C.W. asks from Amherst, NH on August 06, 2010
Bottle (Maybe Nipple) Advice - Drooling While Eating
My son is 7 months old. He has taken a bottle since I went back to work a few months ago. In general it goes very well. However, I have to keep a cloth diaper under his chin so he doesn't get soaked. As he takes the bottle it seems a stead trickle is also leaving his mouth. I have just been dealing with it but was thinking maybe it could be remedied by trying a different bottle. Has anyone else experienced this? Currently I'm using the Playtex drop-ins with the slowest nipple.
So What Happened?™
I tried the faster nipple and that resulted in even more dribbling. I also attempted giving him formula in a sippy cup. He was more curious than anything (as he's still on the young side for that - I know). So I'm back to the start but with a little more patience and having him sit up a bit seems to help a little too.
More Answers
M.B. answers from Philadelphia on August 06, 2010
Is he drooling saliva or formula? Sometimes babies who were exclusively breastfed take longer to get the hang of a bottle nipple, even it if is the slowest stage. How long does it take him to eat the whole bottle? If it's a long time, he may actually be bored with it because it comes out too slow! He is old enough that that may be the case.
If not, watch him while he is eating and look to see if he is sucking really hard to get it out. If so, he may need a faster nipple. I know that sounds contradictory, but it's tough to figure out and sometimes what works is the thing that doesn't make sense! :)
I used the Avent bottles with my son, and he did well. I BF exclusively for 6 months, although he did get bottles of breast milk starting at 3 months. I liked them a lot, but it is a trial and error sometimes. They do have a bottle, and I can't remember what it's called, that is supposed to be "just like" the breast, but my son got very annoyed with it. Anyway, I hope this helps a little. Good luck to you and your little droolbug! :)
C.C. answers from Boston on August 08, 2010
This is normal. Don't worry about it - it will improve quite soon.
D.H. answers from Indianapolis on August 06, 2010
You can try changing the bottles, and that might help, but he also might be starting to get some teeth in.........have you checked his gums? It's a little early, but some kids do.
Try holding him up alittle bit more than you are too.....instead of having him lying down in your arms, try propping him up a bit......that also might help......maybe he is taking in too much milk......
Take care and hang in there.
H.S. answers from Hartford on August 07, 2010
I used to use drop-ins with my son and had a similar problem, so we switched to Ventaire. Maybe you could try the Ventaire Wides?
I use a bib with my son too; it's a lot easier than trying to keep a burp cloth under his chin with his arms flailing around!
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