Unable to cope

Hi my child has a bottle aversion I’m following the rowenna bennet book on day 2 and I’m struggling so much is their anyone that has come through on the other side that can support me

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

Yes!! I'm more than happy to talk to you if you want to message privately. My LB had a bottle aversion since about 7/8 weeks old, he had an NG tube put in around 4 months old and then a long term NG in at 7 months old. It was a battle especially to get doctors to listen to us, they told us it was CMPA, that it was because of reflux, we tried every single milk and medication and nothing helped.

He had a ton of tests whilst admitted to hospital to see if they could determine the cause. In the end he was referred to a specialist and diagnosed with Gastroparesis. He never ate more than 2oz at a time on a good day and could go 13hrs inbetween bottles with barely any wet nappies and he was SO constipated all the time, he'd go 6+ days until we had to use a Frida Windi or suppository.

We tried Rowenas method for 2 months and it didn't seem to help for us with his want to eat but his behaviour around the bottle improved, I think that's mainly because his issue was medical.

He's now the happiest little 15 month old, he eats SO well, hasn't had a bottle since 4 months old and refuses them and milk even now. He is off his NG now though for the past 3 months and is gaining weight without it. There's light at the end of it, my LB started to improve around one year old.

It ruins your mental health, if you need to I would definitely recommend talking therapy to be referred to the perinatal team if you need it. I am so so sorry you and your LO are going through this.

My little one developed an aversion at around 3/4 months. Started because was told she has CMPA and trailed new formula, she refused it all.

Nothing worked for her…. Apart from going back to the original formula. Well worked ish, with just normal aptimal I’m able to get her to drink at least 500ml a day.

We weaned at 5 months though due to low intake and she has 3 meals a day now (she’s 8 months). I don’t put any pressure on bottles and just let her take the lead. She gets enough with her meals etc she has and takes some from the 4 bottles I offer her a day and is happy and healthy, in the 75th percentile so even with the low milk intake she’s never dropped weight drastically

It’s so incredibly draining, and mentally exhausting. I don’t have much advice unfortunately as we are going through the same thing 😭. Sending love & hope your way xx

in our community

RANT - Health Visitor complaint

I’ve just had the health visitor over for my 7 week old sons 6/8 week check and was wondering if this is ok or should I report this to save the next person who might not be as strong?

Baby boy was crying when she arrived and told me he sounds like he’s in pain, but had no suggestions on what to do and asked me if I still love him when he cries like that. She then asked me to list ‘3 reasons why i love my son’ and just sat staring at me until i answered - I was so on edge I couldn’t answer and she just raised her eyebrows at me and moved on. Asking me all extreme depression / mental health questions and going on and on and then watched over me why I filled in a depression chart.
Then told me I’m making bad habits by holding him when he sleeps, she’s the only midwife i’ve ever come across who has that option of a 7 week old baby? And then said if I continue to go to him when he cries he’ll learn that he can cry to get what he wants so told me to leave him to cry it out which goes against ALL advice online for this age?!

We are at our most vulnerable that we will probably ever be in our entire life postpartum. We will never forget the way people treat us. Postnatal depression is REAL. Imagine the next woman she says this too doesn’t cope with having those things said to her?

Alcohol and breastfeeding — feeling really guilty

Has anyone else ever ended up breastfeeding sooner than they intended after having a couple of drinks?

I normally try to keep track of what I’ve had and use an app to estimate when the alcohol has cleared, but tonight my baby completely refused the bottle and was absolutely demanding the breast. My estimated level was 0.23‰ (0.023%) when I fed her and I was only a few minutes away from the app saying I was good to go.

Rationally I know that’s a really small amount, but I feel awful because I’m now thinking back to other occasions where I’ve had drinks and breastfed and wondering whether I’ve accidentally exposed her more than I realised.

I’m not a regular/heavy drinker, it’s more dinners, holidays, occasions etc, but the mum guilt is getting to me. Has anyone else worried about this? How do you manage drinking and breastfeeding, especially if your baby refuses bottles? Please be kind ❤️

Cradle cap

Has anyone got any tips on how to get rid of cradle cap? I’ve tried oil and the frida cradle cap brush but it just doesn’t seem to want to go.

4 month old distress

Hi please can I get some advice? in the last few days my four month old has suddenly become very very fussy specifically I’m noticing she’s doing this New thing where she will clench her fists and stretch her arms up above her head she will arch her back and it almost looks like she’s straining or something because her face will go a bit red and she’ll sort of make a grunting/crying noise. It seems like she’s in some sort of discomfort but I’ve got no idea what it is. I’ve tried doing bicycle legs and tummy massage and nothing‘s changed with her formula. Shes feeding as normal. She’s pooing as normal. If anything she probably had an extra one or two today, I haven’t noticed her passing much gas so I don’t know if that’s what it could be.
I’m just worried because I literally can’t put her down at the moment. Every time I lay her down she does it, she has been doing it on and off all day , I try put her in the bouncer which she normally loves and she immediately will throw her arms up, arch her back and effectively try to throw herself out of it. What could it be ?

when did your shit sleeping baby get better and did you have to do anything to change

10 month old sleep is terrible. Was doing okay till 7 months but since wakes after 20 mins at bedtime. Then needs constant patting to settle throughout the night. I'm averaging 3 / 4 hours of broken sleep, 0 time to myself and really am not enjoying motherhood

Weaning off formula

My little girl is going to be one in just over a week 😭 and has about half a tub of formula left - how are people weaning onto cows milk (or whatever alternative you’re using?)
I don’t want to have to buy more formula now so am looking to slowly start the switching process but have no idea how?