9 Week Old Fussy with Bottle

Updated on May 12, 2008
C.C. asks from Redding, CT
17 answers

My son is almost 9 weeks old. He has been formula fed since he was born. He eats about 6 oz per feeding now. We've been using Dr Browns bottles for a few weeks. Over the last couple days he has become very fussy and will sometimes cry about 2 ounces into the bottle. It takes him up to 45 minutes to finish the bottle whereas he used to finish in 20 minutes or less. I have not changed bottles or formula in the last month. Does any one have any ideas or advice regarding why he might be so fussy?

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So What Happened?

Thank you to everyone who responded to my request for help. I got lots of great ideas :) Our little guy is doing much better now. We tried a faster nipple that night but he ate way too fast and was super gassy. The next day we decided to cut back on his formula amount and only gave him 4 ounces instead of 6 with LOTS of stops for burps during his feeding. He did so much better. He's been great ever since and is back up to 6 ounces; with no fussing during feedings. We didn't end up needing to switch formula this time but I think that will definitely be a possibility if the same problem happens again. Thanks again!

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Q.R.

answers from Boise on

C.,
I've found that happens when the baby is wanting more milk to come out of the bottle than is coming. Usually for bottles like Avent, they have sizes for the nipples on the bottle, and you start with a #1 then move up to a #2, etc. as they grow. I don't know so much about DR Browns bottles, but maybe you should try moving to a bottle or a nipple that puts out more milk, or poke some more holes in it.:)lol. Hopefully that helps. I just know my son had the same problem. He was starving until I changed the nipple on the bottle and he did much better. It just sounds like he is getting frusterated that he is not able to get very much milk out fast enough anymore. Lots of luck!
Qandryel

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C.N.

answers from Pueblo on

I went through this with my little girl right about the same exact time. I ended up switching her to Infamel AR for a couple months and it worked like a charm, noticed a major difference with the first bottle of it! I think she had some acid reflux....might be worth the try!

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W.L.

answers from Boise on

Sometimes your child will go through growth spurts and eat a whole bunch and then they will not be willing to eat as much. I would watch this and see if it helps. Also, feeding a baby too much at one time does cause an upset tummy. My daughter went through this and I had to back her back down to 4 oz per feeding and she did a whole lot better. Good Luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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W.G.

answers from Denver on

Maybe you could keep a couple of his poopy diapers and take them into your pediatrician. My daughter got very fussy and ended up having latent blood in her stool (a simple test from the stool sample that takes a couple of minutes at the doc's office) which indicated a dairy/soy allergy. You can always try switching bottles/nipples too. Have you tried gripe water for calming his tummy? Hope this resolves quickly.

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M.N.

answers from Denver on

My daughter used to be that way and I had to change formulas because it didn't agree with her, find out later on it was an allergy to it. The other thing is the nipple may be flowing to fast for the child making him a little gassy. If you have some mylicon try .03 in his bottle and it may help. hope this helps and gl

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T.E.

answers from Denver on

My little girl did the same thing, she is 2 now. We switched bottles, formulas, burped, pumped legs, mylicon, gripe water, pumped breast milk, because she couldn't latch on, sitting her up more when we fed her. Nothing really seemed to work. It was never a full blown cry (like colic,)she would just get cranky. Whatever it was she finally got over it, especially when she could eat a little cereal which I didn't start until she was 5 months. And she was really happy when she could drink out of sippy cup which was at 5 months.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

I had a couple of thoughts. It could be an allergy to the formula or reflux. I hadn't thought about the nipple being frustrated. That's a good thought as well. I hope you find an answer quick. :)

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R.R.

answers from Denver on

HI C.,

I have a couple of suggestions.

1. When my children were small, I had to have my husband swaddle them very tightly or when they fed, bubbles got into their stomachs and it hurt during the feedings.

2. For some reason, soy formulas worked better.

3. My oldest son also had some heartburn issues that we did not realize, so double check with your pediatrician.

I wish you the best, and happy days with that beautiful baby.

I am well past that stage, mine are 7 to 13 y/o.

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K.B.

answers from Denver on

Sounds like gas or even reflux. If it doesn't improve if you burp every couple ounces and it continues you should let your pediatrician know so that he doesn't start to refuse the bottle because of the pain. Also, make sure he's pretty upright while feeding him.

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T.T.

answers from Denver on

I would have him checked for acid reflux. It is very common in babies and will go away by the time they are a year. Treatment is pretty easy. You'll probably get some Baby Zantac to give him twice a day and then hold him as upright as possible while you feed him and keep him upright for a half hour after feeding. You can get one of those positioning wedges to put under the mattress to keep him elevated while sleeping. But it usually presents itself around 6 weeks to 2 months. So I'd talk to your doctor about that possibility.

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C.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My bbay was relly fussy like that. and she was also bottal fed from day one. it could be the formula, it really depend on what kind your useing. What kind?? Good start formula is easier to digest because of the comfort protiens. my little girl had a hard time digesting her protiens so try that rought first then try similac alimentim, it pricey but he could be allergic to cows protien

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L.N.

answers from Providence on

He might have acid reflux where acid is coming up into his throat and burning it. They can be put on medication if it's bad enough, otherwise slightly propping his crib mattress with a thin blanket so his head is slightly elevated. Keeping him slightly elevated during and after feedings, burping often throughout feeding and after. Also, maybe the formula is bothering his tummy now? Good luck.

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L.R.

answers from Pocatello on

Hi C.-my little guy starting doing the same thing about 6-7 weeks old-would fuss and cry about 2 oz into the bottle. This continues till last week (3 1/2 months later and not gaining weight like he should). We tried switching formulas and bottles and ended up sticking with Advance AireVent by Playtex. I had a lot of people tell me he had colic but I did not agree. He was put on reflux meds and switched to Enfamil AR----So....possibly reflux? Just a thought? Good luck-I know it isn't fun is it?

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

Some babies seem to be a little gassier than others so maybe at about an oz and a half try burping him to see if then he will finish the bottle. I worked in a daycare years ago and i remember some babies could down a whole bottle with no problem and others had to be burped about every 2 oz. So you could give that a try. I know that there are also may different kinds of formula maybe this kind is too h*** o* his stomach and you might need to try a different kind.

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C.B.

answers from Denver on

Is he burping at regularly? He needs to burp because the gas is probably building up and causing colic. It will make him really fussy and unhappy. Make sure all the gas is out of his body that will help. If you are still having problems, call the DR. and see what he/she says.
C. B

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K.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

i would stop feeding when he acts like he doesn't want anymore. he'll eat when he's hungry

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T.S.

answers from Fort Collins on

I'm not familar with Dr Browns bottles but with the Avent there are different size nipples. Every couple months they need to be changed. If your little one has to work too hard to get the formula out, it could be why he is fussy.

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