https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:15:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225771 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:42:05 +0000 winniebee 1225771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One more thing. I think my sons other "issue" was hyper alertness from an early age. There was too much going on in the world for him to sit quietly and take a bottle. So, for us feeding before sleep resulted on him drinking the most, although he did eventually start taking bottle in bright rooms with lots going on as he neared 12 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225766 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:37:58 +0000 winniebee 1225766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: oh and I should mention that we were able to wean from meds at 9 months but stayed on nutramigen until we were fully on whole milk. It was very encouraging that my son liked solids and food so once he started eating them more seriously around 9 months I let him eat as much as he wanted. It can be hard especially if you feel like you are the only one pushing. But with your family history it sounds like it is really worth looking into further. We never had any invasive testing it was simply trial and error. Once you find what works life will be so much better. I remember all to well the anxiety over feelings, worrying about leaving him with grandma for the afternoon, etc. etc. I'm sorry that you are going through this but it seems like there may be an answer on the horizon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225753 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:32:10 +0000 Anagram 1225753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: thank you!!! This part if what you said, "was resistant to seeing a GI doctor, was resistant to believing my son had any feeding issues (to some extent he still feels that way), but I was with my son every day, saw the feedings, knew something was off."</p> <p>That's exactly how I feel. Exactly. </p> <p>And GERD runs in my family (I have a pretty severe case that requires every- other-year endoscopes to check in the damage in my esophagus so it shouldn't really be a surprise that LO could have it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225742 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:25:21 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1225742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not going to read the whole thread but my story is very similar. My LO has severe reflux although its mostly silent. Prevacid is absolutely necessary and we have not been able to wean at all at 10 months adjusted. </p> <p>In the NICU he was definitely developing an aversion. I was basically losing my mind trying to figure out how to help the situation and get him to eat more.</p> <p>The solution for us was Prevacid and enfamil AR (it comes pre-thickened). The thickened feedings are key. I mixed with BM, but he likes it even better without. We were at the same spot re: ounces too. My goal was always 20 for the day, most were 19 ounces. After awhile 24 became the norm. It was also hard thinking my milk wasn't best for him, but in the end, it really wasn't although I stuck with pumping for 11 months (bfing never worked due to aversion).</p> <p>Solids are very slow for us, but I try to keep it positive and try lots of new things. He will eat...just not a lot.</p> <p>I get it and it is so hard!!! But it totally got better for us.Message me if you ever want to talk more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225726 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:15:09 +0000 winniebee 1225726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>T had some feeding issues early on. Difficult time breastfeeding (would only feed 5 minutes even at 6 weeks), diagnosed with reflux at 6 weeks and then dairy intolerance at 8 weeks. He was a low birth weight baby (5 lbs 5 oz) and only would drink a few oz at a time, but always had great weight gain. I couldn't deal with breastfeeding and worrying over how much he ate, so I started pumping exclusively at 6 weeks. At 8 weeks, eliminated dairy from my diet. He was on Zantac from 6 weeks on. I saw improvements here and there, but he never really took big bottles - he liked to dib and dabble - a few oz here, a few oz there. At 4 months, we tried to re-introduce dairy because we weren't really sure if he had a dairy issue. He had a reaction. Our pediatrician referred us to a GI doctor. Saw the GI doctor at 4.5 months. She put him on Prilosec and we decided to put him on Nutramigen (because even though I had eliminated dairy, she did a stool test and he still had traces of blood in the stool). He responded so well to the Prilosec and Nutramigen (while we went on Prilosec, we stayed on Zantac b/c it takes a few wks for Prilosec to be effective). It was only then that he consistently started taking bigger bottles and started drinking over 20 oz a day. BUT. BUT. I always had to feed him his bottles before naps and bed - even on first wake of the day, I had to feed him his bottle in his room, lights off, white noise on. I was panicked about how he would do at daycare, how and if he would eat, etc etc. (He started around 5 months). Around 5-6 months he started taking 25 