Feeding help

[Coloured]

Okay so I'm completely at my wits end

My 12 week old is formula fed and since about 8 weeks it's been impossible to try and feed him — he just refuses, screams, cries and his feeds are all over the place..

Sometimes he goes 6-7 hours without a feed and then will only take about 4-5 oz, I offer him the bottle all the time and he will just refuse and refuse until he is truly hungry

Sometimes he'll only have about 20-25 oz a day and that's a good day :( he's supposed to be on about 35-40 according to his weight

He doesn't wake for a night feed and will refuse if I try and wake him — he sleeps completely through and then sometimes isn't even hungry when he wakes up

The worst thing is, he's had a case of diarrhoea for about nearly three weeks now, we've been to get him weighed and he's lost quite a bit of weight

We've also been to see the doctor who simply said we're underfeeding him?? I know this but it's not like I can force I down his throat!

They've taken samples for milk allergies etc but said it's unlikely since it only started about 8 weeks — it isn't reflux/colic as he doesn't seem in pain, just throws a massive tantrum when I try and offer him the bottle!

Anyway I'm just hoping for some words of support or similar cases, anything you think may be wrong. Every feed now is reducing me to tears because it's just so frustrating and I don't feel like I'm doing a good enough job :(

Oh dear, this sounds tough OP. You are doing a good job, these things just happen.

Have you tried changing the size of the nipple? He might be getting frustrated if the milk is coming out too fast or too slow for his liking?

Keep pestering your doctor/health visitor if weight continues to drop. Tell them what you've told us.

clarabellski thanks for your reply. He's currently on the 6m+ fast flow teats, he doesn't like variflow and there isn't anything any faster! He used to get frustrated with anything slower so they shouldn't be too fast.

I'm getting him weighed and seeing doc again next week, I'm just trying to get through until then, it's so hard

Old one this but have you tried a plastic spoon? It's slow (just a few drops at a time) but might help.

You could try syringe feeding him.

I would take photo of poo and speak to HV and ask them to recommend which GP to see and to even advise GP on the next course of action.

This is probably bad advice but I stuck a sterilised pin through our teats to alter the flow when DS was getting frustrated with the flow being too slow.

I doubt your DS' issue is something as simple as teats though so I do encourage you to keep persevering with your GP/HV if you are concerned about weight loss.