Question
A two-month-and-25-day-old baby suddenly refuses to drink formula milk, preferring breast milk instead, but the breast milk supply is insufficient, leading to short sleep durations for the baby, sometimes as little as an hour, with the longest not exceeding… . What are some ways to solve this problem?
Answer
It’s quite common for babies who are just beginning to drink formula milk to resist it. It’s advisable to find out why your baby dislikes drinking formula milk so that you can address the issue. Common solutions include:
- Nipple discomfort: Use a soft bottle nipple and, after sterilization, squeeze breast milk onto the nipple to let the baby get used to it. You can also try using feeding tools other than bottles, such as small spoons or cups.
- Dislike of the taste of formula milk: Try different brands of formula milk or adjust the concentration and temperature of the formula.
- Incorrect diapering method: The correct feeding method is to place the bottle at a 45-degree angle gently in the baby’s mouth.
- Other reasons: Such as oral infections or nasal congestion, which may cause the baby to refuse formula milk due to pain or discomfort in breathing, possibly showing signs like crying and listlessness. This could indicate a health issue and may require a pediatric consultation at the hospital. If the baby eats very little in one feeding, you can increase the number of feedings or try mixing expressed breast milk with formula milk; the baby may be more willing to accept this. Be patient and take it slowly. Wishing you all the best.