Hello, my baby was breastfed when we started to introduce formula she started to refuse both breast and bottle. She totally refuses the breast and will only feed from a bottle when she is asleep and doesn't know she is feeding, she isn't gaining weight now and we are very concerned, what should we do? She just cries arches her back, pushes the bottle out of her mouth. She is now just 12 weeks old and we have been struggling with this for the last six weeks please can you give us any advice. We have tried every bottle, most of the milks, every teat?
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Age: 33 Already Tried: Advice from Health Visitor, and local GP but have been given no suggestions
Hello, I am sorry your baby is having some feeding issues. I realize it's frustrating and worrisome. The back arching concerns me for gastroesophageal reflux, and / or thrush. Have you or her doctor noticed white plaques in her mouth? Do you have a yeast infection? The baby should be checked for this, as it can cause pain in her throat and cause her to refuse to nurse or take a bottle. The reflux may require oral medication for a few months until she grows out if it if she's not gaining weight.
The doctors have checked for a yeast infection and for thrush she has neither, its almost like it is physchological?
And that may be part of it, but I worry about reflux if she is arching her back as you describe. Recommend you discuss that possibility and the prescription of ranitidine for treatment with the baby's pediatrician.
Thank you, my baby is never sick would this not happen if she had reflux? my Health Visitor advised me that she would get comfort from feeding if she had reflux and she hates it, once latched on she feeds very well but its getting her to that stage and as I said thats normally when she is unconscious and has no idea that she is feeding. Also she gets hiccups frequently?
Most infants with reflux refuse to nurse or take a bottle because it hurts them.
Again, recommend you discuss this issue with her pediatrician.
Please ACCEPT if I've answered your questions and post back as much as needed, Best of luck,
Experience: Pediatrician, Board-certified in Ped Hematology/Oncology