My Baby Won't drink his bottle?

Question

I have tried everything, from new bottles, new teats everything! Been to 3 doctors and 2 midwives and yet my 6 month old still wont drink all of his bottle. he has about 100mls and leaves the other 150mls. He is losing weight and I'm at my wits end as to what to do. I've tried giving him more solids and nothing works. He has a lot of wind and reflux and tummy pain. He is very happy though considering.

Any ideas on what I can do or try? Yes he is teething, but thats not the problem.. He has not been eating his bottle for 2 months now.

Answer 1

Have you had him assessed by a SPEECH therapist/pathologist (they do more than speech they also deal with eating issues) or and Ear Nose and Throat doctor?

Have you had him screened for allergies?

Have you tried GOAT'S milk formula?
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/t032400.asp

Can you obtain banked breastmilk?

Have you had him screened for GERD? If there is damage to his esophogus and eating hurts of course he will not do it! Antacids and/or acid reducers are prescribed.

Have you tried cup feeding? (Not sippy cup, and actual cup)

If he is loosing weight you must keep fighting until you find the cause AND a solution. Solids are not a solution, they are less nutrient dense than formula.

What about thickened feeds?
Baby cereal, added to thicken breastmilk or formula, has been used as a treatment for GER for many years, but its use is controversial.

Does it work? Thickened feeds can reduce spitting up, but studies have not shown a decrease in reflux index scores (i.e., the “silent reflux” is still present). Per Donna Secker, MS, RD in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease , "The effect of thickened feedings may be more cosmetic (decreased regurgitation and increased postprandial sleeping) than beneficial." Thickened feeds have been associated with increased coughing after feedings, and may also decrease gastric emptying time and increase reflux episodes and aspiration. Note that rice cereal will not effectively thicken breastmilk due to the amylase (an enzyme that digests carbohydrates) naturally present in the breastmilk.

Is it healthy for baby? If you do thicken feeds, monitor baby’s intake since baby may take in less milk overall and thus decrease overall nutrient intake. There are a number of reasons to avoid introducing cereal and other solids early. There is evidence that the introduction of rice or gluten-containing cereals before 3 months of age increases baby's risk for type I diabetes. In addition, babies with GERD are more likely to need all their defenses against allergies, respiratory infections and ear infections – but studies show that early introduction of solids increases baby’s risk for all of these conditions.

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/reflux.html#thickenedfeed

Answer 2

my little guy is a terrible eater too! I had the same issues for a long time and at 10 months old he is just starting to grow out of them :-)
Keep trying different bottles and nipples. We tried ALL of the expensive bottles, avent, playtex, the liner kind, the wide ones, the regular ones. FINALLY we tried the plain old gerber bottles ( you know, the three pack is only $4), with the nuk LAYTEX nipples. That is the only way he will take it. He won't use the silicone ones even if they are nuk.

Also for the gas and reflux we switched him to Enfamil gentlease formula. That worked for us. It has reduced lactose. They also have a latose free formula and one called AR lipil for acid reflux and spitting up. So I would try switching his formulas around... even if your Dr. says not to. Our Dr. kept telling me not to, that it was normal for babies to have gas and wouldn't listen to me when I said he was in pain,( I think sometimes Dr.s don't listen to new moms because they think we over react) It isn't going to hurt him to switch his formula. He may get a little diareah for the first day but that is just from the change and is normal. If you do try some different formulas try one a week and use it only for a full week. It is the only way to get a true feel for if it is helping, and remember it is expected that he may get an upset belly the first day or so. So don't let it scare you into not trying it for a full week.

For the weight gain thing try using a little less water in his formula. I had to do that for a little while when my guy got sick and was loosing weight. Not by a whole lot, 1/4 of an ounce to 1/2 less then you would usually use with the same amount of powder.

good luck!

Answer 3

Can't say for sure as I am not a doctor, but sounds to me like he may have to be switched to a different type of formula. I would definately recommend seeing a pediatrician, and mention the tummy pain. Also things to look out for is an extended abdomen and frothy stools.

Answer 4

Well you started in the right direction. You ask your doctor very nicely to help you find what is wrong with your child. And then if you get little or no results, you become the biggest , baddest mama on the planet and yell until someone listens to you. You are the first and best advocate for your helpless child. Don't give up, don't let up until you get results. Good luck.

Answer 5

Your son is taking about 3oz. How often? Maybe you are offering it too much. I would increase the time between feedings to 4 hours. I would also suggest you start giving your son solids. Try rice cereal 3x daily as well as baby foods, cheerios and gerber first food puffs. Get a mesh bag feeder so he can start on fruits and veggies.

You may want to put rice cereal in the bottle (just a little) and use a nipple with a bigger hole.

Answer 6

Have you think of change milk to other brand or maybe oat milk. Have you try to use spoon instead of bottle? If he cant finish his milk, its ok, to give him smaller amount at one time but many time.

If he prefer solid, try to mix some milk with banana or some other type of fruits.

I hope this will help.

Answer 7

Did youtry Avent bottles. Just wait til he is really hungry like atleast 3 hours from last feeding and he will be desperate enough to take the wholething

Answer 8

My son had the same issue and was very picky about his bottle.He only drank from Avent.Never wanted anything to do with any other brand.Maybe try that if you have not already!

Answer 9

I don't have any ideas, but as a parent I know how troubling it is when you think your baby isn't getting enough to eat. I hope you can get an answer soon. :(

Answer 10

HAY,,,, talk to the Dr, and ask them if you can try some HONEY See if that will work,,,,mix it with the babys milk