Bottle Aversion Therapy

At what point did you decide that therapy was needed for your LO? Did it help and how long did you do it for? At what age did you start?

I am not sure if I am at this point with my DS, but he just does not want his formula anymore. The only time I can get a couple of ounces in him is when he is sleepy and really does not know what he is doing. If he is awake, then it is a true battle to get the bottle in him. He will drink well for an ounce or two and once he takes the bottle out he won't let me put it back in without a fight. He has had a lot of reflux issues and from the beginning did not develop a good relationship with his bottle. I think he must still associate it to pain, but his reflux is better than before and there was a point he was getting better at drinking.

To make things worse, he is teething so I am not sure if that is the issue, but then again he hasn't been this bad at drinking his milk when his first teeth came in.

Is he just done with formula? I can't start him on regular milk since he is only 10 months. We have tried a couple of other formulas and it is the same issue.

I am at the end of my rope here. We have tried giving him his milk with sippy cups, straws, spoon and after a few sips he is done. How is he going to grow and get all his nutrition with just 13 to 15 ounces a day? Is that enough? Solids won't cover the loss. He usually eats his solids well, sometimes is a struggle with that too, but for the most part he is okay with those.

Just don't know what to do. I don't have the patience anymore and feel so inadequate as a mom cause I am so frustrated all the time with this issue. Doctors aren't all that helpful. As they say as long as he is gaining weight then everything is okay. They have no idea what I have to go through just to get him to drink the minimum required. I just feel like I have screwed things up, must have done something wrong somewhere down the line.

 

The doctors are right. As long as they've checked his throat to make sure it's not an infection that makes him not want to drink. I know it's sooo hard for us moms not to stress, we want everything to be just right with our little ones, they are the most precious things on earth to us. Learn the signs of dehydration, and think about getting a scale if you don't already have one so you can check him everyday to make sure he doesn't start to lose weight. There is nothing that says that children must drink milk. There are cultures in the world that don't drink milk and their children grow up. There are some good webpages out there that can give you some good ideas about things you could try to give your son that will help round out his nutrition.

 

My Sam is teething right now and has a hard time drinking out of the bottle. My nanny suggested moving up a nipple size and that has made a world of difference. I think the hard sucking hurts. Also, if I give him some Infant Motrin, it helps too. Once the Motrin kicks in, he drinks from the bottle with no problem. Just some thoughts. I hear ya though - the Drs take a very medical approach (i guess it's obvious why) but it is still painful when you see your LO struggling. GL!!

 

Here are some thoughts.....

1. It might be teething. Have you tried giving him tylenol or motrin, or using teething gel? Our Gabriel is a VERY finicky eater when he is teething - if I rub a bit of Hyland's gel on his gums before eating, that seems to help.
2. What kind of nipple are you using? It is possible he is getting frustrated and needs a faster nipple?
3. What temp is the formula? Have you tried making it cooler or warmer? Cold things can feel good on teething gums, or he may just prefer it cooler (but change it gradually if you can)
4. The docs are mostly right - if he is keeping up a steady weight gain, then don't worry about it so much. I know that is easier said than done, believe me, and we always here they should have X ounces a day, but our doctor said a steady gain (keeping in about the same percentile) is what is most important.
5. I assume you have had him checked for ear infection, throat issues, etc.?
6. Is it POSSIBLE his reflux has flared up? Is he on meds, and if so, could you try an increase temporarily to see if that helps.

Anyway, those are just my brainstorms off the top of my head....please know that you did NOT do anything wrong! With our boys, Michael ALWAYS eats - I swear, if he ever doesn't eat, I'm taking him to the ER! But Gabriel, he is very finicky - he has days and periods just like what you are describing. I remember once when he was about 4.5 months having almost a meltdown because he just would NOT eat - screaming, crying, etc. I have SO been there, so hang in there. :grouphug:

 

I don't have a lot of advice but I do want to say that I am going through the EXACT same thing! At times she won't nurse or take a bottle because of teething discomfort and it has been extremely stressful. I've had some success with cooled formula/BM and feeding her frozen BM in a mesh bag. She LOVES solids so I've taken to feeding her fattening ones like avocado and yogurt.

