3 month old that cries when he doesn't have a bottle.?

Question

I have a 3 month old child that does not take either a pacifier or a nuk. He cries when he does not have his bottle. He reachs a majority of the time a point that he will cry if he does not have the bottle. He will start spitting up the milk. I don't want to continue to give him food, so I started giving him water bottles in between feedings. He then starts spitting up the milk, then the water, but if you take the bottle out, he starts to cry, uncontrollably again. Can anyone give me some advise on what I can do? If you can, please leave your ages so that I can see what age groups believe what? Thanks.

I have noticed that he is dribbling, or drowling alot. He also sticks his hand in his mouth alot. His face is a little red (but because he is a black baby, can't really tell much on the color).

We already have a soothie for him, he doesn't take that either, just like he doesn't take pacifiers.

Answer 1

I think you need to take him to the pediatrician, because he may have one of those weird disorders where the kid can't quit eating. Or, maybe he's lactose intolerant and the formula he's drinking doesn't go down well, so he's mistaking a tummy ache for hunger.

You can feed this kid bananas, green beans, all the basic, easy-to-digest food. Rice cereal with a 1/4 tsp sugar will fill him up in no time. Maybe then he won't crave the bottle, because he's so full (wishful thinking).

If this were my child, the pediatrician says there's nothing wrong with him, I'd spend day after day keeping a binky in his mouth. Cry, I put it in. Lay him on the blanket, turn on the TV, sit beside him, and keep the binky in his mouth. This is meant to train him that between meals we suck something with no milk in it. You may even want to put a drop of corn syrup on it (no honey!!).

Can you distract him?

Best of luck!

Debbie, 45
My kids are 21 & 17

Answer 2

Could be his tummy hurts. Sometimes when a baby's tummy hurts they eat all the time, because while they eat it doesn't hurt. Make sure he doesn't have any wind and that he's not constipated. My 3 month old didn't want to stop nursing yesterday. When I felt his tummy it was rock hard. I gave him a bottle with a little diluted prune juice in it, and an hour later he felt much better :). Try putting him on his tummy and rubbing his back a bit... see if that works. Try distracting him with a toy, or cuddles. You can also try that pacifier again... coat it with a little gripe water. It's sweet, so it may help him to take it (if he's comfort sucking on the bottles, this will also help), and the gripe water will help with gas and tummy aches.

Teething can also make them want to eat all the time (it's a comfort) so check his gums to see if he's got any teeth erupting.

Answer 3

I would guess it is a tummy ache or gas. Babies will confuse a tummy ache and or gas with hunger. That's why they want another bottle. I would look into switching his formula maybe he is lactose intolerant and having trouble digesting milk, that would explaine the excessive crying and throwing it and the water back up. Soy tends to be easier on the tummy. I would not give him anymore water though it's not helping him any. I would also looking to some gas drops too. If he continues with this after switching to a gentler formula I would consult his Dr and have some tests run.

Answer 4

hiya, it sounds like he's starting the teething process. my baby is 5 months with still no teeth but started getting the symptoms at 3 months, is your baby red in the face or dribbling? might be too early for this yet.

another thing is he might just want something to suck on as a comforter... i didn't want to use a dummy so my baby has a blanket that she likes. its trial and error but you'll find something...put it in his mouth. the reason he is being sick is because he doesn't want the milk/water. good luck x

hello again! it definatly sounds like teething to me...remember babies can be born with teeth..its never too early! i'm afraid patience comes into it also. does your baby seem fine one minute then cry the next? just think of tooth ache! tou can use bongela from 2 months, it helps x

Answer 5

MY SON WOULD NOT TAKE REGULAR PACIFIERS WE HAD TO GO BUY THE "SOOTHIE PACIFIERS".YOU CAN FIND THEM AT WALMART. HERE IS A LINK IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE..http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/product.aspx?item=5633&mr:trackingCode=97207D05-A5AA-DC11-BE2A-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA

THESE ARE THE ONLY ONES MY SON LIKES

Answer 6

from what info you give it sounds like your little guy does have a belly ache, i know my 3 week old doesnt know the difference between belly ache and hunger, but i find if i just pick him up to me and pat him firmly, sometimes it take a long time, but get him to burp good and make sure theres no more gas in there, we also use those mylicon drops for gas in babies, they are a life saver and safe for even newborns.

I'm 34 with a 9 year old and a 3 week old.

Answer 7

giving him that much water can hurt him or even kill him- it's called water intoxication- a bottle of water for a baby is like drinnking a couple of 20 ounces for and adult- why give him water instead of formula when formula actually has the nutrients that your baby needs- he is probably spitting it up because he is getting too much- you should only give him 3 ounce bottles at a time t let him digest it- babies dont need water

Answer 8

well, i do know that water can be dangerous at this age, look up how much he is allowed to have for his age. sometimes you have to be the boss and not give in, in order to change his habits. so let him cry...he just wants it for comfort reasons, but it's not ok, so let him cry and soon he'll adapt...maybe keep trying a pacifier..

Answer 9

It might be something other than not having something to suck on that's causing his discomfort.

Maybe he's teething a little bit. Yes. I know it's early, but it happens.

Talk to your pediatrician and see what they say.