Bottle aversion help
Hi! I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to overcome a bottle aversion?
My little girl has had reflux since she was born, she’s now 7 months. The reflux has been the root of our problem but that’s being dealt with and I believe it’s being managed. However, now she has a terrible bottle aversion that’s gotten worse since starting solids. She’s doing amazing with solids, is eating 3 meals and now snacks because she’s replacing her milk. I can’t even get her to look at a bottle and I have tried swapping bottles / teats/ using cups.
The only bottle she will accept is the bedtime one and even then it’s somewhere between 4-7oz.
I’m really trying to follow her lead and not put pressure on her to take the milk as I know it’ll make things worse but it’s really hard not to get stressed about her liquid intake.
She is having wet nappies still and is thriving and doing great developmentally.
My GP suggested spoon feeding / syringe feeding the bottle but this is not a realistic option for me as I have a toddler as well.
We have been referred to a dietician and also paediatrics but not heard back.
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Have a look at the rowena bennet book on bottle aversion my little girls developed it from the same reason honestly worse part was feeding, things improved by following tips and not putting ‘pressure on them’ if they didn’t want the milk you try twice if they still didn’t want it end the feed and try at the next one. I know it’s really stressful I’ve been where you are sending love x
My LB struggled with this too but ended up on an NG eventually. We were suggested spoon feeding/syringe feeding too but like you, we decided to get the milk into him he needed we'd have to do that constantly the entire day, it wasn't a viable option and didn't fix the issue.
We unfortunately never did get through it and LO is still underweight and under paediatricians/dieticians but we did try the rowena bennett bottle aversion method and that helped with his behaviour towards the bottle. He went from screaming from being put into the feeding position to refusing the bottle happily, but it is super strict and I know that it involves reducing solids until LO has no choice but to drink, so it can be taxing on your mental health as a parent especially if you have another LO to take care of.
Around 7 months, we introduced the tumtum cups to our LB and thats what got him drinking liquids, albeit very diluted juice (please don't come for me we were desperate!🫠) We also found that the -
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