Baby seems in pain when bottle feeding

Bottle Feeding Problems - Why Your Baby Squirms, Appears Uncomfortable – Baby Care Advice

When your baby squirms, appears uncomfortable during a feed, fusses, cries or refuses a bottle, seemingly fights the bottle despite being hungry, it can be challenge to figure out the cause. The timing and type of behavior she exhibits provides vital clues. This article discusses potential reasons for troubled feeding behavior.

Signs of bottle-feeding problems

Does your baby display troubled behavior in relation to bottle-feeding, such as….

Refuses a bottle
Turning away from the bottle.
Refusing to close her mouth around the nipple.
Holding nipple in the mouth but not sucking.
Taking only a small amount and then refusing more.
Screaming when placed into a feeding position or at the sight of the bottle.
Milk pouring out of baby's mouth.
Feeding too quickly.
Feeding too slowly.
Falling asleep before the feed is completed.
Coughing and spluttering when feeding.
Not consuming as much milk as expected.
Wanting more milk than expected.
Throwing up large amounts of milk.

Then there may be steps you can take to remedy the situation and get your baby to calmly and happily take a bottle.

Behavioral reasons

‘Behavioral’ means baby’s behavior is in response to the circumstances rather than a physical cause. Behavioral reasons are the most common of all reasons for infant feeding problems. There are numerous behavioral reasons for a baby to experience feeding problems and/or display problematic feeding behavior. Common reasons include:

1. Misinterpreting baby's cues as signs of hunger

Does baby at times refuse feeds?

Does she take only a little and not want more?

Babies are in an oral stage of develop. Sucking is the primary way babies soothe. They also learn by sucking and mouthing objects. Many babies have a strong desire to suck for reasons that extend beyond hunger, such as tiredness, boredom, discomfort and soothing. There may be times when you mistake your baby’s desire to suck for these reasons as hunger.

Newborn babies have an active sucking reflex. This means a newborn baby may accept a feed even when she’s not hungry, and she might guzzle down the bottle because she cannot choose to not suck when her sucking reflex is triggered. Once her sucking reflex has disappeared (usually by 3 months of age) she will willingly take only the amount she wants to take.

If you have mistakenly interpret her fussing or desire to such as hunger and offer her a feed, she might take a little and refuse the rest, or she refuse from the start. If you try to make her drink more than she wants, she will understandably get upset and fuss, cry and pull back from the bottle.

WHAT TO DO

See Hungry baby for more reasons why babies often appear
See Infant reflexes

2. Unrealistic expectations

Is baby not drinking as much as you expect?

Is she fussing if you try to get her to finish a bottle?

In around one third of consultations I have had with parents regarding an infant feeding problem, I found that parents were trying to make their baby drink more than he or she needed. In some cases, this was because of errors made their health professionals. They either failed to adjust calculations as baby matured or failed to consider baby as an individual. As a result, overestimated baby’s milk requirements.

If you think your baby is not drinking enough milk (breast milk or infant formula) you’re naturally going to feel concerned. If your concern translates into trying to pressure her to drink more than she wants or needs (gently or otherwise), you’re going to upset her. So it is very important for your peace of mind and your baby’s enjoyment at feeding times that you have realistic expectations about how much she needs.

WHAT TO DO

See How much milk does baby need for standard estimations for age and weight, and reason why a baby might take more or less than recommended.
Follow your baby's feeding cues. Don't try to make her take more when she indicates she has had enough.

3. Tiredness

Is your baby at times too tired to eat effectively?

Does she often fall asleep while feeding?

Sleeping and feeding are closely related when it comes to the needs of babies. Both are equally important to a baby's health, growth and development and feelings of wellbeing. You are no doubt aware that if your baby does not feed well she might not sleep well. But are you aware that the opposite is equally true. If she’s not getting enough sleep this has the potential to negatively impact on her feeding.

Physical fatigue can cause baby to fuss during feeds or falling asleep before the feed is completed. If you have a hungry/tired baby on your hands, tiredness will usually win out.

WHAT TO DO

Ensure baby gets enough sleep.
Feed her before she becomes too tired.
Aim to establish a flexible feeding and sleep routine to minimize the risk of feeding and sleep times clashing.

If your baby is often irritable and not sleeping enough, (see Overtired baby for signs and symptoms) you might find that resolving any underlying sleeping problem will cause feeding difficulties to spontaneously resolve once she receives adequate sleep.

See our sleep section.
Download or order a paperback copy of my infant sleep book Your Sleepless Baby: The Rescue Guide. There you will find comprehensive information on the reasons and solutions to various infant sleeping problems.

