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Bottle feeding aversion
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Bottle feeding aversion
All babies get full and want to stop the bottle feed at times.
Bottle feeding aversion is when your baby is not interested in bottle feeding. This can be not wanting any at all, or they only want a little bit each time and refuse to have very much.
Some very aversive babies get very upset when they can see the bottle or when you get them into a position to start bottle feeding.
Why is my baby not keen on their bottle?
Your baby may be feeling negative towards their bottle for different reasons, such as:
- being born prematurely
- lots of medical interventions
- a difficult start to feeding such as:
- frequently being sick with feeds
- reflux
- lots of negative experience around their face and mouth from medical interventions
- tube feeding
- requiring oxygen, and so on
These can make it more likely that your baby will have feeding aversion.
What can I do to help?
It is important to
- Keep feeding positive for you and your baby.
- Follow your baby’s lead.
- When your baby starts to show hunger cues or that they are ready for feeding then offer them a bottle.
- Offer a bottle when your baby is awake, can engage with feeding and shows cues that they are ready. Avoid offering your baby a bottle whilst they are asleep.
- Make sure you and your baby are comfortable. If you have been given guidance around positioning your baby during feeds continue to follow this.
- Follow your baby’s cues. If they start to turn away or push the bottle away stop.
Do not
- Avoid shifting between different bottle systems or trying to trick your baby to accept their bottle. It is important to offer them what they are familiar with. Whilst swapping can mean they accept for a short period babies will often go back to refusing.
Information:
It is important for feeding to be a positive experience for you and your baby.
If you are concerned that your baby is not meeting their nutritional or hydration requirements contact your GP, Health Visitor or take your baby to Accident and Emergency.
Contact us
For more information please contact Jane Shaw, Clinical Lead for Paediatric Dysphagia (Feeding and Swallowing) or call 0114 271 7452.
Is something missing from this resource that you think should be included? Please let us know
Disclaimer
Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
Resource number: SL288
Resource Type: Article
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