My Baby is Refusing Feeds

In Bottle Feed Babies:

There are a number of reasons why babies sometimes refuse their feeds. See our list of some of the common causes for rejecting a bottle feed, and how to overcome them below:

• Check the temperature of the milk is right. Babies can vary when it comes to how cold or warm they like their milk. Some like cold milk and others like it warm, whilst others prefer room temperature. Generally, consistency is the key. If you are serving their milk up at a different temperature to what they have become accustomed to then this is likely to be the reason they are refusing it. Always be sure not to overheat their milk, it should not be warmer than body temperature - dripping some on the inside of your wrist is a good way to judge this.
• Test that the teat is not blocked by turning the bottle upside down. It should drip fairly quickly depending on what stage teat you are using. Your baby may be ready for a teat with a larger hole and could be refusing his bottle through frustration with the slower flow from the current teat.
• Check the expiry date on your formula and that it hasn't been open for longer than the recommended time. If it is expressed milk that is being used, check that you have stored or frozen it correctly.
• If your baby is unwell, she may find it uncomfortable or painful to drink or eat. This is particularly so if she has a cold, ear or throat infection, or thrush. You should see your doctor if your think your baby is ill.
• Try and find a peaceful place to feed your baby. Some babies are easily distracted, particularly as they get older, and you might find that moving into a room without the television on or noisy siblings creating a din helps her to settle down to a feed.
• If your baby has started solids, she may be too full for milk. In which case, you may want to adjust your routine - giving her some formula before meals whilst she is still hungry. Formula or breast milk should still make up the majority of a baby's diet from when they are weaned until they are around one year old.

Don't try to force your baby to take their bottle when they're resisting. Take a break and try again later. Unless pain or illness is interfering with her feeding, she will eventually take her bottle when she is hungry. You may even find that she takes more than usual to make up for the feeds that she missed out on. If your baby is resisting formula feeds but still eating solids, then you could opt to include formula in some of their solid food. Remember that baby rice and many other foods - such as mashed potato can be made using either formula or breast milk.

In Breastfed Babies:

If your baby has been nursing effectively for a while and suddenly starts to refuse feeds, it's likely she's having difficulty feeding and there are a number of possible reasons for this.

• Taste of the milk - some foods or medicines can affect the taste of breast milk. Most babies are quite accepting to the change in flavour, and in any case, the flavour is only altered for a short time after the mother has consumed the food. However, if you suspect that your baby is being fussy after you have eaten a certain food then avoid it for a couple of days and then see whether it provokes the same reaction. If it does, then leave it out of your diet for a few weeks before trying it again - but don't exclude it for the rest of the time you breast feed. Your baby may well become less fussy in time, so it is worth having another attempt. The other way in which the flavour of the milk can be changed is if you use a new product on your skin (soap, deodorant or moisturiser) which gets onto your nipple. If you suspect that this is the cause of your baby rejecting a feed then wash your skin with mild soap and rinse it afterwards, then pat it dry with a clean towel.
• Illness - a baby who is suffering with a sore throat, ear infection, stuffy nose, breathing difficulties or upset stomach, and mouth infections may refuse to feed until they are recovered and any discomfort is gone. A sore mouth can put a baby off feeding too, and could be caused by teething, sore gums or thrush. If you suspect that your baby has thrush then you will need to see your doctor. The most common symptom of oral thrush is white spots or patches in their mouth - sometimes likened to cottage cheese. Always seek medical advice if you suspect that your baby is unwell.
• Milk Flow - a baby may refuse the breast if the mother's milk supply is reduced and the baby wants more milk than is being produced.
• Try and find a peaceful place to feed your baby. Regardless of whether they are bottle or breastfed, babies get distracted during feeds. Try moving into a room without the television on or noisy siblings creating a din to see if it encourages more settled feeding.
• As with bottle feeding, if your baby has started solids, she may be too full for milk. In which case, you may want to adjust your routine - giving her some formula before meals whilst she is still hungry. Formula or breast milk should still make up the majority of a baby's diet from when they are weaned until they are around one year old.

It is a good idea to offer your breast frequently to a baby who is refusing to feed, but it is important not to try to force the baby to feed if she shows no interest.

A baby that is refusing their feeds can cause a huge amount of worry for their mothers. Babies are remarkably sensitive to your emotions and your stress and exasperation can create a vicious circle if the baby continues to resist being fed. There are many sources of help available to you as a mum and you must never feel shy or embarrassed to use them. Your health visitor will often be able to help you but they will also provide you with information on local breastfeeding advice groups, postnatal groups and other forms of support.