4. Distractibility

Is your baby too busy looking around or trying to play to want to feed?

Is it hard to keep her focused on feeding?

Babies over the age of 4 months can easily become distracted while feeding. They are often much more interested in the activities going on around them than they are in feeding.

WHAT TO DO

Feed your baby in a quiet environment away from noise and distractions of other children.

5. Feeding management

Some feeding problems can be related to what may appear like insignificant details but which can make feeding difficult or uncomfortable for a baby. For example, how you hold your baby will affect her ability to feed from a bottle. If her head is too far forward or too far back or her neck is twisted this can make it difficult for her to suck or swallow.

WHAT TO DO

See How to bottle-fed a baby

6. Feeding aversion

Does your baby refuse to feed even when hungry?

Does she scream at the sight of a bottle or when placed into a feeding position?

Have you resorted to trying to feed her while asleep?

A baby can develop an aversion to feeding when past feeding experiences have taught her that feeding is unpleasant, stressful or painful. Typically, baby is diagnosed with reflux and/or milk protein allergy or intolerance to explain her aversive feeding behavior. However, a behavioral feeding aversion (related to feeding management rather than a physical cause) is a far more common cause of infant feeding aversion.

A feeding aversion is the most complex of all infant feeding problems. An effective solution relies heavily on accurate identification of the cause.

WHAT TO DO

See Feeding aversion for more information. Or purchase or download a copy of 'Your Baby's Bottle-Feeding Aversion: Reasons and Solutions'.

7. Feeding equipment

Does your baby gag, cough or splutter during feed?

Does baby make clicking sounds while feeding?

It could be the nipple is too long, too short, too fast or too slow.

The most important piece of feeding equipment is the nipple. The nipple needs to be the right size and speed for your baby's size, age and sucking ability. If the nipple is too long, too short, too fast or too slow for your baby, she may experience feeding difficulties and express her frustration by fuss or crying.

WHAT TO DO

See Feeding equipment for more information on choosing a feeding nipple.
Experiment with nipples of different lengths, shapes and speed.

8. The nipple ring is screwed too tight

Does the nipple collapse in your baby’s mouth as she feeds?

Do you find that air rushes into the bottle once the bottle is removed from her mouth?

It's possible her feeding difficulties could be due to the nipple ring being screwed on too tight.

In order to maintain a neutral balance in air pressure within the bottle air needs to be able to enter the bottle to replace the void left by the milk the baby is removing. If the bottle is vented, this is achieved via the venting system. However, in the case of a non-vented bottle, the only ways air can enter the bottle are between the nipple ring and the rim of the bottle and through the holes at the end of the nipple. While sucking, a baby will maintain a seal over the holes at the end of the nipple with her tongue and prevent air entry in this way. If the nipple ring is screwed down tightly this also prevents air entry.

If air is prevented from entering the bottle, this causes a negative pressure to build in the bottle. As the pressure builds, baby need to work harder and harder to extract further milk, until such time and the air pressure is returned to normal. The effort required to suck against the negative pressure can cause a newborn baby to tire and fall asleep before completing the feed. An older baby may simply give up or express her frustration.

WHAT TO DO

The nipple collapsing (not all will) or stopping to burp baby allows air to enter through the holes and neutralize the pressure. But you don’t want to wait for this to resolve the problem. By then baby is already tiring or getting frustrated. See ‘Collapsing nipple’ for ways to manage this problem.

9. Feeding patterns

Is your baby often take only small amounts, refuse more, but then wants to feed again an hour or two later?

Some babies develop a grazing or snacking feeding pattern where they will only drink small amounts of formula at a time and then want to be feed frequently, possibly every hour or two. Although this will not cause any problems for a baby, provided she drinks enough formula in total over a 24 hour period, it can become very tiring for parents to keep up with her constant demands for feeding.

WHAT TO DO

Try to encourage your baby to take as much milk as possible within 45 minutes. But don't try to make her feed if she doesn't want to. Stop sooner if she does not want to continue.
Ensure baby gets plenty of sleep.
Avoid allowing baby to fall asleep while feeding.
Support your baby to extend the time between feeds, by offering a little water, a pacifier, a nap, playing with her, or taking her for a walk. Aim to encourage her to wait at least 3 hours from time you started her previous feed, but only if it's reasonable to do so without distressing her. If necessary extend the time between feeds gradually. As your baby gets used to going longer periods between feeds she will gradually take larger amounts at each feed.

10. Excessive night feedings

Is baby feeding more often at night than you would expect?

