Four Month Old Refusing to Feed

As long as he is acting like a normal baby and still has wet and dirty diapers I would just let it go. Both of my kids go through cycles in their eating. When they have just grown they slow down and aren't as hungry. When they get ready to grow I can't seem to feed them enough. They just eat and eat. Maybe your son is taking a pause in his growing and doesn't need as much. Give it a few weeks (2-3) and see if he doesn't pick back up on it. Just don't force him to eat if he's not ready. It will start a really bad habit.

Well, all of those things are possible, but might he have an ear infection from being sick?

relax if he is happy and is not fussy he is find he will eat enough for him an dyou feed him more breast milk he is not loseing weight so he will be fine

Both of my girls (now 2 1/2 & 19 mo) would & still do slack off eating or drinking for about 2 weeks after being sick. Recently the 19 mo had pneumonia and because of the congestion, we kept her off milk for about a week and we are having a hard time getting her to drink milk again! But that is improving. Just hang in there and his appetite will come back. I have a friend whose child has ezcema and they have put their child on Mona-Vie (it is a nutritional beverage - all fruit-no apples!) and they have notice the ezcema is better!We are distributors and all 3 of our girls drink it (our oldest is 18 years!)check it out at TheGreatProduct.com/Team212. Good luck with your son!
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Hi F.! You might want to try to go back to just nursing the baby. That sounds like so much work to me to pump and feed the baby a bottle. I think it is easier to just nurse the baby. Try that for awhile and see if it helps.

The other thing I would suggest is laying down to nurse. It is more relaxing for you and your milk will let down easier. That way the baby will get more milk. With two little ones you need all the rest that you can get.

The other thing that worked really well for me was to read my older child a book while I nursed the baby. That way everyone was relaxing while the baby was being nursed. My older child called it "mommy time." Both he and the baby were getting "mommy time."

With a second child it is easy to get "busy" and really not feed the second child as much as you fed the first child. Second children are typically less demanding than first children when it comes to nursing. Nursing is basic supply and demand. Your body will produce whatever it needs to produce to feed the baby. If the baby is nursing often it means that your milk supply is low and nursing often will increase your milk supply.

My older son was always off the chart...way over 100th percentile. My second child was off the chart on height and 50th percentile on weight. My oldest son has always been tall and built solid. My second son is a tall, lanky 17 year old now. All kids are different.

If you are concerned about the baby's weight gain make sure you are doing these three key things--eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids (no caffeine because it dehydrates you), and get plenty of rest. Your hubby can wash the dishes, put in a load of clothes, and pick up your 3 year old's toys. It is important that you go to bed early and get plenty of sleep. You need rest for your body to produce enough breast milk to feed the baby. Take care of you and make nursing the baby your priority for the next year.

Enjoy your little ones!

Yes, yes yes! Yes, he could still be recouping from his illness around Easter. Yes, he could be going through a lull in his growth rate, and not need as much. Yes, breastmilk is the best for baby, but it is what it is.. usually, a mother who has a child with similar sensitivities will already naturally be avoiding the triggers that make her uncomfortable, and therefore will be protecting her baby. If he is allergic or sensitive, you may see other signs.. shadows under his eyes, rash on his bottom, eczema, irritability or unusual behavior, etc. Medicines can also cause a decrease in appetitite, and do take a while to clear the system. All that said, it is highly unlikely that your baby will be undernourished breastfeeding. He will take what he needs. As his needs increase, and his demand with it, your supply will increase. Charts and graphs are good reference tools, but keep in mind, that every child is unique. If you have checked his general health, and his output isn't indicating anything amiss, just keep happily nursing him. Did you notice that your mommy instincts were right on in your questions? ; )

Okay, the first clue is that he is four months old. Baby go through growth spurts every fe little bit. They usually have one a three months, six month, nine months and a year. when a baby has a growth spurt, there are two phases. One when they require more sleep, and more when they require more nutrition. He has probably just finished the nutrition phase and is now in the more sleep phase. If this is the only reason he is refused the bottle, he should bounce back soon to his pre-growth spur self. I would continue to track his progress though to make sure he doesn't drop off too much more. He should either gain in height or weight if this is a growth spurt. If not I would hound the doctor untill he does something or change doctors.

