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Infant feeding

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

4 month old refusing bottle

11 replies

dreamerkr · 11/03/2023 15:54

Sorry for so many posts! I combo feed my 4 and a half month old DS, but since the last 2/3 days he’s stopped taking the bottle. He’s been ill with a viral infection and he just keeps refusing the bottle. Whenever we try to feed him with a bottle he won’t even put it into his mouth, or he will start crying straight away. I’m really stressed and I don’t know what to do. We were using a 2 size teat and we moved to 3, but he still won’t drink using it. He’s just completely refusing the bottle and doesn’t even want to look at it. I could move onto EBM but I don’t know because I don’t think my milk supply is that high. I think so because DS doesn’t seem satisfied after a feed and usually he would almost always top up with formula, but he just won’t take that anymore. I’m so stressed, any advice guys? I thought of changing the formula, of changing the bottles, but I have a feeling that won’t work because DS refuses the bottle almost before we even try to put it into his mouth. He doesn’t want anything to do with it at all. Right now I’m breastfeeding him and I’ve also started him on some purées which he’s loving (he was definitely ready for it). He can support his head and can sit, he’s been interested in our food for a while now and at mealtimes he always gets moody as we don’t give him food. He also opens his mouth when we give him purées on a spoon. But we only just started on the purées 2-3 days ago. He’s been refusing the bottle for longer than that. Could it be because he’s been unwell? Will he start bottle feeding again when he’s completely better?

OP posts:
Twizbe · 11/03/2023 16:01

You've posted before yes?

It's too young for purées unless medically advised.

From your last post, I think he is getting enough and is preferring your boob because he's been ill.

Have you rung the NCT infant feeding line? They are open at weekends and a qualified person can talk through your concerns and perhaps help.

Mufflette · 11/03/2023 16:22

I'd definitely get proper advice as the PP said, but to slightly reassure, my 6 month old refused all feeding during the day for a week or so after he'd had Covid and just started weaning. Advice from both doctor and health visitor was to wait it out and he's now feeding normally.

dreamerkr · 11/03/2023 16:37

Twizbe · 11/03/2023 16:01

You've posted before yes?

It's too young for purées unless medically advised.

From your last post, I think he is getting enough and is preferring your boob because he's been ill.

Have you rung the NCT infant feeding line? They are open at weekends and a qualified person can talk through your concerns and perhaps help.

Yes I posted before, the GP said that we could start giving him purées. I haven’t rung them yet but I will do so because I honestly don’t know what to do anymore. I’m so stressed and he’s also sleeping so less during the day. He literally only slept half an hour during the day and has been awake all day.

OP posts:
dreamerkr · 11/03/2023 16:39

Mufflette · 11/03/2023 16:22

I'd definitely get proper advice as the PP said, but to slightly reassure, my 6 month old refused all feeding during the day for a week or so after he'd had Covid and just started weaning. Advice from both doctor and health visitor was to wait it out and he's now feeding normally.

Thank you so much. Honestly speaking, me, DH and the whole family do have symptoms of covid. I have the worst runny nose, we all have a sore throat, I keep getting a fever even though I’m taking paracetamol regularly, my whole body aches and hurts so bad. I have phlegm too and the worst face and jaw pain that I had 2 years ago when I had covid too. I still don’t care about myself I just want DS to start feeding normally again and be completely fine 😞

OP posts:
WLBalanceHow · 11/03/2023 16:48

can you spoon feed him formula so he takes it as he does his purées?

Twizbe · 11/03/2023 16:48

Sounds like you're really poorly. If your baby is poorly too he will want to feed from you more. It's comfort and medicine for him.

Ring the helpline and I'm sure they can help you feel more confident with what is happening.

Mufflette · 11/03/2023 16:53

I really sympathise, it was horrible seeing him upset because he was hungry but also upset because he was offered a feed! Fingers crossed it's something your DS works his way through soon.

dreamerkr · 11/03/2023 17:05

WLBalanceHow · 11/03/2023 16:48

can you spoon feed him formula so he takes it as he does his purées?

I tried that today too. In between his purée I tried to spoon feed him formula and he found out straight away and started crying

OP posts:
dreamerkr · 11/03/2023 17:06

Twizbe · 11/03/2023 16:48

Sounds like you're really poorly. If your baby is poorly too he will want to feed from you more. It's comfort and medicine for him.

Ring the helpline and I'm sure they can help you feel more confident with what is happening.

Thank you so much

OP posts:
dreamerkr · 11/03/2023 17:06

Mufflette · 11/03/2023 16:53

I really sympathise, it was horrible seeing him upset because he was hungry but also upset because he was offered a feed! Fingers crossed it's something your DS works his way through soon.

It’s really horrible, I want to cry. Thank you so much ❤️

OP posts:
Feedingnightmare · 12/03/2023 08:25

How are you doing now OP?

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