Unless your baby was born prematurely or is very small for her age, developmentally she no longer requires feeding during the night beyond the age 6 months. If nighttime feeding continues past this age its not going to harm her but it could have a negative effect on her appetite and feeding patterns during the day.

Your baby only needs a certain number of calories in her day (24 hours) to provide for her growth and energy needs. If after the age of 6 months she continues to receive calories from nighttime feeds this will dampen her appetite during the day and she will not need to drink as much formula during daytime feeds. You might find she is content to go for long periods of time between feeds (which is usually what would happen at night). She might fuss or refuse some of her daytime bottles when they are offered simply because she's not hungry at the time. Or she might graze during the day.

Nighttime feeding will cause your baby no harm, so if you're happy to continue feeding her during the night there's no reason to change a thing. However, it is important that you don't expect her to consume as much milk during the day as she may have otherwise taken if she did not feed at night.

Many babies will give up night time feedings on their own accord, but others will continue to wake and demand feeds overnight for months and possibly years while parents continue to provide feeds at night. Usually the reason babies continues to demand night feeds beyond the age of 6 months is because they have learned to rely on feeding as a way to fall asleep, or because their internal body clock gets turned around - where the baby has decreased appetite during the day because of the continued night feeds and as a consequence of small feeds during the day the baby wakes hungry during the night. Body clock problems can easily become a cyclical pattern that will continue over the long term unless parents take steps to change the situation. Healthy, thriving babies who continue to demand feedings at night beyond the age of 6 months often require guidance and support from parents to cease feeding at night and turn their body clock around to a normal day-night feeding pattern.

WHAT TO DO

Aim to cease overnight feeds after 6 months of age. However, before attempting to do this it's important to address any feeding to sleep issues your baby might have. She would need to learn to fall asleep in a different way before you will be able to successfully encourage her to cease night feeds.

11. Starting solids early

Have you started giving your baby solids before the age of 4 months?

Have you been advised to start solids early?

6 months is the recommended age for starting solid foods. Although a small number of babies may benefit from solids prior to this age, it's generally not recommended to start a baby on solid foods before the age of 4 months. An early start on solids has the potential to cause bottle feeding problems because solid foods may decrease the baby's appetite for milk (breast milk or formula).

WHAT TO DO

If your baby is less than 6 months old, either cease or reduce the amount of solids you offer to see if this helps to improve the situation.
See our article on starting solids.

12. Solids eaten before or between formula feeds

Do you give baby solids between or before bottle feeds?

If solids are offered prior to bottle feeds, either directly before or mid way between feeds, when it's time for your baby's bottle feed she might be feeling full from the solids, in which case she's probably not going to take much milk from her bottle.

WHAT TO DO

For babies 4 - 9 months (when milk is still the most important food) offer solids 15 - 20 minutes after bottle feeds.
For babies 9 - 12 months (when solids are becoming increasingly more important to a baby's diet) offer solids shortly before or shortly after her bottle, whichever you find works best. Babies at this age are often down to 3 bottles per day plus 3 main meals and 1 or 2 snacks.

13. Too much solids

Does your baby love solids so much that she would rather eat solids than drink milk?

In these early stages of learning to eat solids (4 - 7 months) solids are not needed to add value to a baby's nutritional intake, rather they are offered primarily to provide learning experiences. The baby is exposed to new food proteins that help prime her immune system. She gets to discover new tastes and textures and become accustomed to eating from a spoon. It is at this age that babies are most willing to accept new tastes. So variety rather than quantity is what solids are about.

Many babies, particularly very young babies, experience difficulty self-regulating their dietary intake. Some babies will continue to eat solid foods for as long their parents keep offering. Some babies will prefer eating solids compared to drinking formula. However, too much solids and not enough milk is not a balance diet for a baby. It may be necessary for parents to limit the amount of solids they offer in order to encourage their baby to have a greater appetite for milk feeds.

WHAT TO DO

See our article on estimating how much milk your baby needs to make sure she's getting enough.

14. Weaning difficulties

Does your breastfed baby refuse bottle-feeds?

Does your baby have a breast preference?

While some breastfed babies willing accept milk from a bottle many will not, at least not straight away.

Difficulty weaning from breast to bottle is rarely resolved by finding the 'right' feeding nipple. (All feeding nipples will feel equally foreign to a breastfed baby. ) Nor does a solution lie in finding a formula with the 'right' taste. All formula will taste strange to a breastfed baby). The difficulty associated with weaning to a bottle most often lies in the fact that bottle-feeding requires a very different sucking action to breastfeeding. While breastfeeding the movement of your baby's tongue milks the breast, where as bottle-feeding requires a sucking action. A baby who has been exclusively breastfed beyond the age of 3 months will often refuse milk from a bottle because it "doesn't feel right" and she doesn't know how to suck from a bottle.