oz a day and took off from there. When we finally took him off bottles he was eating 3 meals a day, plus snacks, plus 30 oz of milk. He loved bottles! But, even at 18 months, he is still a peanut. We were released by our GI doctor after a year once we switched to whole milk (which took until about 13.5 months). I think part of our "issues" in the beginning were that T was a very very small baby. He didn't have a huge appetite. So, it made sense that he only wanted to eat 2-3 oz at a time. But I kept reading babies of the same age ate 5-6 oz! That said, I knew some things were off with his feedings as, like you pointed out, he often would go a very long time between feedings and even then only take a few oz. It was very hard not to stress about it. I have to say that what I think made the biggest difference for us was Prilosec. I don't think Zantac did anything (and my GI doc told me at the time..."If I had a 5 month old with reflux, he'd be on Prilosec, not Zantac). </p> <p>I'm not sure how old your baby is, but I'd push to see a GI doctor, if you can. I recall our GI doctor (who had poor bedside manner, btw....) told us at our first visit that she was treating a baby who had a very strong feeding aversion after feeding for many months in pain. I'm not sure that your LO is there yet, but it sounds like there may be some aversion. I want to encourage you to be your child's best advocate and to push and follow your instincts. My husband is a physician and was resistant to seeing a GI doctor, was resistant to believing my son had any feeding issues (to some extent he still feels that way), but I was with my son every day, saw the feedings, knew something was off. </p> <p>Best of luck and let me know if you have any questions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225390 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 21:07:24 +0000 swedishfish 1225390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: R is on Alimentum for supplementing and, yes, it smells but she likes it. It's also covered by our insurance so we got a month's supply (it has lasted us longer than a month because she's only on 1-3 bottles/day) for $25. Have your pediatrician write a prescription if you're headed that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225363 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 21:00:58 +0000 Anagram 1225363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: she had the blood on her stools for a week, which is when the doctor recommended the MSPI diet. The blood went away and her stools went from always green to yellow. But I don't see myself eating this restricted diet until she is a year old. </p> <p>Over the holidays, we have 3 trips planned where I will be on long road trips, staying in other people's homes for a week or more and in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar grocery stores, so the idea of trying to plan all my own special eating is.......overwhelming/slash feeling impossible. And I hate pumping , so there's that. </p> <p>But at the same time, I do want what's best for my LO, so I'm actually torn. I'm not sure how I would do the food-and-travel thing, but I would try if it were best for LO. </p> <p>In any case, I'm confused. And I feel like my Ped is making me more confused. I think I may try to get a second opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225249 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 20:16:01 +0000 immabeetoo 1225249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: saw your update - and again, I'm only speaking anecdotally but my niece who I posted about was on alimentum (mom was unable to breastfeed because of health issues) and it made things SO much worse because it smelled, and tasted, disgusting. I'm sure it's disheartening to be following MSPI stuff and not seeing a marked difference, but I would avoid alimentum at all costs (no pun intended, because that stuff is crazy expensive). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225242 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 20:13:57 +0000 immabeetoo 1225242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I'm no expert, but if that was her reaction to going off Zantac I'd go back ASAP. One of my nieces was a preemie and has struggled with reflux her whole life and it definitely led to eating issues :( They were in to see an OT as well and worked for a long time to make sure her dosages were continuing to work. She had other issues as well, and I don't want to scare you per se, but she still has reflux and eating issues at 8 years old :( So, I hope you can get in to see some professionals ASAP and get re-routed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225239 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 20:13:24 +0000 MsMini 1225239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I think I would be more concerned with consulting a feeding therapist early rather than switching to formula. Other than the discomfort, is your baby having GI symptoms like loose/watery stools, blood in the stool etc? