Parenthood is a journey full of joys and challenges, and one of the most important considerations for new parents is ensuring their infant receives sufficient nourishment.
This perplexing habit of “baby pushing bottle away but still hungry” can leave parents perplexed and anxious for answers.
How can you motivate your child to finish their bottle? And does it make a difference if they drink all their milk at each feeding? Continue reading to discover.
Common Reasons For Baby Pushing Bottle Away But Still Hungry
Despite hunger, several explanations exist for why your baby pulls the bottle away.
They might not be as hungry as you believe, be in pain from teething, have problems with their formula, be in the wrong posture, be having trouble switching to bottle feeding, be in the wrong temperature, or be physically in pain.
Your Baby Isn’t Hungry As Your Thoughts
When a baby pushes away the bottle but still shows signs of hunger, it’s conceivable that their hunger isn’t as intense as first thought.
Babies’ appetites and hunger levels might change from one feeding session to the next.
The sucking reflex is active in infants. They may simply wish to suck on something if they are weary, bored, uncomfortable, or seeking a calming effect.
As a result, your baby may accept a bottle willingly to suck on his nipple flow but then push it away later since he isn’t hungry.
Teething Issue
What does it mean when baby pushes bottle out with tongue? The teething phase can be difficult for infants and affect their motivation to eat.
Your baby’s gums could be sore, making sucking on a bottle nipple painful. Even if they are not hungry, that can convince them to drink a bottle.
The teething indicators might differ from newborn to baby but frequently include increased drooling, irritability, chewing on things, and swelling.
Babies may prefer using teething toys or biting on cool, supple objects during this period of time to soothe their painful gums.
Formula Issue
Why does my baby keep pushing the bottle away? Your baby rejects bottles because they dislike the formula bottles you are feeding them.
It may occur if the infant formula is improperly made or has been in storage for an extended period.
Additionally, infants may grow to prefer a particular brand, flavor, or formula. Your kid can refuse to eat when you just switched formulas, or they don’t like the taste.
Wrong Position
The baby’s feeding position is crucial when feeding a happy baby with a bottle. A baby needs to feel comfortable being held while being fed.
Your baby may reject the bottle since you are not having it right. That is why you should have the right position for feeding.
Bottle-Feeding Transition
It takes time for newly introduced bottle-fed breastfeeding infants to acclimate to the feeding cues. Breast milk is the finest food available; your baby is aware of this.
Your infant may refuse the type of bottle feeding because they are missing the emotional connection they had with nursing during the transition.
Faulty Temperature
When giving them the bottle, the milk’s temperature is also important. Your infant may refuse to drink from the bottle if the warmth of the formula isn’t comforting.
Your infant might not enjoy formula that is overly hot or cold.
Since babies like a temperature close to that of breast milk, which is warm, check to see whether the flow of milk is chilly.
Physical Discomfort
Physical discomfort may be a significant consideration. Acid reflux can make feeding your baby uncomfortable or produce a burning feeling in the throat.
Babies with gas also feel uncomfortable during or after the feeding routine, making them reluctant to take the bottle.
Ear Infection
Before age three, ear infections affect five out of every six kids. An infant who drinks from a bottle while lying down is likely to get ear infections.
Your baby’s lack of hunger may also be brought on by an ear infection, which can cause babies to experience excruciating pain.
Tongue Tie
Why is my baby hungry but refusing the bottle? Your baby may be pushing the bottle away because they have a tongue-tie.
The term “tongue tie” describes a condition where the tissue band attaching the tongue to the mouth’s floor is shorter than it should be.
The effectiveness of a baby’s breast- or bottle-feeding may be impacted by this medical issue.
How To Treat This Problem?
Avoid Overfeed
Sometimes, parents may feed their infants even after they are satisfied because they believe it will benefit their health, which makes the infant shun the bottle.
Consider feeding your baby smaller amounts of milk more frequently than larger amounts as a daily routine.
This strategy can lessen the chance that your newborn baby will push the bottle away and prevent overfeeding.
Check For Teething
Teething can start as early as 3 to 4 months of age, but each baby’s experience will differ.
Examine your child’s gums for teething symptoms, including redness, swelling, or the emergence of tiny white bumps.
Offer teething treatment to your baby’s gums before the feeding schedule since teething is the underlying issue.
If your kid is teething, it’s best to use different nipple sizes on the bottle and avoid choosing the wrong nipple size because they might be more bearable.
Change The Position
You’d better alternative infant feeding positions if the problem of the baby pushing the bottle away arises.
Try holding your infant upright rather than flat on the ground when feeding your infant.
Milk flowing too quickly can be less likely as a result of this. Some infants find that lying back while nursing makes them more comfortable.
This comfortable position can be achieved by raising your infant using pillows.
Change The Formula
You may want to change the formula feeding for your baby. Since they are accustomed to it, you can use breast milk in these bottles.
It would be best for babies who haven’t tried the bottles before. However, you should get professional advice before making any adjustments.
Create A Calm Environment
When offered the bottle, babies may become disoriented from their hectic environment.
Choose a tranquil, uninteresting location where there won’t be any distractions for your kid to eat because they tend to be quickly sidetracked.
Reduce interruptions during feeding, such as television, loud conversations, or other distracting activities.
Your baby can then concentrate on eating, avoiding sensory overload and sensory issues, and less likely for them to push the bottle away.
Give Them Breast Milk
For newborns, breast milk is the best source of nutrients. When direct breastfeeding is not an option, breast milk can still be beneficial when expressed via a pump and given in a bottle.
FAQs
Why Do Babies Push While Feeding?
Babies may push during feedings for a variety of reasons, including feeling full, gas discomfort, or teething.
Additionally, kids may use it to express their preferences or signal that they need a break.
What Is Silent Reflux In Babies Symptoms?
When infants’ stomach ranges flow back into the esophagus, there is no obvious spitting up.
The symptoms include excessive sobbing, back arches, coughing, gagging, and difficulty swallowing. To get a diagnosis and treatment, consult a medical expert.
Does Baby Sticking Tongue Out Always Mean Hunger?
No, a baby’s tongue-out behavior does not necessarily signify hunger.
While sticking out the tongue can be a sign of desire, babies can do it to explore their surroundings, communicate, or just as a natural response.
Conclusion
As a fellow parent, I can appreciate the difficulties associated with bottle feeding, particularly when it comes to “baby pushing bottle away but still hungry.”
Sometimes, it’s just a curveball in the great game of feeding. Ultimately, it all comes down to working together, remaining informed, and ensuring our kids are fed and thriving.