It takes time and practice before a breastfed baby learns how to suck on a bottle.

WHAT TO DO

Try offering expressed breast milk in a bottle initially. (Don't be too optimistic and put too much in to start with. It would be a shame to waste it).
A soft flexible nipple often works better.

NOTE: Many breast fed babies will refuse to accept a bottle while they are still being breastfed at times. They will simply wait until a breastfeed is offered. For these babies it will be the case of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, but not both.

How we can help your baby take a bottle

Your Baby's Bottle-feeding Aversion book
Baby Care Advice consultation
Rowena Bennett's Online Bottle-Feeding Aversion Program

‘Your Baby's Bottle-Feeding Aversion’ book

In my book, ‘Your baby’s Bottle-feeding Aversion’, I have described physical and behavioral reasons for babies to develop an aversion to bottle-feeding. How to identify the cause and the solutions to match. Included are step-by-step instructions on how to regain your baby’s trust and resolve a feeding aversion caused or reinforced by repeated pressure to feed.

While the book was written for bottle-fed babies, many nursing mothers have found that applying the same strategies has also helped them to successfully resolve a breastfeeding aversion.

You might find that reading this book is all you need to do to understand the steps you need to take to resolve your baby’s feeding aversion and get him back to the point of enjoying eating until satisfied.

Baby Care Advice Consultations

If you would like an individualized assessment of all reasons for infant feeding problems, not just feeding aversion, we also provide a consultation service. Baby Care Advice consultants have extensive experience in pinpointing the cause of feeding aversion and other behavioral feeding problems such as those related to equipment and the parent’s feeding practices. (For more on what’s included in a consultation).

By Rowena Bennett, RN, RM, CHN, MHN, IBCLC.

Rowena's Online Bottle-Feeding Aversion Program

Six time-saving modules to help your family enjoy feeding again with Rowena's step-by-step plan. Enjoy additional tools to manage anxiety, troubleshoot any issues, introduce new carers, how to manage illness/teething and much more.

Module 1: Understanding feeding aversions
Module 2: Identify the cause
Module 3: Prepare for success
Module 4: How to resolve your baby's bottle-feeding aversion
Module 5: What to expect
Module 6: Troubleshooting
BONUS: Guided meditations

Know The Causes and Solutions

Do you notice that your baby squirms and cries while bottle feeding? Does he or she seem to fuss, squeal, kick, or even outright refuse to take a bottle when it is offered? Having trouble with your baby fussy during feeding bottle problems? If so, then we’ve got answers for you. There are many reasons why your baby might squirm while bottle feeding, and the reason your little one seems discontent might not be what you think. Join us as we delve into why your baby could be so grizzly around bottle feeding time.

Baby Fussy During Feeding Bottle: Why is my baby uncomfortable during feeding?

The truth is that some feeing won’t always go well, even if your baby had been feeding like a champ in the months prior.

If suddenly you find that your baby seems to be suddenly more grizzly during feeding than any other time, it is imperative that you find out the root cause. Your little nipper could be signalling that something is wrong, but since your baby is unable to speak, it comes out as fussing, crying or squirming.

If your baby is displaying any of the following cues, you’ll want to get to the bottom of what is going on with your little one sooner rather than later:

Baby Is Sucklnig Too Slow, Too Fast or Not At All
Baby Kicking Legs While Bottle Feeding
Baby Gulping Bottle and Crying
Baby Crying When Feeding Bottle
Baby Turns Away From Bottle
Baby Takes a Little Milk But No More
Baby Coughs During Feeding
Baby Vomits Up Milk
Baby Squirms Constantly During Feeding Time
Baby Shows Other Signs of Distress During Feeding Time

Why Is My Baby Fighting the Bottle?

There are many reasons why your baby could be fighting the bottle. These reasons include:

Your Baby Is Teething

At 3-4 months of age, it is possible that your baby could be experiencing some pain that can be attributed to the growing of new little teeth. This pain can be highly uncomfortable for many babies, and as such, your little one may change his or her normal feeding habits for a temporary time.

Thankfully, there are plenty of soothing teething toys here in the UK that can help. This Mother Goose Teether With Rattle Handle and Mother Goose Teether Ring Toy are great items to have on hand when your baby isn’t feeding to help soothe sore gums.

Your Baby Isn’t Very Hungry

Did you know that it is possible for your baby to seemingly display hunger cues even when he or she isn’t hungry? Indeed, your typical cry and squeal isn’t always linked to wanting to eat.

