that full shape now and I feel sad I’ll no longer be able to breastfeed. Can I bring the milk back?

PritiPatelsMaker · 30/01/2023 07:12

@DME2 sounds like you've both had a really rocky time.

I would call one of the BFing Helplines who will be able to give you information and support.

Have you got their numbers?

Drew1978 · 30/01/2023 12:31

PritiPatelsMaker · 30/01/2023 07:12

@DME2 sounds like you've both had a really rocky time.

I would call one of the BFing Helplines who will be able to give you information and support.

Have you got their numbers?

I don't have the numbers - could you pass them on please? Thank you

PritiPatelsMaker · 30/01/2023 17:01

No problem. The BFing Helpline numbers are here and you might find some support at your local BFing Support Group Flowers

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