Just when I thought his eating had improved?

Question

Ok, my son is 4months, and it seems ever since he was a month old we have had eating issues with him...we thought it was all better, but it started again!!! As soon as we either show him the bottle or get him ready in the feeding position he will just SCREAM and bat at that bottle.

No it's not gas and no it's not the relux, we give him stuff for both...we have tried switching formulas twice, and each time he will take it for a day or two, then the screaming starts. We have to add pedialyte to his bottles just so he will drink it!!

Anyone else have similar feeding issues? Is it perhaps just a phase? I thought maybe he didn't like the taste, but now i don't think that is the case.

Besides this, he is a VERY happy baby. he also sleeps 9hours a night, and has normal bm's.

Answer 1

First I would like to say congratulations on being a mother...!!

It sounds like he's very healthy and since he sleeps well during the night and is happy during the day it doesn't sound like he's ill... Going from my past it sounds to me like it might be the nipples your using on the bottles...

My youngest was like that and her doctor said he thought she might need a larger hole in her bottles nipples... So we put a clean toothpick into the hole the next time we boiled them as he said that would open it up just enough... Well that was all she needed as she was fine after that...

Answer 2

Maybe he doesn't like holding still -- try to distract him with something while he drinks his bottle.  Maybe a musical mobile, maybe Daddy manipulating a toy while he watches, anything to take his attention away from the position he's in.

I've also seen a baby fight a bottle in reluctance to relax and go to sleep; but this shouldn't happen every time.

What happens if you just wait for him to get hungry and want his bottle?  If you have him on one of those "feeding schedules" maybe it isn't fitting together well with his natural inclinations.  I'd try letting him go a little longer before offering it, and see if he's more receptive when he can initiate the activity.

Answer 3

Try changing the feeding postion, maybe he will want to do it on his own like in an chair or swing.  Try asking the doc if there is something he/she will recomend.  Try asking if you could use Whole milk.  Try some solid foods, my son was starting them about that age, he is 3 now with no Allergies.  

also babies just go through phases.  You can also try using an different kind of bottle or nipple on the bottle, my son was particular to the nondrip ones. You can always add to the formula, flavoring, even make it thicker with baby cereal.

Good luck.