Refusing bottle

[karinothing]

So DS has been taking a bottle for MONTHS without an issue. He got sick on Monday and I stayed home and nursed him all day. On Tuesday DH stayed home and he refused to take a bottle, sippy cup, or regular cup. Since he was sick and had a high fever DH eventually used the syringe to get some fluids in him and I came home to nurse.

Daycare just called me and said he is refusing his bottle again (he smacks the providers hand away when she hands it to him). I am going to nurse him at lunch, but this is surely a phase right? He hasn't had a fever since yesterday morning (it was 101 then). I normally wouldn't worry, but since he has been sick it is kind of making me paranoid about making sure he stays hydrated.

[anna7602]

When I saw the title of your post, I was about to list all the techniques I tried with DD when she was 4 months old and refusing a bottle.

However, I read your post and wonder if your child is teething? Maybe the bottle bothers his gums?

[karinothing]

Hmm, maybe. He didn't do this last time he teethed, but I guess every time is different. He just appears totally not interseted. He isn't acting upset or hungry though. I think he just really wants to nurse.

[hannamaren]

Do you keep shoving it in his face?
Layla refuses the bottle (and she is ff) sometimes because she is just being a baby. She refuses and pushes it away a couple times, and eventually after I give her a couple breaks, she takes it. So annoying and most other people just assume she doesnt want it. Also, sometimes she wants to hold it herself.
Your issue sounds like the nursing all day may have caused a relapse, but just in case.

[karinothing]

Aug 23, 2012 8:26:07 GMT -5 hannamaren said:

Do you keep shoving it in his face?
Layla refuses the bottle (and she is ff) sometimes because she is just being a baby. She refuses and pushes it away a couple times, and eventually after I give her a couple breaks, she takes it. So annoying and most other people just assume she doesnt want it. Also, sometimes she wants to hold it herself.
Your issue sounds like the nursing all day may have caused a relapse, but just in case.

ha ha a boob relapse.

Yeah, DH and the daycare provider keeps trying. He does hold his own bottles, but he is refusing to even hold on to it.

[anna7602]

Aug 23, 2012 8:19:47 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Hmm, maybe. He didn't do this last time he teethed, but I guess every time is different. He just appears totally not interseted. He isn't acting upset or hungry though. I think he just really wants to nurse.

Try numbing his gums a little with a frozen bagel or wash cloth or something first next time and see if he will then take the bottle. I guess you can't do this at daycare, but maybe have your DH try it in the evening. (Not you, because he will probably want your boob if he sees you.)

DD's teething was different every time. She went on a complete nursing strike for one and would want to nurse round-the-clock for other teeth.

[londoncalling]

What was the outcome of you thinking that he had HFM? Could his mouth be sore from that?

We went through a week of this with DD2 and she finally reverse cycled and started eating overnight.

[karinothing]

Aug 23, 2012 9:46:37 GMT -5 londoncalling said:

What was the outcome of you thinking that he had HFM? Could his mouth be sore from that?

We went through a week of this with DD2 and she finally reverse cycled and started eating overnight.

Yeah, I don't know if he ever really had it. I felt too bad trying to pry open his mouth to see (when he screamed). I just went to nurse him at lunch and he wasn't into that either (was just laying back and laughing at me, and then bit me ).

[satama]

I also think it is probably related to teething or illness. What made you think he had HFM before? It usually starts as a fever before any sores are present.

[karinothing]

Aug 23, 2012 11:50:30 GMT -5 satama said:

I also think it is probably related to teething or illness. What made you think he had HFM before? It usually starts as a fever before any sores are present.

He had a fever and was super drooly (like bassiet hound level). He kept putting his hands in his mouth (which he hasn't done in a long time). Also it is currently making the rounds (our good friend's daugther just got it for the 2nd time). Finally, I was trying to look in his mouth and thought I saw a white blister, but it was really hard to check, so I am not sure what it was.