Intermittent Bottle Refusal *HELP!!*

[mim1]

Any ideas on why my ds (6 months) has intermittent bottle refusal? He is breastfed, but has zantac for reflux in a bottle 3 times a day. He was sick 5 weeks ago and completely refused a bottle for a week afterwards and since then has refused it 2 or 3 times a week. But in the last 24 hours he's only happily taken it once, out of 5 attempts.

I've tried all sorts of different bottles
I've tried a syringe instead
I've tried mixing zantac with breastmilk
I've tried just putting breastmilk in the bottle
I've made him wait til he's 'really hungry'

He still spits it outs immediately, before even tasting it.

Can someone help me? It's driving me nuts. He's breastfeeding fine, just won't take the bottle.

I know there's probably not much else I can do, but has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Tabby]

Mim: What teats are you using?

[wild at heart]

What about ones that are supposed to be more like mother's breast? Tomee Tippee Closer to nature ones work well for A.

[mim1]

I've got some narrow neck bottles from bigw that he usually loves, I've got avent teats and I've got the tommee tippee ones. It doesn't matter which one I try, he immediately pushes it out with his tongue.

[tanni_83]

if its just for reflux formula, how about try and giving it to him in a sippy cup. it might take longer and more patience, but if he's rufing a bottle a cup is the next best thing

good luck

[Beany]

If it's intermittent and he spits before tasting, considering his age, I'm inclined to think maybe he's teething. The pressure of sucking probably just becomes too much for his sore little gums. Try something with a faster flow or just rub him up with some Bonjela a few minutes before his feed.

I hope it all gets better soon

[mim1]

I forgot that I was going to try sippy cups and I can see teeth under his gums, so I'll try bonjela too! Thanks heaps!

[funnyfarm]

DD2 went of her bottles aswell last week due to a severe sore throat and croup. She has since gone back to only occasionally drinking (sometimes twice a day) but is eating like a horse.

If it has been about 10 hours since her last bottle she usually starts to whinge and carry on. I know that she wants it but when i put it near her she throws her head back and pushes it away. I put some SM33 cream on her dummy, let her suck it and chew on it for a couple of minutes and then feed her. 9 times out of 10 she then takes the bottle and drinks it dry.

I figure it is a bit of both. She is getting over a sore throat and croup and is also teething (8 months and still no teeth so they have to be close, right )

[mim1]

I tried bonjela before his late afternoon bottle and he drank it fine, so hopefully that will work again for the next attempt

[Beany]

Great news mim

(I win I win! Yay! )