Seven month old refused bottle and breast

[CJmom]

We just switched my seven month old to bottles except his feed in the middle of the night. All was going well for almost a week, he's always gone back and forth with bottles and breast. But the last couple of days he starts screaming and won't take his bottle. I've tried to breast feed him as well and he still cries.  He seem to take his bottle before bed ok but the rest are a battle. I do believe he's teething again but we didn't have this problem with his first teeth. He is eating solids well but he's only taking three to four ounces at three of his bottle feeds (sometimes even less) a full 8 at bed time and a good feed around 12 -1. Should I be worried?

[* Paula *]

Sounds like teething is playing a big part in it.  Some teeth are more painful than others.  It is not just the teeth cutting through the gums which is painful, but also the teeth moving up in the gums.  Perhaps your lo has a few teeh pushing up at the same time, and this is what is causing discomfort.

Have you tried some teething gel a few minutes before a feed to see if that helps ease any discomfort?

I would offer feeds as normal, and if your lo is refusing, I would not force the issue, as you don't want to create a feeding phobia. 

[Tansy]

I agree with pp, we just had a similar problem and two days ago ds just cut two teeth! Since then his feeds have improved, though i still give him a teething gel just before as they are still a discomfort for him. HTH

[CJmom]

I have tried some teething gel, it's weird he'll eat maybe 1- 2 ounces just fine and I think yeah he's eating, then he pushes it away and will not take anymore.  He did it with his last feed, and I settled him till he was almost alseep and then tried feeding him and he ate the whole 8 ounces??  We'll see how today goes, I'll try the gel before each feed and see if that helps

[* Paula *]

Thats the thing with teething.  They will only eat what they need so that they are just not feeling hungry enough.

Huge hugs, things will get better soon 

Let us know how you get on with the teething gel.

[CJmom]

So I tried the teething gel this morning and he did eat a full 4 ounces, which is less than before but way more than in the last couple of days.   So hopefully this will help.  I think he's getting more than one tooth and seems really uncomfortable this time, poor little guy!  Thanks for the help : )

[* Paula *]

Great news on the 4oz.

Poor little guy, hope the teeth come through quickly for you.