Hugs. I hope it gets better for you.

 

HugSsssss!I understand your feeling.we are dealing with the same problem here. My boy is so done with milk (bm and formula) he won't drink when awake.he always takes his bottles when asleep.before he would take 26-28oz. Now I'm lucky if I can get 24oz in him.they have been sttn since 3.5 months. But here I'm feeding him his 3am bottle because he only got 20oz so far.I gave up on how many oz he takes.I am trying my best to feed him whenever I can, whatever I can. He loves avocado. And that's the only one can help him on weight gain right now.I took him in doc office many times. I only got 1 answer 'he's healthy. And weird that he only eats when he sleeps.'He doesn't have teeth yet.when he gets some, I won't be able to feed him when he's asleep anymore.it bothers me when doc said he got nutrition from solid now. I don't like that but its true grrrr.I don't give him anything he should eat. I give him food that he loves. Now his sis starts doing the same thing. But she's not good with solid yet.

Last night he ates more than half of avocado.he still wanted to eat but I stop feeding him. Its too much. Than right before bed, he kept putting his fingers in his mouth. Finally, he puked out all everything. I got so freaking mad.. Oh I tried teeth gel evrything.only thing works is tylenol but can't give him daily
Docs have been helpless.they dnt take me seriously as long as he still gains weight.they don't know that I go through hell just to put food in him everyday.
I have realized that in order not to have heart attack (because of being so mad), I just let go all the rules, let him eat whatever he likes, sneak in and feed him bottles when he's asleep for now . Also weigh him everyday. A lot of hugs and good luck!!

 

My friend's now four year old son never drank more than 24 oz of formula a day, and by 10 months she was struggling to even get 15 oz in him. He is totally fine and normal now, and I would guess if you asked her that she would say she wishes she hadn't stressed so much over it. I totally understand your stress, but if your dr isn't worried, I would try to relax about it.

 

By the way, I forgot to add, my doc said that at 10 months, they need about 16-20 oz. of formula a day. I know others recommend more, but maybe hearing that come from a doctor will make you feel a bit better since you are at least close to that. The doc also said that is just an average - and what is most important is that they are gaining weight steadily.

 

Thank you, mommylaura, this is reassuring to hear. In our case our doctor isn't concerned, which is comforting. I'm sure hoping I'll look back one day and realize my stress was unnecessary. By then I'll be onto stressing about something new! Ahhaha.

 

Yes, thanks mommylaura, that is reassuring. I will be right there with you teamturner in looking back and wondering why I was stressing so much. It is just so hard though...being in this moment hoping your child will eat. In this stage of their life there are so many things they got to meet, crawling, pulling themselves up, eating so much amount and I guess with twins it just becomes more overwhelming cause it is multiplied by two. I just want them to be healthy and happy and since I know they are not starving...I guess I should not worry so much.

 

Oh, I want to add that our little one's eating has actually improved sine we weaned her from Prevacid. The stomach acid that it is preventing is actually beneficial for digestion in the absence of reflux. Just something to discuss with your doc!

 

I was going to suggest going up to a fast flow nipple if you haven't already...it cured DS's snacking - an oz or 2 every hour!

 

Well got his weight checked and he has gained a 15 oz. in a month, almost a pound........which for him I think is the best he has done so far. The doc was pretty happy about it so I guess we are on the right path.....a very frustrating one...but we are getting through it. She also said that I could start giving him whole milk and see if he does better with that and if he is taking more of the whole milk then I need to supplement with vitamin drops. I am going to give it a shot over the next couple of days and see if he will take the milk better. I am just too tired of fighting this battle...he is winning hands down.