Even if it seems this way and your baby does take the breast or bottle, it is true that he or she will eventually turn away or become uncomfortable during the feed, as this wasn’t the reason for the behaviour to begin with.

Other reasons for crying include a wet nappy, illness and the need for sleep.

You’re Overfeeding Your Baby

Yes, it is true. You can overfeed your baby, but this isn’t always your fault.

Indeed, there are times when health professionals may recommend a certain intake of milk for your baby that isn’t on target with how much your baby needs. Look for cues and don’t pressure your baby. Doing so will make the experience more uncomfortable and your baby may begin to associate negativity with the feeding experience.

Your Baby Is Overtired

If you’ve been a mum or dad to a wee little one for any length of time then it is likely that you’ve heard the term “overtired”. This means that your baby has become so fatigued that he or she may begin to display behaviours that are unusual for them.

During feeding, this may manifest as your baby falling asleep or sucking slowly, or even as your baby becoming hyper, squirmy or overactive during feeding times, especially at night. These behaviours may be due to over-tiredness and should prompt you to begin brainstorming ways on how to get your little one more sleep.

Your Baby Is Distracted

Around 4-6 months of age, you may notice that your baby seems a bit distracted. Chalk this up to the fact that he or she is just beginning to discover the lights, sounds and daily bustle of the world around them. As such, your baby may seem more disinterested in taking a bottle and more enamoured with that pup that just passed by.

To counter this, consider taking your baby into a dim, quiet room for his or her feeding, especially during the day.

Your Baby Doesn’t Feel Comfortable

Sometimes it is the little things that make all the difference. Is your baby uncomfortable with the way he or she is being held? Is the nappy too tight? Have you switched to a new formula and your baby doesn’t like the taste?

Though seemingly minor, these things, as well as others, can have a big impact on the way your baby feeds. If nothing else seems to work, try to pin down other possible causes for “baby fussing during feeding bottle”.

Baby Nipple Too Slow or Too Fast

Hopefully, you are already aware of this, but if you aren’t, nipples that are to be attached to bottles come in different flow speeds. F

or younger babies, a slower flow is necessary. Older babies may take a faster flow. Other considerations include whether or not the baby is also being breastfed.

Speak to your paediatrician about the right flow for your baby. A nipple that flows too fast or too slow can have detrimental effects on your baby’s ability to have a comfortable meal.

You’re Giving Too Many Night Feeding Times

Waking up often to feed at night? This is a common occurrence but it can also be a hindrance to your baby’s daily feeding schedule. If you can, try to limit baby’s night feeds whenever possible. This isn’t to say that you should cut out all feeding at night right away. Rather, you should make sure that you aren’t overdoing it as babies only need a certain amount of calories per day

Baby Cries After Feeding Formula

How do you know formula doesn’t agree with baby?

A lot of times, your baby may grizzle simply because he or she isn’t taking formula well. It is well documented that breastmilk is indeed the optimal milk choice for babies, however, there are many reasons a mum might choose formula over breast milk.

If you notice that your baby is crying during or shortly after a bottle feed, is having difficulty taking a poo, is pulling his or her legs up to their chest whilst crying, is vomiting, having diarrhea, has mucus or blood in the stool or is exceptionally windy following feeding times, it may be that your baby is having a negative reaction to the formula you are attempting to feed him or her.

For more ways on how to spot negative reactions to formula and what to do about it, check out this expert bottle feeding and baby formula Q&A. Currently breastfeeding but thinking about switching baby over to formula bottle feeding in the nighttime? See this article about whether or not you should feed your baby formula at night.

Baby Fighting Bottle at 3 Months

Why is my baby fighting the bottle at 3 mos?

Maybe your baby fusses halfway through a bottle or maybe your baby refuses a bottle and cries. If all of this crops up at around 3 months of age, there could be several components at play.

One of the most likely scenarios is that your baby is teething. Although this may seem a bit early, 3 months is around the time that many babies begin to sprout their new teeth. As such, it is possible that because of the soreness and discomfort that teething often brings, your baby might not be interested in feeding during normal bottle times. That, or he or she may simply drink less than they used to.

The next factor that could play a role in why your baby is resisting a bottle is that he or she may be experiencing a condition known as thrush. Thrush is an oral fungal infection that affects many babies. This condition can cause pain, redness and burning in the mouth, and can even cause a loss of taste altogether which can adversely affect your baby’s eating habits.

Lastly, if you begin feeding your baby a bottle at 3 months, it may simply be too late. Babies that were formerly breastfed and are introduced to bottle feeding much later tend to reject the bottle. For information on how to overcome this hurdle and other barriers to bottle feeding speak to your local paediatrician.

