4 Month Old Refusing Formula (Not Breatfeeding)

The reason for her denial of formula could be for innocent reasons: She wants "real" food instead. OR for more serious reasons: She has reflux and it doesn't cause her pain to eat food as it does to drink formula.

Babies are amazing in their ability to tell us what they do and do not want.

Listen to your baby girl. Your pedi might want to see her if she doesn't pick up her formula intake soon. The formula is more important than her food.

M.,
I know you are going to get a LOT of different responses on this one. I personally experienced the same as you with my guy refusing formula and getting about 12 oz daily, if that! My Ped said no worries and he will eventually drink it again. And guess what? He did. Now of couse he is off formula and drinking milk which he hated at first but now loves. They can be so picky! M., do not worry. I know you will be told she needs to get the nutrition and such. Honestly, do what I did. Go see or call your Ped. They know best and can relax you better that any one of us could especailly if you get mixed opinions. Think about this: What did our moms do when they didn't have all this fancy formula and we were eating cereal at 2 weeks old? I know I was fed sugar water and oatmeal and bananas and that kind of stuff. And you know what? I am smart I am successful and hey I turned out pretty good!? :0)
Mix her baby cereal with her formula too... she will get it that way... I gave him cereal 3x a day and that included 2oz of formula each time too! So, don't worry and ask your Ped! Oh and yes, teething will cause them to pull away from the bottle but it won't last too long!
Good luck!
Christina

Have you tried using a different nipple? There are diff. stages and she may not be getting it quick enough so she gives up. But if she is eating well and she is still drinking some, give it a little time. Babies are smarter then we are, they eat when they are hungry =)

Hope this helps

Hi M.

Have you taken her to see her doctor? Start there. You may have to check for a milk allergy. My grandson was having difficulties and was not thriving, and began to have serious intestinal problems - it took many years to realize the cause was an allergy to cows milk. It may be worth checking into.

W.

She is probably starting to teeth and it hurts her gums to suck. My first 2 kids starting with the early signs of sore gums, drooling and chewing around 3.5 to 4 months and my youngest is doing it now (3.5 months) The sucking is particularly painful to them and this may be why she is pulling away and screaming. All of mine would cry b/c they were hungry and then pull off (the breast or bottle) sometimes crying or just fussy every time they were getting new teeth. Although the tooth may not break the gum for another month or 2 or 3, she can still be bothered. Try a little baby orajel prior to bottle feeding and see if it makes a difference.
Hope this helps.
M.
(mom to Emily 3, James 2, and Samantha 3.5 months)