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Infant feeding

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

Baby suddenly not latching on bottle properly

9 replies

NatiBarden97 · 29/06/2024 08:03

My lo is almost 5 months and to cut a long story short, we have had a hard few months with his feeding. Experimented with the temperature of the milk and upped a teat size and we were doing really well.

We were hitting at least 40oz a day and I was so pleased we were turning a corner. Then the heatwave hit.

He was feeding fine up until Wednesday evening when he had 3oz and wouldn't have anymore. He would usually take between 8-9oz per feed. Since then his appetite has been really up and down each feed. He around a full bottle down at the end of the day.

I have also noticed he looks to be struggling with his latch on the bottle so starts gulping and also dribbling milk a fair bit again. He has been on the bigger teats now for over 3 weeks and seemed to be coping really well. He usually has the majority of the teat in his mouth but now when he starts, he just has the end until he gradually takes more in and settles down.

We are pretty sure he is teething, although no red/swollen gums so far.

I know teething could affect his appetite but does it affect how they latch onto the bottle?

I thought baby's were supposed to get easier, this is getting harder and harder!

OP posts:
RappersNeedChapstick · 29/06/2024 11:40

I honestly don't know if teething can affect latch. How is he doing now?

NatiBarden97 · 29/06/2024 14:20

RappersNeedChapstick · 29/06/2024 11:40

I honestly don't know if teething can affect latch. How is he doing now?

The first 2 feeds of the day he did really well. Took 8oz on the last feed and didn't dribble or anything once. But I've just tried to feed him again and he just won't have it. Had 2.5oz and just playing with it.

It's really getting me down and upsetting me and I just don't know what to do. I'm worried he's not getting enough but he just won't take it.

I've thought about pushing him 4 hours between feeds but would only fit 4 feeds in the day as he sleeps from 8.15pm to 7am and I don't think he would take more at each feed to make up for it.

I'm sitting here crying because I just don't know what to do 😭

OP posts:
RappersNeedChapstick · 01/07/2024 17:03

So sorry, I've only just seen your reply.

Do you think a change of milk might help? Which ones have you tried so far?

NatiBarden97 · 01/07/2024 20:21

RappersNeedChapstick · 01/07/2024 17:03

So sorry, I've only just seen your reply.

Do you think a change of milk might help? Which ones have you tried so far?

He's on cow & gate and has been all along.

We think we've nailed it down to teething...he's only had one bad feed today. The rest of the feeds we have given either anbesol or powders 20 minutes before and he has taken at least 8oz in each bottle.

Relaxing a little now...

OP posts:
RappersNeedChapstick · 07/07/2024 17:08

@NatiBarden97 if it is teething Ibruprofen is good for dental pain Wink

endofthelinefinally · 07/07/2024 17:16

Is his nose blocked? How is his breathing? It is hard to latch and suck if there is any difficulty there.

Yozzer87 · 07/07/2024 17:30

I don't think teething affected any of my children's feeds. I'm a carer for a baby and also having a similar issue. For him I think it's a combination of colic and recently he's had a stuffy nose. He can be very hit and miss with how well he takes his bottle.

Yozzer87 · 07/07/2024 17:32

Or you could try smaller feeds more often. My baby takes 4 to 5oz every 2 hours.

NatiBarden97 · 07/07/2024 20:27

Thanks everyone. We think he's just found his preferred way to drink with these teats. Sometimes he latches differently to others but hardly ever dribbles so must not be struggling.

We think he is definitely teething. In the last week, the only time he will take his bottles (other than first thing in the morning) is to have a teething powder half an hour before. He will then take the majority of the bottle not a problem. When I tried without one, he had about 3oz and pushed it away. Every other feed he's had between 7-9oz and generally doing a lot better 😊

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