r/FormulaFeeders • u/Wrong_Inevitable_401 • 24d ago

Bottle Aversion / Feeding Refusal ❌ Bottle Aversion Is Slowly Breaking Me

I never thought feeding my baby would become something that makes me cry every day. After a difficult pregnancy, birth, reflux/CMPA worries and so many challenges, I always stayed positive… but bottle aversion is breaking me in ways I didn’t expect.

The thought that this can last for months makes me so anxious and sad. I feel like I’m losing myself and even losing the calm connection I had with my baby. I’m trying my absolute best, reading everything, learning every method, watching every wake window and feeding cue… but some days I feel completely defeated.

Please tell me there is light at the end of this tunnel. 🤍

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u/LobsterIndependent11 24d ago

How old is you baby? Can you start introducing a Straw cup or sippy cup? Maybe if your LO feels like they have 100% control of their feeds his intake will increase?

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u/Wrong_Inevitable_401 24d ago

She’s 15 weeks old, so I think it’s still a bit early for a straw cup or sippy cup. I have thought about it because she always wants to control the bottle herself and seems frustrated during feeds, but I’m honestly extremely desperate and scared right now. I’m terrified she’ll keep losing weight or her intake will drop so much that we’ll end up needing other interventions like a feeding tube. I’m trying everything I can to make feeding calm and positive again.

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u/LobsterIndependent11 24d ago

If it can help, at 4 months my LO was very distracted while feeding and was frustrated in the craddle position because he couldnt look around so freely, soooo I tried to put him lying flat on his back on his snuggle me, and offered him the bottle, he took it with his hands and drank happily while looking around, I just stayed beside him to help with the bottle if he had difficulties and we did it till he was able to roll and crawl out of the feeding position after 2oz 😅 Then I switched strategy and fed in a dark room on his rocking chair so that he focus on feeding and that is what is working at the moment. 😅

All that being said sometime changing position, or finding ways to give your LO more control over the feed can sometime help! And adapting all of his developmental change.

If your LO likes holding a bottle, add handle to your bottle and let your LO take the lead! Stay close to help but let your baby lead!

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u/younghulk46 23d ago

In a very similar boat!!