Author Topic: reflex causing bottle refusal?  (Read 1360 times)

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Offline noah's mama

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reflex causing bottle refusal?
« on: April 02, 2007, 16:24:34 pm »
ds#2 is 4 months old...I've been trying off and on since 2 months, and persistently for the last 2 weeks, to get him to take a bottle with no luck. I'm not willing (yet) to just let him go hungry until he takes it, but I've tried pretty well everything else. He just pushes the bottle out of his mouth with his tongue. I'm wondering if it's that reflex that's causing him to reject the bottle (I can't remember the medical name for it, but it's the reason you can't give a baby who's too young solid food, because they just push it back out of their mouths).
   I'm wondering if anyone else has experience with a baby who previously wouldn't take a bottle, but then suddenly would once they were taking solids too?
   Just looking for a little hope here...I'm beginning to feel like I'm never going to get a few hours that are baby-free.
Deb
Mom to Noah 11-28-04
and Simon 11-22-06

Offline Samuel's mum

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Re: reflex causing bottle refusal?
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2007, 16:50:53 pm »
The thrust reflex you describe is an interesting thought! I guess it makes sense but it doesn't happen with the boob and they also have a suck reflex too so you'd think it would balance out!
I'm going to leave this post on the breastfeeding board - although it's really about bottlefeeding - as you need insight from mothers whose babies refuse bottles or only took them when older.

If it becomes more 'bottle' focused I'll move it to bottle-feeding if that's ok. :)
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Offline Erin (redstarfalling)

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Re: reflex causing bottle refusal?
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2007, 18:31:45 pm »
I ended up just moving to the sippy cup when my lo was a bit older.  You could also try feeding him when still sleepy....maybe he won't be thrusting it away so much.  What you're describing is exactly what my dd1 did though.  REALLY frustrating!!  I'm hopeful for you though!  :)
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Offline noah's mama

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Re: reflex causing bottle refusal?
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2007, 23:09:53 pm »
Thanks ladies. Please feel free to move this if it's better off elsewhere.
I just don't know how I'm going to get this lo to take a bottle...and I really need a break.
I guess I"ll just keep trying and hope for the best!
Deb
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and Simon 11-22-06

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Re: reflex causing bottle refusal?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2007, 05:38:11 am »
We'll move it to the bottle feeding board and see if you have any more responses.

If you are worried about the tongue reflex issue - have you tried an open cup? Breastfed babies as young as newborns use open cups - you can even buy teeny tiny feeding cups like little medicine cups.
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Offline noah's mama

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Re: reflex causing bottle refusal?
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2007, 18:15:45 pm »
Alright, after trying everything in the "tips for getting bf baby to take a bottle" post...I'm trying a new plan. I'm going to give him a little formula after each feeding from an oral syringe. He takes zantac from a syringe so he's used to eating things that way. Maybe if he gets used to getting some formula he'll start taking the bottle.
I'm thinking he maybe just doesn't like the formula, rather than it being a bottle problem (and I just don't have the time or the extra milk to give him EBM).
I'll try a little cup too if the the syringe fails.
Deb
Mom to Noah 11-28-04
and Simon 11-22-06

Offline noah's mama

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Re: reflex causing bottle refusal?
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2007, 16:29:37 pm »
Not sure if my original question is answered...but I did get Simon to take a bottle at last...after getting him used to the formula by taking some from a syringe.
He's also just about ready for solids, which means that thrust reflex is fading....coincidence? I guess we'll never know!
Deb
Mom to Noah 11-28-04
and Simon 11-22-06