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How To Feed Milk To An Infant?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014
Question: My Baby boy is 4.5 Months old and is not drinking milk by Bottle or Spoon. Can you please suggest what's the problem it was going on from last 4-5 days he is doing so.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Try changing formula and try weaning

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us.

1.Mothers milk is the best milk for babies up to 6 months. If you are not breast feeding, try again. If the baby sucks every hour, milk output will automatically improve.
2. If no other option apart from formula feeding try changing the formula to palatable formulas like Nan or similac.
3. I would also like to know if there are any other symptoms like crying excessively or cold or vomiting. If present you need to treat the condition which is usually due to viral, this may improve the milk intake.
4. Also start weaning foods like rice gruel, cerelac, boiled vegetables and fruits. Maybe your baby needs more tasty foods, which is common at this age.

Wishing your baby good health

Regards

Dr XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Arun (24 minutes later)
Hi,

Thanks for the reply..

He was breastfeeding but his stomach is not filling with that. At what interval of time do he need for breast feeding. As soon as we provide him the bottle mikl he close his mouth and started crying. as seems i dont want to drink the bottle milk.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Demand feeding

Detailed Answer:
Breast feeding cannot be given strictly every few hours.
If baby is hungry even within one hour of feeding, you can breastfeed again.
At the same time if the baby is sleeping well, you can wait for 3 to 3.5 hours without feeding also
Its just that you need to feed whenever baby needs
Giving bottle will only confuse the baby ( NIPPLE CONFUSION )
Milk comes from bottle without sucking, while at breast baby needs to suckle.
SO AVOID BOTTLE.
USE SPOON if required for giving extra formula
Try weaning foods as I mentioned or change formula and see
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Arun

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1960 Questions

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How To Feed Milk To An Infant?

Brief Answer: Try changing formula and try weaning Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us. 1.Mothers milk is the best milk for babies up to 6 months. If you are not breast feeding, try again. If the baby sucks every hour, milk output will automatically improve. 2. If no other option apart from formula feeding try changing the formula to palatable formulas like Nan or similac. 3. I would also like to know if there are any other symptoms like crying excessively or cold or vomiting. If present you need to treat the condition which is usually due to viral, this may improve the milk intake. 4. Also start weaning foods like rice gruel, cerelac, boiled vegetables and fruits. Maybe your baby needs more tasty foods, which is common at this age. Wishing your baby good health Regards Dr XXXXXXX