What to do if a child does not eat formula from a bottle?

It can be difficult to feed formula to a baby, particularly if they won’t drink from a bottle. Parents and the child may experience stress as a result of this circumstance, raising questions about the child’s health and nutrition. Finding a solution, however, requires first understanding the various reasons why a baby might not take to formula.

Sometimes, it could just be as easy as the infant not enjoying the formula’s flavor or an incorrect temperature. In other situations, it might have to do with the nipple on the bottle or the way the feeding is administered. Since each child is unique, what suits one may not suit another.

If your infant is rejecting formula, you should try a few different approaches and be patient. There are several ways to make feeding easier, such as experimenting with different bottles or formulas or altering the feeding schedule. We’ll go over these techniques in the sections that follow to give you and your child the confidence to face this challenge.

Why does he refuse?

The child never misbehaves; he always has valid excuses for refusing to consume formula from a bottle. Additionally, they might differ. It is best to get assistance from a pediatrician to comprehend the circumstances and help determine the real causes.

Does not like the formula

This is a fairly common situation, especially after a long period of breastfeeding. The baby is accustomed to the taste of mother"s milk, another taste confuses and alarms him. It is important to understand that in the absence of medical indications for artificial feeding, you should not give the baby formula until the age of 5-6 months. Only in the case when there is little breast milk, the child does not get enough to eat, does not gain weight well, the pediatrician can recommend supplementary feeding. Formulas have different tastes – you can check this yourself. In addition, there are fermented milk baby formulas, hypoallergenic formulas – protein hydrolysates, formulas with palm oil and without it.

Thus, you can ask your pediatrician for help in selecting a different kind of food; maybe after switching brands, the process of artificial feeding will proceed more quickly.

The technology for preparing the formula is violated

It is common for a child to not take to formula well—not because he dislikes the taste—because it is either too hot or too cold, too concentrated or overly diluted. If you carefully compare the algorithm of your actions with the food preparation instructions on the formula package, you can easily solve the problem.

The nipple is uncomfortable

Today, many bottles are equipped with an orthopedic hard nipple, which manufacturers position as anatomical, that is, resembling a mother"s nipple. You can"t fool a baby. And babies refuse these orthopedic nipples more often than regular ones. But what"s good for one is bad for another. And therefore, stock up on several types of nipples, try them all — children do not like it when you have to put in too much effort to get food (it is difficult to suck, the nipple is tight), they also do not like it when milk or formula flows uncontrollably, in a stream, while the child eats from the bottle in jerks, chokes, chokes, screams, gets nervous.

It is impossible for anyone to provide universal guidance in this case; the only way you can determine which pacifier your child will find most enjoyable to use is by personal experience.

The child is unwell, sick

You should not start complementary feeding or transfer the child to artificial feeding during periods when all his strength is thrown into overcoming the disease. During illness, teething, the child eats little not because he does not like the nipple and the contents of the bottle, but because his body is busy with the recovery processes, and there is simply no strength left to digest food. In this case, do not panic. Call a pediatrician, the child needs to be examined, if necessary – examined. As recovery progresses, the appetite will increase, and the problem with feeding will be solved. During illness, as needed, continue to breastfeed the baby, if impossible – feed the baby in an upright position, in small portions.

If the child has eaten formula in the past but stopped, or if they vehemently refuse, there may be painful reasons for them to refuse.

Psychological dependence on the mother"s breast

Parents who offer their baby a bottle after long-term breastfeeding typically encounter this issue. The mother is already strongly linked to the baby’s nutrition and safety because he is used to her voice and scent. Consequently, there is a psychological development to the need to acquire the breast. It is not worth the mother’s while to wean the infant from the bottle if the child refuses to eat the mixture for this reason. For a few days, ask your spouse, your grandmother, or your grandfather for assistance.

A bottle in their hands won’t be met with the same overt rejection as one in the mother’s hands, since the child expects entirely different treatment from her. The baby usually adjusts to the new food after a few days.

The child is overfed

Frequent feeding, increased portions of formula, as well as feeding at night after six months of age lead to the fact that parents simply overfeed the child, and the baby does not eat the offered formula because he simply does not want to eat. This happens when the age norm for intervals between feedings is violated. While the mother was breastfeeding only on demand, she did not see the exact volume of liquid sucked by the baby. After introducing supplementary feeding from a bottle, the mother tries to make the volume of the mixture corresponding to the norms of the child"s age, and this can cause excessive nutrition. The mixture is more filling than breast milk, it causes satiety faster. And therefore with the introduction of supplementary feeding, it is worth reviewing the number of feedings and increasing the interval between them.

If the baby was eating every two to three hours at one month, by four months he is eating more and the gap between meals should be 3.5 to 4 hours. In terms of biology, a six-month-old does not require night feedings; however, if he wakes up, it is still worthwhile to offer water.

Try experimenting with different nipples, modifying the formula temperature, or altering the feeding environment to make it more comfortable if your child won’t drink formula from a bottle. In some cases, introducing the bottle gradually and patiently can be helpful, as can switching to a different kind of bottle or formula. Easing the transition can also be greatly aided by being aware of your baby’s preferences and providing comfort.

Don’t lose hope if your child refuses to drink formula from a bottle. You can try a few different things to streamline feeding time. First, make sure your baby is suited for the bottle or nipple type. A small adjustment can occasionally have a significant impact. Infants may have specific preferences for nipple shapes or flow rates.

The formula’s temperature is another crucial element. Try serving the milk at different temperatures; some babies prefer it warmer or colder. Additionally, make sure the formula is well mixed and freshly prepared because a bad taste could turn off your child.

If the problem continues, see if your baby is experiencing teething or is feeling ill. They may become less hungry if they are uncomfortable. Giving them extra comfort, such as holding them close or feeding them in a peaceful, comfortable area, may persuade them to consume more food.

Finally, if you have any concerns, don’t be afraid to speak with your pediatrician. They can help rule out any underlying problems and provide professional advice. Most feeding challenges can be overcome with care and patience.

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