Hi moms,
My son has become increasingly difficult to give a bottle to. He wiggles, squirms, turns his head away, etc. And this is at the very beginning of the bottle. I know it is still important that he gets a certain amount of formula for nutrition, but it's SO hard to get him to take the minimum amount in a day. I give him his bottles at 8, 12, 4, and 8. He eats baby food twice a day, about 10 and 2, which he usually eats pretty well. I am frustrated that I have to wrestle him 4 times a day for his bottles. Anyone experience this? Thanks in advance!
It could be that he's truly not hungry for it or he's ready to begin using a sippy cup. Hopefully it's just a phase that will pass :)
We had the same situation with our now 3 year old...She had chewed on the nipples during and her teething phase and made the wholes bigger and the flow too fast.
There could be several things going on. He may be changing his schedule again; so you may just want to wait to give the bottle a little later and see what happens. Also, I wouldn't be so strict with the "minimum". I remember my daughter would take less formula one day and more the next. Especially, when she was teething. As long as it averages out. If it is significantly less than the minimum on average, then I would consult your pediatrician. Maybe there is something else going on.
Double check the nipple on the bottle! The air flow might be too slow so he is working too hard to drink and getting frustrated. Make sure you have a nipple on there appropriate to his age (medium flow, 2 holes, #2, it depends on the brand.) Try a step up from what you have on there now.
Good luck!!
You can read my recent posting. My son also fights the bottle. He is 8 months old and low weight (3rd percintile). He is just picky. I actually think that he is just fine, and it's just how he is, but it's alarming nonetheless. I will soon try yogurt in many combinations, and hopefully he will like it. One thing my son does love is prunes. I can even get him to eat avacado when I mix it with prunes. Crazy! Maybe someone will respond to my post that will be helpful for you too. It's funny, I also work part time alternating 2 - 3 days a week. I am sure that you are doing it all right! We just worry so much! I wish that I had an actual answer, but know that you're not alone! I am sure that some of the Olympic athletes this year also fought their bottle!
I just thought of one thing that has been helpful for us: oatmeal in his formula (grind up the oatmeal with coffee grinder for better flow/texture). The best bottle for cereal in the bottle is Dr. Brown's wide bottle /"Y" cut nipples for the wide neck. Call Babies R Us to see if they have it stocked before driving there. Best wishes!
I am going through this SAME thing with my soon to be 9 month old. I am needing advice myself on this subject. He acts like he HATES his bottles. And it is the same bottles I have been using, nothing new. I have tried different sippy cups and he doesn't want that either! I am worried that he is not getting all the nutrients he needs and I don't want him to get dehydrated also from not drinking anything. If you got any good advice or tried something that works, please let me know! Thank you!