I am responding because I have a son that is also 4 months old - along with a 3 year old boy and a two year old girl. Anyway, my guess would be that his feeding is just slowing down. My 4 month old nurses 20 minutes, 5 times a day. When he takes a bottle (about once or twice a week), he takes 4 ounces. He is in the 75 percentile, so I know he is good and healthy. I wouldn't worry that your son isn't taking 30 ounces - that is still plenty. I bet his appetite is just changing. I doubt it is an allergy. If you haven't introduced rice cereal yet (which is fine between 4 and 6 months) you may try that. GOod luck!

F., an interesting thing you mentioned is that the doc is not too worried....you shouldn't either. Children have times in their growth where they have "spurts" when they eat and eat and can't seem to get full, then for a few months, it will be almost impossible for you to get them to eat. My advice is to relax and enjoy the moments you have with him instead of worrying...yeah right, we're moms! We're supposed to worry!!! But seriously, it could just be that he's been growing so much the past few months that now he's in a low area. I would watch and see how he does in the next few weeks. If he begins to lose weight or doesn't gain at all, then be concerned and discuss it with your doc. My son was below the 5% for almost a year...he was born with medical problems and had difficulty eating. Still does, but he's now as tall as his fellow classmates, just a little light...weighs 32 pounds and just turned 5!! On a side note, my son has eczema as well, has since birth and I've found that the baby line from Arbonne International keeps it at bay. Of course, there is no cure, I keep him in the sunlight as much as possible without damaging his skin, and keep the lotion on him at least 3 times a week. He hasn't had a breakout since. If you would like to try a sample I would be happy to send you one. After learning about the products and "seeing" what they do for him and myself, I started selling it part-time. Now that's the only skin care products my family uses. Good luck and hope he does well! Take care!

This probably won't be the last time you worry about this - my baby has gone through lots of ups and downs in terms of how much she eats (she's also breastfed). She had an ear infection around 4 months and I ended up pumping a lot to keep my milk supply up when she wouldn't nurse. She wouldn't take the bottle either and was eating much less than your baby is. She rebounded though after about 2 weeks and was eating a ton! Once starting solids too she has had days where she'll eat a bunch and other days where I'm worried she's not getting enough protein, iron, what have you. I give her a multivitamin with iron at the suggestion of my pediatrician (in the dropper) and just try to offer food or milk frequently. She has drops in eating when she is teething too. It all evens out in the end. She was 75th for height and 50th for weight - went down the 75th for height and 25th for weight but still looks healthy and my doc says she's fine. Around 8 months she refused the bottle entirely and moved to a sippy cup and breast only. I freaked out then too that she wouldn't get enough milk (we wasted a lot of breastmilk in the bottle around that time because she wouldn't take it at daycare in the mornings). And she's a year now and just fine. We started her on whole milk a month early and she loves it. Still nursing 3 times a day and eating a bunch of finger foods.

Anyway, I hope your baby rebounds soon and starts eating more again, but I think at some point they do start eating less because they are growing slower than before. He's probably getting enough for what he needs to grow. Keep a close eye on his weight and his behavior and if he doesn't rebound soon I'd ask the doc again. Good luck!

You are feeling concerned for your son due to a change in his eating habits. It sounds like you are also feeling overwhelmed by a busy household and the recent holiday. Your son's output is normal and your doctor does not seem concerned about weight gain, which should make you feel at ease because those are great signs that he is getting enough milk. As babies get more efficient on the breast they are able to get more milk in a shorter amount of time, this could be the case. If you feel as though your son prefers you nursing him over the bottle your mommy instincts are probably right, he sees it as a time to bond with you throughout the busy day. I applaud you for continuing to nurse and work through some possible food allergies. Has he shown any other signs to food allergies other than decrease in bottle ounces? Fussiness, green stool? Some mothers find that a sling can help with nursing on demand and running after a toddler. Another suggestion could be to put together a box of quiet toys and activities for your three year old that only come out when mommy is nursing baby brother. Remember all babies are different and this could just be a passing thing, hang in there and keep doing what you think is right for your family. Let me know how things turn out. Take care- J.

