Hi all,
Has anyone experienced this? I have a 3 month old at home that lately, during his bottles, he's started to move his head from side to side rapidly. This makes it really difficult to feed him, when it's clear that he's hungry. If we can keep the bottle in his mouth, he'll eat. But that is nearly impossible because he's jerking from side to side constantly.
The movement appears to be deliberate - not involuntary. It just seems like he wants to see what's going on everywhere at once.
Has anyone experienced this? Is it just a phase? DH and I are getting frustrated, and in the meantime, we don't think that our little guy is eating as much as he'd like.
Side note:
For the first poster...
I moved him to a stage 2 nipple about 3 weeks ago. Most of the time he seems just fine with it. No fussing. This head thing has only started a few days ago... Could that still be the issue? Should I move him back to stage 1?
Well, I found out this is pretty common from talking to other moms and those out here on the boards. I've learned that if I give him a paci to calm him down for a bit, then take it away and give the bottle, that seems to do the trick.
He's just overexcited, I guess!
Thanks for the help, everyone!
Melissa,
My son did this, and I believed it was a "gas" problem. I switched from playtex bottles to Dr. Browns, and that did the trick.
A.
My daughter and son needed to use the stage 1 nipple until about 1 year old.
My son did similar movements but it was because he had silent reflux and didn't enjoy the pain of his food coming back up his throat (he never vomited only swallowed it back down and it hurt).
I have a similar problem but I am nursing my daughter, She just turned 6 months and it seems any time she hears a sound, no matter how slight, she has to turn to check it out. She has done this since she was about 3 months when she became more aware of things. It can be really uncomfortable when she does it quickly. Ouch. Anyway, my husband is NOT allowed to come into the room if I am feeding her. : ) It is most likely just wanting to check everything out.
My 3 mos old does that, has since almost birth. What we have found, with her anyway, is that it is most likely to occur if she is very hungry. I think she is frustrated and wants the milk in her belly right NOW, when what she does actually makes it take longer. But you cant exactly reason with them at this age of course. Once we get a ounce or two in her she calms down. So we either deal with it and be patient or try to feed her before she gets to that point.
She has reflux and though she is medicated and kept upright I think that also plays a part in it.
I don't have an answer, but I just thought I'd tell you are not alone! I too am having the same problem as well as my sister in law who's daughter is 4 months. I've asked around & it sounds pretty normal, but no one knows why. It is so frustrating! I'm looking forward to reading some responses!
Melissa
Are you using a slow flow nipple on your bottles? Possibly your son is overwhelmed by the formula flow from the nipple. You may want to try a change of bottle and or nipple to solve the problem. Good luck.
I'll bet it's the bottle. Sometimes they got clogged. If you squeeze the end with your fingers and roll it you can tell if it had a clog in it. Also, unscrew the bottle and put the top back on just tight enough, not too tight. I noticed this tightening made a difference too. GOOD LUCK!
Have him checked for an ear infection. It may be mild, but while sucking it hurts much more, so they tend to jerk away even though they are still hungry. I let my guy go over a week, and happened to mention it during his normal check up, so it was still caught early.
Good luck!
The issue isn't the nipple size as it his ability to take in more stimuli. Both my kids have gone through this. Perhaps, feeding in a quiet dark area will help or putting a blanket over your shoulder to block his vision (worked for my oldest) to help reduce stimuli.
It does sound like nipple flow problem, If it is going too fast he may be trying to turn his head so it will stop.
My twins did the same thing and it was very frustrating because the wanted the bottle but, as you mentioned, they're just so excited to look around and see everything! I tried feeding them in different places that were a bit less exciting (even in the dark) but ultimately they just grew out of this rather short-lived phase. I'm learning as a new parent myself that most things babies do that are frustrating are simply phases that they outgrow and then move on to another phase! Hang in there, your son will be fine!
Hi Melissa,
Our daughter did this too around this age. I, of course, freaked out. Tried the nipple (from 1 to 2) but I actually think that was too fast still, so we went back to stage 1. Then, it continued so we went to dr. Dr. suggested that it may be reflux... so maybe, your son is having a hard time swallowing (and/or keeping stuff down). I would suggest first, make sure you have him at a good 45 degree angle while feeding (not flat) and if that still doesn't help, call the dr. Could be something else.
Good luck
