Refusing Feeds

[Babyboy]

Hi
I have a 5 month old baby, who is bottle fed, as he refused my breast for 2 days at 2 weeks of age. His older brother did the same.

Since bottle feeding, he was quite a content baby until around 3 months of age, except that he only slept for 30 min catnaps all day. However, for the past 6 weeks he has been refusing his bottle feeds. He takes about 30ml, then starts screaming, sits up and burps and won't take any more. He has always been a big burper, even when he did take full bottles it would be 5 or so burps throughout a feed.

I have stretched his feeds for 4 hours, and still he takes no more than another 50ml or so...so it's definitely not just a snacking habit. Even after a 12 hour sleep at night, still only 30ml in morning! He is whingy, clingy and irritable all day. this all started a couple of weeks before his first bottom teeth appeared at 3 and a half months, and I think he could be now cutting his 4 top teeth and 2 more bottom ones, but I'm not sure if this is the reason for the bottle refusal? He is also running a constant low fever. GP has examined and says no health probs, but she suggested we try him on losec for reflux in case it's that, cause his older brother had silent reflux and went on losec at 5 months (was displaying same symptoms - bottle refusal, but also very bad sleeper - he went on to refusing solids and mealtimes are still a constant battle at 3 yrs of age). the losec greatly improved my eldest son, but after 3 days has made no difference to my youngest baby.

Amazingly, his day sleeps have lengthened during all this, so we're over the 30min catnaps at least. However, feeding fills my entire day, as he takes such small amounts so often.

My main question is, is it common for babies to refuse their bottles for this long due to teething pain, or is it more likely to be reflux and if so, should I perservere with the losec for longer?

Many thanks
stressed Mummy

[the pero clinic]

Dear Babyboy,

I would say that your bub’s feeding problems are not related to teething as they have been occurring since he was very little. It is certainly possible that your bub is suffering from silent reflux. There is a variety of anti-reflux medications available and different ones can suit different babies.

However, from your descriptions, it also sounds possible that your baby is having some oral feeding difficulties and may not feel safe or comfortable while feeding. Babies will take only small amounts and then refuse the bottle or refuse feeds altogether if they do not feel able to safely swallow the milk or coordinate their breathing.

I would advise that you see a feeding specialist who can assess your son’s feeding skills. He may need a different teat – particularly if he is swallowing air excessively or is at risk of choking. I would also guess that you would have changed his teat from about 3 months of age to a larger or faster teat which may account for the deterioration at that time.

Your poor bub certainly seems out of sorts, and may be sleeping longer if he is not taking the optimal amount of formula each day. Please continue to seek medical advice for your son’s feeding difficulties, particularly if the Losec does not start to make a difference.

I will try to suggest an appropriate feeding clinic in your area – please send an email via our website www.theperoclinic.com.au (http://www.theperoclinic.com.au/)


the pero clinic