Hi F.
It sounds like you're doing everything you can. Maybe your baby is going through a growth spurt or something that suppresses his appetite. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it. You've checked with your pediatrician, you're offering feedings, and a big point - he is happy! Try not to focus so much on the number amount he drinks every day because he probably gets more oz from nursing so it can be really hard to judge how much he gets- if he seems satiated then I'll bet he's had plenty. Let your son be the judge of his intake.
Good luck, you're doing a great job

P.

I know it's hard not to worry, but stop worrying! Sounds like he is just fine. If he is happy and still eating that is great. Nothing wrong with a drop in appetite unless he is hardly eating and doesn't feel well or has lost a significant amount of weight. Just pump and put up what you can and enjoy the small break. They don't come often...lol. Also sounds like you might be so busy that it is hard for you to slow down even a bit. When you feel yourself start to get worried do something like color with your 3 year old. Believe it or not it will allow you to focus and RELAX! Which you probably need to do more of. Good luck to you all.

Simple rule:
All babies change their habits at times, but if s/he is eating, sleeping, playing (having energy), laughing, peeing, pooping, having good color and normal temperature, not losing weight and not crying too much they're usually FINE!

Quick question: Why would you pump that much breast milk instead of just letting him nurse it out when he wants it??

just kinda skimmed your message but my son was the same way. He was 9lbs 11oz and 22.5 inches when he was born and off the charts. He did come down and even out. There were days that he didn't seem interested in eating and then he would spurt again. I wouldn't worry. If he's not losing weight, then he's probably just evening out. My little guy is now a healthy almost 3year old and right where he's supposed to be grown wise...he's nearly 50% in every category

I would say just keep watching and he continues to gain weight he is fine if he starts to lose or is barely gaining it's time to figure out what is going on. Sometimes doctors are not 100% up on what is going on and it's your child so you have to be the one to stand up for them an figure out what is going on. (Not that I think you have a current issue that needs that).

You mentioned the allergies with Breast Milk. As long as you are cutting the allergens out of your diet your milk should be fine for him. My son has issues with my having any milk products or acidic foods among other things so I am careful about what I eat so his little system does not pay the price. I mostly Breast Feed him but pump so that daddy can give him a bottle before bed at night and to have one to take if we need it for other times. I find it easier to BF than to pump but that is just me. I love the bonding time with my son. I understand it is hard with older kids. I nanny for twin 20 month olds and it is not always convenient but they have learned that sometimes you have to wait a bit for what you want.

M.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry. Sounds like he is a big, healthy, happy boy. I spent so much time worrying about this stuff that I missed out on a lot, I think, when my DD was little. If he starts to lose weight, then worry. My DD would go through periods of eating a ton and then nothing at all. They eat when they need to eat, really. She's 19 months now and some days she can't get enough, and others she barely eats. I'm sure he is fine.

Seems to me that your baby is quite healthy, despite his refusing to eat/nurse as much as before. Perhaps he has hit a developmental milestone and is more interested in what is going around him than nursing. You could try to breast feed only. (Isn't it hard to pump, deal with bottles and breast feed too?) Thing about breast babies is that Moms can't measure the baby's milk intake and as long as the baby is pooping and peeing ad gaining wt. the baby is getting enough. Try spreading out the breast feeding to every 3-4 hours and no bottles. Your little boy should be able to empty your breast in about 5 minutes if he is really hungry. Yes, breast milk is best for baby. Cutting out dairy products is ok, because the baby will still get what he needs. (Might even clear up the eczema) The three yr old can read a book with you whlie you breast feed or entertain himself as you won't need to breast feed (or give a bottle) as often. Hope this helps.