Baby Fussing at Breast Milk

Baby Fussy During Feeding Bottle Breast Milk

Why is my baby fussing at bottled breast milk?

More times than not, a baby fussing at being fed bottled breast milk is likely more perturbed by the bottle itself and not the breast milk.

Having said that, if the breast milk is too cold, spoilt or if any of the aforementioned occurrences are going on, then it is possible that your baby will refuse to eat.

For information about whether or not breastfeeding or formula feeding is best for your baby, check out the pros and cons of breastfeeding versus formula feeding.

What Do I Do When My Baby Cries While Feeding?

If your baby is crying while feeding, you will need to immediately stop feeding your baby. First find out what is wrong. Is it that your baby isn’t hungry just yet? Could he or she be overtired and ready for bed? Is he or she in pain?

As previously reported, there are many reasons that a baby could be crying during a feed. It is imperative that you address the matter so that you can adequately feed your child.

How Do You Feed a Fussy Baby With a Bottle?

First, ensure that there are no wet nappies or other impending issues. These may be causing the child to cry in the first place.
Next, check the bottle itself. Make sure that the ring around the nipple of the bottle isn’t screwed on too tight. Also make sure that the nipple isn’t flowing too fast or too slow for what your baby can handle. Make sure the formula or breast milk you are feeding your baby is at a comfortable temperature, between 35-37 C.
Third, position your baby in such a way that he or she is comfortable. Never lie your baby all the way down as this causes ear infections. Simply cradle your child in your arms at a semi-upright position while tilting the bottle. This way, the milk fills the nipple entirely to prevent your baby from suckling air.
If you find your baby begins fussing at the bottle or is crying during a feed, simply stop the feed and assess the situation. Try to address any concerns that may be cropping up. Look for cues such as baby gulping the bottle and crying, baby pulling legs up, baby looking wild-eyed and kicking legs. These are all signs that something is off.

Tips For Proper Bottle Feeding

Always keep the baby in a semi-upright position, never lying flat.
Never prop up a bottle in a baby’s mouth. Also, never leave the bottle in his or her mouth when they aren’t actively sucking.
Speak to your paediatrician about switching formula if your baby doesn’t seem to agree with it.
Make sure not to twist the ring of the nipple too tightly around the bottle.
Check the flow of the nipple on the package it came in. This will ensure it is the proper speed for your child. The younger your baby is, the slower the flow will need to be.
If your baby fights the bottle but is still hungry then the chances are high that they are experiencing another ailment. These can come as over-tiredness, a dirty nappy or another conundrum. Try to solve the issue before attempting to feed again. If needed, put the baby down for sleep and continue feeding an hour or so later.
Always make sure the formula or breast milk is at, or slightly below, body temperature, around 37 C.
Never continue to feed a baby that is resisting feedings. Stop and try to assess the issue. Try again later if needed. It could simply be that your baby isn’t hungry yet or has already gotten enough calories.
Speak to your paediatrician for extra advice. Especially if you notice that your baby is losing or is gaining an excessive amount of weight.

Baby Fussy During Feeding Bottle? Baby Cries During Feeding? There’s Plenty You Can Do

All in all, while baby fussing during feeding isn’t fun, it can be overcome with a little patience and persistence. For more information on a baby who cries during bottle feeding, see What to Do When Baby Cries During Feeding Times.

BREASTFEEDING IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - GAU RS (Y) "Medical Center of Yakutsk"

BREASTFEEDING IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

In recent years, many bright jars with baby formula have appeared on the shelves of our stores. Manufacturers, in order to profitably sell their products, spend huge amounts of money on colorful advertising. It seems that the mixture is very easy to use - just dilute the bottle and there will be no problems!

In fact, no formula can replace breast milk. Mother's milk contains over 150 ingredients, most of which cannot be artificially synthesized. It contains all the substances necessary for the baby's body in a form that is ideal for a newborn. In addition, the composition of milk changes from day to day, from month to month, as the baby grows.

The newborn receives from mother's milk digestive enzymes, hormones and substances responsible for protecting the child from infection and allergies. For example, a child's body produces only 2/3 of thyroid hormones, and 1/3 is obtained from mother's milk. But this hormone is responsible for the formation of intelligence!

Breastfeeding develops the muscles of the tongue and mouth and promotes speech development.

Can bottle-feeding replace the feeling of love and protection that a child experiences at its mother's breast? No breast milk substitute carries information about love and tenderness!

Therefore, breast-fed children are friendlier, find better contacts with others and the opposite sex, and are less likely to suffer from drug addiction and alcoholism. They are 5-6 times less likely than artificers to suffer from intestinal infections, 4 times less often - colds and allergies, 2 times less often - liver, kidney, diabetes.

