Trouble getting son to finish his formula?

Question

I have a 3-month old son and he's giving us trouble. He is up to 6 oz of formula and when we burp him, we have the worst time getting him to finish his bottle. He is wasting this expensive food and I just don't know what to do. I was crying with him tonight because I just don't know what to do. I know my mommy instincts are right when they say that 3 oz isn't enough to last until the next feeding (which is 3.5 hours away). HELP PLEASE?!

Answer 1

sometimes it is enough!! I can understand your concern and frustration... but trying to "force" him to finish what he doesn't want isn't going to help him.

Babies know how much is enough... he may not be having a growth spurt right now, he may not need as much to eat at every "meal"... if he doesn't want any more... don't push it!!

Usually at around 4 months they have a growth spurt... give him a few weeks, he'll pick up again.... babies are best fed on demand... they are biologically wired to regulate their intake accordingly.

Answer 2

Maybe he's full? Does he get hungry too soon if he doesn't finish the 6 oz? Don't force him. Maybe you need to feed him 3-4 oz every 2-3 hours, instead of 6 oz. every 3-4 hours (if that's what you're doing). Make up more bottles that are smaller, then formula won't go to waste. Every baby is different, and you can't always go by what the "book" says or by what another parent or person says. Experiment until you find out what works. I know it can be frustrating and overwhelming sweetheart, but it will get better!!

Answer 3

You shouldn't force food upon your child at any time it leads to over eating and obesity just make 4 oz bottles instead and let him eat what he wants if he doesn't eat it all then hes full and should be able to make it until the next feeding babies can only eat as much as their tiny tummys can fit and formula takes at least 3-4 hours to digest and my 22 lb 9 month old only drinks 4 oz bottles and is fine 4 hours in between bottles i know its expensive but parenthood comes with a very expensive price tag get used to that and enjoy being a mom

Answer 4

A baby's tummy is only as big as their little fists. Maybe he doesn't want the full 6 ounces? If he's constantly not finishing a 6 oz bottle, why don't you try making a 4oz bottle and then if he's still hungry after that, make another couple ounces. Its much easier to make more formula than to throw away formula, I would imagine. If he doesn't eat 6 ounces, and then gets hungry sooner than 3.5 hours later, maybe you should adjust the schedule so he's eating less, more often.. it might be what's right for him. We adults don't all eat the same portions at the same time every day.

Answer 5

Hi. Sometimes a baby will not finish the entire bottle.He might not be as hungry as you think. Is he doing that with all of his feedings? How long has he been doing this?The worse thing you can do is force him to drink it. If he's doing that with all feedings you might consider feeding him the amount of oz's he usually drinks and feed him before the 3.5 hours .My baby is 8 months and there are plenty of times that she wont finish her bottle. Sometimes I wait a few minutes and try again.After 1 hour I discard it. It's no longer good after that. It could also be that the baby is uncomfortable,check diaper,itchy clothes tags,temperature is too cold or hot,and the most common GAS.I like to use Mylicon gas drops, it helps her alot and it's safe to use. If he is not drinking as usual I would suggest taking him to his pediatrician. Hope this helps

Answer 6

If he isnt hungry dont force him. As long as he is putting on weight there is no need to worry. My son is chubby littl boy and feeds half as much as other boys his age ( 7 months) He just eats 6 oz. But if you are worried dont take him off the bottle to burp him. let him tell you when he wants to be burped, he will do this by turning his head away from the teat. Alot of babies when taken off the bottle to burp will not go back on. Also If he gets hungry before 4 hours feed him. You do not have to allow 4 hours to past. Babies are like us when are not always hungry in blocks of time. Let him tell you when he is hungry.

Answer 7

It is ok...my daughter does the same thing sometimes (she is 3 months old too)...sometimes she eats less some days then she does others....now, make sure that he is getting at least about 30 ozs a day....if it is a little less then that, fine...if it is a lot less, then call the dr. Sometimes, I let my daughter finish the bottle and then burp her, she seems content with that, a she lets out a huge burp. On the days that she eats less, I make a smaller bottle at feedings, and she eats a little more often. I hope this helps....good luck to you!!!!!!

Answer 8

Every child is different. DO NOT force him to eat unless it looks like he's still hungry and wants to eat but some sort of pain (probably reflux) is interfering and causes him to not want to eat. A baby instinctively know how much they need I recently heard of a child who only drinks 11 oz a day and the dr says that it is fine since the baby is growing properly. As long as your son is gaining steadily in height and weight don't worry at all. Make him smaller botttles and thats it

Answer 9

It seems like your son is not "finishing" because he is already finished. Just because there is still some in the bottle, doesn't mean he is not done. He doesn't eat like a fat person, he actually stops when he is full. Istead of allowing your son to "waist" your precious money, why don't you start putting an oz. or 2 less in the bottle, then he can actually "finish" to your liking...GEZZ

Also, babies tummy are small, keep that in mind, when you have to feed him every couple hours.

Answer 10

Your son know's when he's full and believe me 6oz of formula is a lot for a 3 month old. Stop stressing yourself, and only make four ounces of formula at a time. See if you're eligible for WIC (Women, Infants, Children) in your area, and, with the next baby, breastfeed. It's free. Your mommy instincts my say that it's not enough, but please remember, your baby's tummy knows when to say stop.