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Original poster

is it wrong to force feed a baby?

53 replies

tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:39

my son is 8months old was 7 weeks prem and has started refusing feeds along with a number of other problems. hes been dropping in weight and currently weighs 10lb14oz so was wanting to know is it wrong to try forcing him to drink his bottles

OP posts:
controlfreakyagain · 27/04/2008 18:40

what do you mean "forcing"? how would / could you "force" him?

cazboldy · 27/04/2008 18:40

you have to ask?

avenanap · 27/04/2008 18:41

Yes. It's very wrong. He'll remember it and have a food problem for years to come. Have you spoken to your HV? What's he eating?

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:41

he has special bottles because he has a cleft lip and palate so i already have to squeeze the milk into his mouth

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 27/04/2008 18:42

how would you force him? what else have you tried? what about offering a little but often? rather than big bottles a few times a day?

Fllight · 27/04/2008 18:43

Please don't do this
It is not advisable

At best you could miss the real issue here
he needs to be seen to figure out why he is having problems

Please don't even consider it. He is losing weight for a reason and needs to be sorted out by a professional like your DR or HV.

hercules1 · 27/04/2008 18:43

Yes, it's wrong. If he is dropping in weight you need to get some proper medical advice.

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:43

yes the health visitor is monitoring him he was at the hospital last night and hes being seen by peadiatrics. i just dont know what else to do. but i take it that it is wrong but i just dont want him to keep falling. he on sma higher energy formula but that wont be any usse if he refuses to drink it.

OP posts:
avenanap · 27/04/2008 18:44

If he's having alot of problems and loosing weight you really need to take him to the GP/consultant at the hospital. He would probably benefit from having a tube down his nose so that you can top his feeds up. There are disadvantages to this though but you really should be getting some professional help, diatician included.

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:44

i wont do it. im going to take him back to the hospital tonight.

OP posts:
Fllight · 27/04/2008 18:45

In that case you really do need to have him checked out to make sure he is able to feed Ok, it might be a problem to do with his mouth, please try and see your HV or consultant if you have one asap x

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:45

he has an appointment with dietician but its not for a couple of weeks

OP posts:
Fllight · 27/04/2008 18:46

Oh pet what a worry for you, I can see why you would think of doing it, but there has to be another way.

Glad you're being sorted out at the hospital, hope they can give you an answer and help him, poor little mite x

Fllight · 27/04/2008 18:47

Tell them what you told us. They need to know if he isn't having his milk. Don't just nod and so on, actually argue with them if you need to, make sure they know exactly how concerned you are.
Good luck

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:51

hes been so tierd all day and is asleep at the moment. i hate seeing him like this and he just seems to be passed from pillar to post and not getting anywhere he is breathing really fast which is why hes so tierd he has an inhaler and the dose has been trippled but its having no effect. he was given steroids last night and 3 in a row goes on the nibuliser and chest xray. hes still the same. nobody seems to be doing anything thats making a difference and i just want him to be healthy so thats why i was considering it as he needs his milk to have the energy to fight whatever it is thats wrong

OP posts:
avenanap · 27/04/2008 18:51

If he has a cleft lip and palet he may not be able to suck, it's probably upsetting him when he's feeding because he can't do it. There's nothing wrong with him having a NG tube, at least you will know that he'll be getting the feeds that he needs. I know that you are despirate but force feeding isn't the way to go. It's distressing for a child, I've seen parents do this. Having an NG tube is also distressing, it doesn't hurt and only needs doing once. Phone them up and tell them that he's not feeding and that you are concerned.

NotABanana · 27/04/2008 18:54

You really must not force feed anyone never mind a baby.

FluffyMummy123 · 27/04/2008 18:55

Message withdrawn

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:55

im waiting on my cousin coming so i can usse her phone. i have told them all this and they were going to keep him in because he wasnt feeding but then another doc came and let us go. he has been fine feeding right up until a couple of weeks ago hes alway been up and down in weight even when he was feeding great and now he not feeding.

OP posts:
Fllight · 27/04/2008 18:55

I think if he were able to do it, he would, so the fact he isn't means it must be painful or uncomfortable or really hard for him, so don't force it.

I hope someone can make him (and you) feel better when you go in tonight. It must be absolutely agonising for you, I would be a mess if my baby was struggling like that xx

controlfreakyagain · 27/04/2008 18:56

sound v hard for you (and him) tasha. keep pushing for help and advice won't you?

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:57

oh no, i would never hold his nose or anything like that i didnt mean force in that way more feeding him the way i normally do but when he refuses persivere iykwim

OP posts:
Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:58

thanks for all your advise and keeping me sane ill let you know how he gets on

OP posts:
Fllight · 27/04/2008 19:00

I know what you mean sweetie.
But I still think no, because he's got a reason why he;s refusing iyswim.

Its just a matter of working out what that reason is.

Hope your partner is being helpful and supportive. You sound really tired, you poor thing.

quaranta · 27/04/2008 19:02

poor little boy and poor you how upsetting, sounds like you have been through a lot. advice here is right though, PLEASE DON'T FEEL YOU HAVE TO FORCE FEED HIM. as others have said there will be a reason why he can't take the milk and you need help to find out why. anything that they have to do in hospital will be done with great care and very gently and i hope you have someone who is looking after you too?
good luck and keep coming on here to let us know how you get on at the hospital if you have time to come back on her, good luck tasha and your little son x

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