HOW TO START BREASTFEEDING?

It is very important that the baby is placed on the mother's stomach immediately after delivery. Skin-to-skin contact allows the child to reconnect with his mother, because after nine months spent in a cozy home, he enters a new, alien and cold world.

Eye contact is very important for establishing an emotional connection and it is important that the first face the baby sees is the face of mom or dad.

Early skin contact allows the baby's skin to become colonized with beneficial skin microorganisms and the baby becomes much more resistant to most germs introduced from other sources.

It is important that within 30 minutes after birth the baby is attached to the breast and receives the first drops of colostrum. Colostrum contains antibodies against most microbes and is a kind of vaccination that protects the baby from many diseases. It also promotes the maturation of the newborn's intestines and the release of meconium, the thick primordial feces.

WHEN IS MILK AVAILABLE?

During the first 3-4 days, colostrum comes out of the nipple. Normally, it is 50-70 ml per day and this is exactly the amount that the baby needs. A larger amount of food at this age can cause disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

A child is born with a 5-day supply of food, and within 4-5 days he is not threatened with hunger. At this time, there is a physiological loss of body weight, which can reach 10%. This is the normal state of the baby during "adult" life.

SHOULD THE BABY BE FEEDED ON ONE OR TWO BREASTS?

It depends entirely on the needs of the child. In the first few days. When milk is still low, give both breasts at every feed. Frequent sucking will speed up milk production. Then, when the milk arrives, follow the needs of the baby. When one breast is enough for a feed, simply alternate breasts, starting the first feed on the right breast and the next on the left.

Many mothers constantly feed their babies with both breasts at every feed. However, you need to make sure that the baby has completely sucked one breast before offering the other. Otherwise, the baby will receive only the first, more liquid portions of milk and receive less fat.

DOES A BABY NEED A PATCH?

If the baby is breastfed, he does not need bottles and pacifiers. The mechanism of sucking nipples and breasts is very different. The nipple must be sucked, and milk must be squeezed out of the breast. If the baby tries a pacifier or pacifier, it can reinforce the wrong sucking mechanism and the baby will refuse the breast.

Therefore, if you need to give your baby milk or medicine, you should use a small cup or spoon. Do not be afraid, even very young children in the maternity hospital drink perfectly from a cup.

The fact that the baby sucks his fingers or smacks his lips does not mean that he needs to suck something between feedings. There is no physiological need for a pacifier.

WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MILK?

Most importantly, don't panic and grab the formula box, because the amount of milk can be increased. Firstly, apply the baby to the breast on demand, at least 10-12 times a day. Night feedings are also required.

Secondly, never give your baby a pacifier or a bottle, he may refuse to breastfeed. Thirdly, since feeding a child is hard work, shift most of the housework to relatives, and only take care of the baby yourself. You need to rest and sleep.

An increase in the amount of milk is facilitated by a bath or a warm shower on the mammary glands and taking 1-2 glasses of any liquid 10-15 minutes before feeding. A neck and back massage will also help.

Pharmacies sell special lactogenic teas, such as Vitalakt.

As a rule, the increase in milk occurs by 7-10 days, so you will need patience.

DO NOT USE THE MIXTURE WITHOUT YOUR PHYSICIAN ADVICE!!!!

WHY DO CHILDREN CRY?

Many mothers believe that if the baby is crying, restless or often needs a breast, then this indicates a lack of milk.

However, babies can cry for a variety of reasons - they may be cold, hot or wet, or they may be wrapped too tightly in a diaper or have uncomfortable clothes. The child often worries if he has manifestations of allergies and itches. Many children, especially boys, suffer from colic until the age of 3-4 months.

If the child is gaining weight well and urinating 8 or more times a day, then the reason for crying is something else. Try changing your child's clothes, carrying him in your arms, massaging his tummy. If you can't determine the cause of your crying, see your doctor.

CAN A BABY REFUSE TO BREAST

The most common reason for not breastfeeding is pacifier or pacifier feeding. Having eaten at least once from a bottle, the child tries to suck on the breast like a pacifier, and not squeeze milk out of it. In this case, milk does not come from the breast, the baby is angry and refuses to suckle the breast.

The child is sensitive to unfamiliar surroundings. If the mother and baby are in an unfamiliar house or there are too many people around, the baby becomes restless and may also refuse to breastfeed. The child refuses the breast if it hurts to suck, for example, if there is thrush in the mouth, teeth are cut, or the nose is blocked.

