problems with bedtime bottle.

[*Becky*]

Hi,
I am having real difficulty getting my lo to take his bedtime bottle and it is getting very stressful!
He is 8.5 months old and his day is all out at the moment as he is OT due to developmental milestones. For the last 2 weeks he has not wanted his bedtime bottle and tonight he just refused it so I had to bring him downstairs and basically force feed him. He wakes so early anyway and the thought of going back to night feeds is horrid.
This is how the day looks at the moment

E - 6.30am milk - 8oz - solids at 7.30-8am
Nap at some point
E - 11am - solid lunch with milk around 12.30/1pm - 8oz
Nap at some point
E - 4pm - solid tea
8oz milk before bed at around 6.15pm.

The first bottle is guzzled and the second is ok. Sometimes leaves 1 oz but the last is a nightmare. I know he is tired but he needs to drink it!!!

Help...
Becky x

[dbanana]

I have been having some troubles with my lo and she would not take her night time bottle either up until the last four days and she has been almost STTN. So here is what went on with her:
* I switched the nipple from her bottle to a faster one
* changed to a formula for sensitive tummies
* made sure her dinner was atleast 1.5 hours before her bedtime bottle

So this is what I did and the formula made the biggest difference.
Does he drink one or two ozs and then act like he is full ?? Is he waking every hour after going to bed??
if yes to both there is a good chance that the formula is bothering his tummy. you can either switch it and see or go and talk to a doctor about what is going on. I hope this helps!

[*Becky*]

Thanks for your response
No - he is fine with the milk, has been having it since birth and STTN for the last 4 months. The nipple is the fastest one and dinner is at least 2 hours before milk.
I am pretty sure it is due to tiredness but tbh that is a hard one to crack at the moment as there is so much going on. I am starting to dread bedtime as I know the battle we will have and it is weird as he has always been so good with his milk.
Becky x

[dbanana]

Ok! So another thought maybe he needs to have his naps at the same time everyday. It can be hard to keep them the same some days this I know we have been having such a hard time since our lo was born. She was always Ot or Ut at some point and it is hard to figure it out. You may just have to watch the clock for a few days and make sure he goes down for naps at the same time. Can't really help much more than that but keep me posted  and maybe something will ding in my head!

[*Becky*]

Thank you
I have thought about set naps as we have had such a hard time with naps and it would not be exaggerating to say that out of 8.5 months of his life I think naps have gone well for maybe 3 weeks in total!!!
He is touchy/spirited so always a challenge....
bx

[dbanana]

I would try have fixed naps then and see where that takes you ! Good luck!!

[*Becky*]

well things no better but he is taking 20 oz in total so hope that is ok. Not much I can do if he won't take it. Aaagh!