Weaning is shite

[littleginger]

DD was born with a big appetite and really enjoyed her bottles. She has reflux but this was only ever issue after bottle so she never had any negative associations. We alays joked how easily she would take to weaning.

Well due to reflux hv recommended early weaning at 17 weeks so started with purees which went alright - dd took quite a good portion and tongue thrust wasnt a problem. However her reflux got worse at roughly same time timeso we held off on solids as a means of elimination. Dd was then prescribed infant gav and didnt want to interfere so didnt reintroduce solids until everything had settled down. This time round dd spt out purees and pulled her face a lot with everything i tried but persevered. Then dd got a cold and just trying to coax her into feeding bottles was enough so yet another interruption. Started up again and she refuses to take even one spoon and cries!!

She is now 24 weeks, very interested in watching me and dp eat and isnt far off sitting up so i thought perhaps the purees were the problem. For 3 days i have tried steamed carrot sticks, cucumber and today was banana. But shes just not interested! She'll suck anything that is inedible however!

Dunno what to do. Im a bit stressy because this isnt what i was expecting but also i feel like the clock is ticking. I always hoped Dd was fully weaned by time im going back to work and she nursery but we seem to be going backwards. Am i worrying about nothing?

Should i just back off again? Every time i hve for other reasons weaning has been more rubbish on reintroduction. But i dont want to make her cry by persevering!

Also although dd is basically recovered from her cold, she is still rubbish with her bottles. It can take up to an hour to feed her her usual because she randomly screams and refuses after a while.

I know the last bit is a symptom of reflux but i feel it is unconnected.

Any experts got any advice please

Sounds like you are having a tough time. First I'd look up the reflux support thread in the breast and bottle section, you should get some good support there.

Has dd ever been checked for tongue tie? It could be the issue behind refusing bottles and solids.

How old will she be when you go back to work?

For the moment I'd concentrate on getting the formula into her and don't offer solids or just offer once a day. Bathe is no reason why she should be having any solids at this age so don't feel under pressure. Weaning sound be more about exploring taste and texture rather than filling them up.

My dd didnt get on with the spoon or purees very well either. We ended up any attempt at feeding her pretty quickly and just gave her what we were having.

Have a Liitle rest from weaning for a few days at least and try to relax

I would stick with milk for a while. My DD was sitting up unaided at 5 months, started weaning at 6 months but to be honest she didn't really "get it" until at least 7 months. She's 8 months now and eating well but still has 5 milk feeds a day. Health visitor has been on at me since 5 months to get her on three meals a day and cut her milk right down but I'm not convinced all babies are ready for solids at 6 months, nevermind earlier.

Cheers for your replies! I definitely overthink everything. I dont go back until August so theres plenty of time.

I had heard of tongue tie but never knew what went along with it! Alot of those symptoms do occurr with dd!!! All except for the lack of mobility with tongue haha. Dd seems to have a massive tongue and likes to show me it frequently.

I will have a closer inspection once dd wakes from her nap!

If lots of the symptoms sound familiar, its definitely worth getting checked out. Upper lip tie sometimes can be an issue, my DS has both. Might be worth googling pictures of upper lip tie too

If you don't go back till August I'd just aim to be offering her one meal a day by then, might take the pressure off a bit. And I'd take your HVs comments with a pinch of salt. At 24 weeks the HV shouldn't be recommending even starting solids.

Thanks JJJ i tried to check inside dd's mouth which obviously proved impossible! Ill have to wait for a real screaming fit which will add a funny sort of anticipation to a normally unpleasant situation! I see a new hv shortly too so can ask for advice then also.

Thanks for the info though. I think if hv was bombarded with all tge questions i ask / search for on mn id have been carted off to the loony bin

Hi similar story here but opposite with solids my lo with silent reflux loves his solids but has been dreadful with bottle since getting cold which possibly made reflux worse ? Am scared to give too much solids in case his milk amounts goes down further he is taking 2 oz in morning 4 oz at next 2 bottles then 6 at bedtime and dream feed ( only 2 bottles he takes well !)

Am hoping this will settle once reflux settles again.

Hv told me to give solids with milk ie porridge and rice mixed with fruit and veg.

at little