Babies rely on the smell of milk and may refuse to breastfeed if the mother wears perfume, deodorant, or strong-smelling soaps. Some foods, such as garlic and spices, can change the taste of milk.

Do not give your baby a pacifier or pacifier!!!

HOW LONG DOES A BABY REQUIRE BREAST MILK?

Russian proverb says: “The first year a mother feeds her child for health, the second year for the mind”. And indeed it is. The complete immune and endocrine system of the child is formed by the age of 2, and until that time the child expects to receive part of the hormones and antibodies from the mother's body. Don't worry it's too long. After a year, the baby eats adult food all day, he has only 1-2 breastfeedings left. This will not tire you, and will allow you to go to work if you wish. However, feeding up to 2 years of age will allow your child to improve health.

WE WISH YOU AND YOUR BABY HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!!!

Frequently asked questions about breastfeeding We've answered the top 10 to help you successfully navigate this path.

1. How do I know when to feed my baby?

Feeding on demand (i.e., when the child feels hungry) is considered optimal, rather than on a schedule. Then the baby feels comfortable, gains weight better, and your body can respond in a timely manner to the baby's need for breast milk. The main signs that the baby is hungry: he begins to suck on his fist, smack his lips as if in search of breasts, move his head from side to side and stick out his tongue. Newborns need to be fed at least 8-12 times a day, that is, approximately every 2-3 hours (the time is counted from the start of one feeding to the start of the next).

2. How long does one feed take?

Some babies are in no hurry, while others are in a hurry to eat quickly. Breastfeeding from start to finish can take from 5 minutes to one hour - this time depends on whether the baby is large, his age and frequency of feeding.

3. How long should I breastfeed each breast?

The feeding time of each breast depends on the amount of milk in them. It is best to empty one breast before applying the baby to the other. If the baby has enough milk from one breast, apply it to the other at the next feeding.

4. I feel a little pain while feeding. What to do?

A little soreness or tenderness in the nipples at the beginning of feeding, especially if you are just starting to breastfeed in general, is quite normal. However, if the pain does not go away over time, you must immediately take the necessary measures to eliminate it - you do not need to put up with it. First of all, you need to correct the attachment of the baby to the breast and pay attention to how he grabs the nipple, because often the wrong attachment of the baby to the breast causes pain and as a result can lead to cracked nipples. In order not to interrupt breastfeeding with cracked nipples, use protective silicone nipple pads.

After birth, the baby loses weight – this is a normal physiological process. The baby's weight will return to its original weight by the second week after birth. Further weight gain per week should be 180-200 g per week at the age of 1-3 months, 120-130 g per week at the age of 3-6 months. takes the breast and actively suckles, gives the impression of being healthy and happy if, after waking up, he is active, and after feeding he looks satisfied.

6. Can I breastfeed if I am on medication or sick? You can take various medications while breastfeeding, but check with your doctor first.

7. Can I drink coffee and alcohol while breastfeeding?

It is not recommended to drink alcohol while breastfeeding. One or two cups a day of caffeinated drinks will not harm your baby. It could be coffee or tea. Excessive caffeine intake can make your baby irritable and cause trouble sleeping.

8. Does my child need other drinks?

For the first 6 months of a baby's life, breast milk is the best and most sufficient food. Convenient, isn't it?

9. Can breastfeeding be combined with bottle feeding?

It usually takes three to six weeks to establish a feeding schedule, during which it is recommended that the baby be breastfed exclusively. Feeding the baby with expressed milk from a bottle during this period is undesirable. However, once breastfeeding is established, you can begin to combine breastfeeding and bottlefeeding if needed. It is best to use special bottles to combine with breastfeeding: a doctor will give you more detailed advice.

Yes, working mothers can continue to breastfeed! The baby will still be able to get all the nutrients from breast milk if you express and save your milk in advance. You need to pump at about the same frequency as you would feed your baby yourself to maintain a normal flow of milk. Start pumping a few weeks before going to work to get used to the process. How to choose a breast pump? An electronic breast pump* ensures maximum efficiency and a natural process, while manual breast pumps are compact and easy to take with you. After pumping, place the container or bag of milk in the refrigerator or freezer. Breast milk can be stored for 24 hours in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

In conclusion about support...

Never hesitate to contact your doctor with any questions - even if they seem minor to you. Here are some questions to ask your doctor about:

Your baby asks for feeds irregularly (normal frequency is at least 8-10 times a day)
Your baby has irregular stools
pain or your nipples are sore
Your breast milk supply does not seem to be replenished by the third or fourth feed a day
Baby is anxious and does not seem full after most feeds
Baby is not gaining enough weight or is losing weight