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225229 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 20:05:45 +0000 Anagram 1225229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: right now, no. I feel like my Ped is very slow to recommend things...for example, my LO has had this feeding issue for almost 2 months now and I still haven't been referred to an allergist, or a GI doctor, or a feeding therapist. Her main takeaway to me seems to be: as long as your LO is gaining weight at all, then this situation isn't dire and therefore doesn't need a lot of attention.</p> <p>And then my dear husband is very much a direction-follower, so he thinks I'm crazy for not just taking her approach and letting the matter drop. But since my baby is going to be in Daycare soon, and I can't imagine them going to the lengths I go to, to get her to eat, then I'm not okay with just letting this go and continuing to only feed her while she is sleeping.</p> <p>Not sure if you saw my other thread, but the Ped wants to try Alimentum now, and I'm on the fence. I don't know if introducing something knew (and bad tasting apparently) is going to help or hurt in this situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225211 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:55:29 +0000 MsMini 1225211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: The Mom who spoke at the conference did get the feeding sorted out, but it took a while. Her LO was 8 months before they figured it out though. Do you have access to a feeding therapist who can start you on the right track of re-working your feeding routine? This Mom worked with an OT and a psychologist to figure out their approach. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225207 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:53:09 +0000 Anagram 1225207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: I have been reading forums lately of babies with reflux and feeding aversions and it is really similar to what my LO does. And that's what has me worried....a lot of these babies seem to go on to have feeding aversions with solids, too.</p> <p>Some days I feel like I just can't catch a break on the baby-eating front. Like...since her birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225192 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:42:59 +0000 MsMini 1225192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your story sounds like one that I heard of at a NICU nurses conference recently, where it was reflux that was the cause, and the baby ended up very slowly improving with persistence and Zantac. Keep in mind, if it is reflux, your LO has probably formed an association between feeding and discomfort, so even if the Zantac is helping, it will take more time to work through, and break those negative associations (through changing up feeding routines, switching things that were feeding cues so they learn that food doesn't = discomfort). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-have-a-lo-who-developed-a-feeding-aversion-did-it-get-better#post-1225175 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:35:25 +0000 Anagram 1225175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you had a LO with a feeding issue, how did it start, did you find any solutions, and how long did it last (or is it ongoing?)</p> <p>In the continuing saga that has been my breastfeeding/pumping journey, my LO is still not doing well on my MSPI diet. </p> <p>I followed it strictly for 2 1/2 weeks, and we started Zantac at the same time and her eating improved a bit--she went from eating 12-19 oz a day to eating 24+ a day. HOWEVER, she still would only eat while asleep, basically. We have, over time, devised various ways of feeding her (getting her to suck on a paci and then switching out for a bottle, putting her to nap first and then dreamfeeding her, etc.) During this time, she had a few instances where she managed to drink a bottle while awake, so I thought it was a big improvement.</p> <p>Then, my husband lobbied to take her off the Zantac to see if just the diet was making the difference because he doesn't want to unnecessarily medicate, and our Ped basically agreed with him. So LO has been off Zantac for 1 1/2 weeks and while her overall oz total for the day is okay, she's back to only eating while asleep, screaming when I put a bottle to her mouth, bucking to get away from the bottle, etc. She will routinely go 5 hours during the day without eating, and then want to wake up literally every 1-2 hours all night long to make up for what she doesn't eat during the day. I go back to work on Monday and I literally cannot survive on the little amount of sleep I can get in between her wake ups. I can't tell if she's in pain from laying down at night (the crib has been elevated since 1 month), if she's hungry, if she has sleep issues, if she is just trying to torture her parents (that last one is a joke, sort of).</p> <p>The eating issues have been since birth (but in different form): latch problems, various diagnoses ranging from tongue and lip tie (clipped them), to tight jaw needing physical therapy (took her to therapy), to weak suck reflex (also therapy), to high palate, to blah blah. So I switched to pumping. And we've had continued problems with that--the MSPI (or possibly something else) that has turned into some type of feeding aversion.</p> <p>All this to say: Has this ever happened to anyone else? Did it ever go away? I'm reading horror stories online of children who also end up not eating solids and who need feeding therapy. ugh. </p>