Struggling today! Baby not happy with bottles

[GeorgesMummy5224]

I'm not having a good day today. I struggle with anxiety especially about my baby's feeding.

Pretty sure (and really hoping) my little one is teething. We can see 2 little lines on his gums and they look a little swollen. The last couple of days, his feeding has gone downhill.

He's started gulping his bottles. As if to drink as quick as he can so he can finish.

Yesterday evening he wasn't keen on taking his bottle and when he did, he was stiffening his body and arching his back as if it was uncomfortable. He has done it with every feed today except first thing this morning.

Teething powders don't seem to be helping anymore, I tried Calpol before his last bottle and although he did finish it, he was not happy for the first half of the feed. I think he only finished it because he was tired and couldn't be bothered to fight it.

Has anyone experienced the back arching/stiffening/gulping with a teething baby?

He has the beginnings of a bottle aversion a few months ago and I'm so scared it's starting again 😭

I am having exactly the same issue right now! Baby is 4 months, pretty sure he's teething and has started arching away, turning his face and sometimes hitting bottle away with his hands. This morning he even started crying the second I got him into the feeding position!

I managed to get him to have most of his last couple of feeds by immediately taking bottle away when he got agitated, then trying again 10 mins later. After 3 attempts I stopped to try and stop him feeling pressured.

For what i think is teething I've been giving him Ashton & Parsons gel which seems to help. It's not got any anaesthetic/pain relief so I think maybe it's just the brush on his gums that helps?

Sounds like wind/colic Try to keep him upright when your feeding and use anti colic bottle so to limit the air

I'm sorry you're going through the same thing but it's also reassuring to know it's not just me. Your little one sounds just like mine. He started to refuse bottles about a month ago but would take them if he had Ashton and Parsons powder half an hour before. It's all gone a bit tits up since the heat to be honest, although I think that's a coincidence! I've been trying not to pressure him too much but i sometimes find myself doing it without meaning 😞

He's just turned 6 months old and never been a colicky baby. I sit him as upright as I can, we use Mam anti colic bottles, he's been on size 3 teats for 2 months and I pace feed. I'm not really sure what else I can do??

So on the last feed my little man started to get upset as soon as I picked him up to feed him. He eventually managed just over half a bottle and immediately started on his own hand and also my shoulder at one point. Really hoping this is teething and they come through soon!

@GeorgesMummy5224 try giving him some nurofen. It's better than Calpol for teething because it's anti inflammatory. Hope he feels better soon

I think I'm going to try the nurofen today. My main worry is that this is not teething and is actually something else. His gums look exactly the same as the other day. I've never heard of a baby gulping the bottles and stiffening their body when sitting to feed/feeding while teething.

They stiffen their back because the teat touches the gums and it hurts. Gulping to get it down faster to stop the pain. Try the nurofen and hopefully it makes a difference

That's what I'm hoping. Thank you 😊 fingers crossed things get better

Teething can definitely make feeding harder. The gulping and arching back might be his way of expressing discomfort. Try adjusting the nipple flow, changing feeding positions, or offering smaller, more frequent feeds. Sometimes a chilled teething ring or a cool washcloth can help soothe him before a feed. If the issues continue, a quick chat with your pediatrician might be helpful. Hang in there you’re doing great!