2 month old having weird feeding habits lately?

Question

my daughter is 11 weeks today. Previously, she's been taking between 3-4 oz every 3.5 - 4 hours. Now, She'll barely take in 2 oz and she's doing this weird thing with the nipple. She won't just feed, she'll keep turning her head and breaking suction, etc etc, I can see and hear the air bubbles in the bottle and I think it's causing her to take in more air because she was really gassy yesterday too (which caused her to be cranky). I thought maybe it was the beginning of an ear infection but she has no fever and no other signs... can't figure out why she's being so finicky with her bottles though and not eating like she used too. Has anybody else experienced this?

she's using the vent air wide bottles since I have had to supplement the bottle with breast since birth. The lactation consultants recommended the Natural Latch slow nipples, since they are the most like the breast.
The past two days she's REFUSED to nurse so the "nursing strike" thing sounds right on the money! Thanks!

Answer 1

Babies go through many growth and rest periods. If she's turning her head, she's telling you she's full or something is bothering her. I pulled some info on what would cause a 'nursing strike', even though this is more for breast feed babies:
• Mouth pain from teething, a cold sore, or an infection (such as thrush).
• An ear infection, which causes pressure or pain while nursing.
• A cold or stuffy nose, which makes breathing difficult while nursing.
• A major disruption in your baby's routine, such as you returning to work.
• An unusually long separation from you.
• Cutting teeth (very remote, but possible)

If you have had a major change to your routine, she could be on a 'nursing strike', which usually lasts between two and five days.

If still no fever or other symptoms and she's wetting seven or eight cloth diapers a day, or five to six disposables, passing stools, tears when crying or drooling, she is hydrated.

Here is a guide on if she's getting enough during the day. This is from BabyCenter - Multiply your baby's weight times 2.5 ounces

At this age the general rule of thumb is to offer 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight each day. So if your baby weighs 6 pounds, you'll give him about 15 ounces of formula in a 24-hour period. If he weighs 10 pounds, he should drink 25 ounces in a 24-hour period.

With all of that - when you have ANY questions or concerns, especially with this new of a baby, call your pediatrician and speak with a nurse and they will tell you if and when they would need to see your daughter. That is what they are there for. Take care.

Answer 2

You could try changing the bottles , my two boys had the same problem with the AVENT bottle system at first. My newborn son hates them and loves the first years soothie bottles it gives him much less gas. Check the nipples and see if they are the right stage so she doesn't have to suck as hard to get the milk. You can give her a bit of mylicon it helps with the gas and even gripe water for colic. And if she still is fussy I highly recommend you take her to the pediatrician because shes a baby and she shouldn't be losing weight but gaining. Hope your baby feels much better soon.

Answer 3

Sounds like a normal phase that she'll grow out of. If you are worried, call the doc. Also, when you hear the air bubbles going into the bottle, that's a GOOD thing because they are not going into baby.