Suggested solutions to common bottle feeding problems, whether you ususually feed your baby formula milk or breastmilk.
If your baby does not take to a bottle you could try the following:
- Get someone else to offer the bottle
- Offer it at a time when your baby is neither starving hungry nor completely full
- Feed your baby somewhere apart from where you usually sit, so that he does not assume that he will be getting a breastfeed
- Offer the bottle in the dark, so he cannot see it
- Warm the teat before offering it to him
- Try different brands of teat
- If he is old enough, (five or six months) use a spouted beaker rather than a bottle
- If he is on solids, add breast milk or formula to his food so that he gets the goodness via another route
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In answer to your question please try MAM bottles......I have recently been dreading every feed with my 4.5mth old son as he suddenly starting refusing his bottles. He was previously a good feeder and I was having to try entertaining/singing to him to get even a couple of onces in him. I use Tommee Tippee bottles with Aptimal and he has not had a problem till now. I suspected teething was the cause since he would cry in hunger but then not be able to drink and it was heartbreaking. I tried larger teats to no avail. The only feed he would take well was the 11pm feed as he was half asleep. BIG THANKS to Jem1j8d who suggested MAM bottles. I thought I would try them since the teats are free flowing and therefore your baby doesn't have to suck much to drink and therefore this doesn't upset his sore gums. I honestly thought anything was worth a try but did suspect this would be another £15 (for 3 bottles)down the drain, but they are brilliant he took all his milk and they also can be sterilised individually in the microwave for 3 mins when you add a little water in the bottom (see MAM instructions with your bottles). I am truly impressed and I hope this helps others.
From what many of u have said changing teats, milk etc makes no difference, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS OR ADVICE as Im worried she's going to develop a phobia of feeding & its very distressing for myself & my partner.
I decided 2 wean her on to food 3 weeks ago as it was getting to much and the doctor agreed but health visitor didn't. She has breakfast, lunch and tea and im gonna start her on yoghurt next week. She's happy and content during the day and still having a wet nappy, also using the word I hate (thrive) thats why im getting no help as (I was that desperate I asked them 2 hospitalize her) All I get not is you have to persevere and ride this tough time out. So if any1 has got through this with them taking the bottle let me know.
I have had this exact same problem .
My daughter who is now almost 9 weeks old has only recently just stating taking 4oz feeds.
She has always been a fussy eater and we have tried 3 different formulas and 4 different teats , eventually we were diagnosed with reflux and have been prescribed the infant gaviscon.
Immediately after using that she seemed less fussy for a week but now it seems she has gone back o her old ways she is only having 3 oz at a time and plays with the bottle rather than sucking on it .
She does have a cold and is becoming quiet mucussy with it so i do wonder whether this can be playing a part in the troubles but im worried sick .
She just seems to gain weight slowly and isnt one of these babes that seem to thrive im at my witts end and just want her to take a bottle with out having a battle on my hands n e advice?
About 4 weeks ago he got really fussy with his bottle and didn't want to drink his bottle in mine or my partners arms, we just put it down to him being to hot as he would take his bottle laying in the mosses basket. About 3 weeks ago he started to take between 3 and 4 oz and start arching his back up as if he was in pain (he was still being burped and had no trouble bringing them up) me and my partner did some research on the internet and we put it down to reflux. We now have him on SMA stay down (purple tin) which is meant to help with reflux. It has done the trick and he is no longer arching his back up :-)
The only problem we have now is he gets to around 3-4 oz and doesn't want any more, he then generally tongues or nibbles the teat. Whilst smiling like a smart arse :-) We try burping him, leaving him for a few minutes, but in the end we have to hold the bottle in his mouth until he gives up and finishes the bottle, this is generally after a bit of a fight with him trying to push the bottle out with his tongue or pushing it away with his hands. Sometimes he gets really up tight. Pretty much this works 9 out off 10 times.
We did think it might have something to do with teething as he was sucking on his hands a lot, we did check but nothing is there and we can't feel anything either.
Is it normal for a baby to start wanting less milk, I'm worried that he will start losing weight?
Any information or help you could give me would be great, thanks in advance x
He was given gaviscon infant and renitine as the doctors said it was the same symptoms as heartburn! (reflux) he's getting abit better but he has very severe reflux! he's now 3 1/2 months and taking about 5 oz every 4 hours. It's extremly stressfull but it will get better!
Mommymeghan and carolinemarbles, Please try not to fret too much (Believe me I know it's hard, my 2 year old still won't eat and was born 5 weeks early and lost 2 1/2 lb in 8 days when we had him from refusing to feed).
Assuming your babies have no undrlying medical conditions, were not premie babies and are not currently ill or teething and are gaining some weight ... everything should be ok.
If they sleep at night for more than 5 hours... they are getting enough through the day to sustain them. PLease try the following:
1.Don't feed your baby until they are very hungry. DONT leave them for more than 6 hours however.
2.try offering completely cooled milk or even cold(if you are thawing frozen breast milk (my youngest will only drink milk if it is cold on the inside of my wrist!)
3.Try offering from a beaker instead of bottle (not when she is over hungry)
4. Add all milk to your puree's or baby rice if all else fails but try and remember:
NO child will starve themselves. PLease hang in there!
Oh and you could also try putting the bottle teat over your nipple while giving a breast feed and getting them used to the bottle this way (again... i tried this and it worked with our 4 yr old daughter.)
BL (deseperatley looking for a solution)
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE? And please dont tell me to stop swapping things around as I am desperate and just trying to find something that works!
I pleaded a few weeks ago for advice on how i can get my baby to take the bottle. My husband and I spent 8 agonising days to get our 4 months old to take a bottle and we lost. it was also a very distressing time for the LO. Then I had an argument with my hubby and stormed off for some fresh air. On the way, decided to buy all sorts of bottle i could find. We had already spent a little fortune of Timmee Toppees, Advent, Breasflows... etc. After a few days of baby not having any bottle, i decided to try again and gave him one of the new bottles i had bought. HE TOOK IT STRAIGHT AWAY!! I could not believe my eyes!! its been over a week now and the LO only has formula (Aptamil) in his bottle. I only breast feed at night What a relief for my hubby and I!! The bottle in question is called MAM Bottle.It is sold in large Boots store or Mothercare. i realised that baby was not taking the other bottles cause their teats were no spill teats. so baby had to suck really hard to get some milk. he hated it. The MAM bottle teats are free flow. so when it is turned upside down, the milk flows freely. Baby does not have to suck hard and he has a constant flow of milk. he takes his bottle without any fuss. And he used to vomit when i was giving him Cow & Gate or SMA formula. but he tolerates Aptamil very well and also likes the taste because Aptamil tastes more like breast milk. it also has more breast milk properties than the other formula milks. I give him one serving of baby rice at lunch and dinner topped up with about 120 mls of formula milk and he is so much more settled at night. If Your LO is constipated try giving him about 50mls of luke warm boiled water evryday (Doctor's advice). It works! Well, parents who are still pulling their hair, I hope that my experience will help you too. Good Luck..
D4N1
jdja mom
Also how would I then go about stretching his feeds longer therefore hopefully making him drink more?
please please help!!!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!ELENA-CHEMOBABY'S MOM
Can anyone offer any help please.