Fussy feeding or bottle refusal – what to do

Fussy feeding 

Babies settle easier when they are fed for 20 to 30 minutes. Too slow and they may get too tired to finish their feed. Too fast and they can get wind, throw up, cramp and drink more milk than they need. 

Fussy feeding is common and may happen with both breast and bottle feeding. It may be caused by your baby:

• trying to tell you they have had enough milk for now 
• being more tired than hungry 
• wanting cuddles and time to calm before going ahead with the rest of the feed
• getting a milk flow that is too slow or fast 
• getting confused with how to feed using a bottle if they are also breastfeeding 
• being in an uncomfortable position
• having health issues
• having oral abnormalities (problems with their mouth) – this needs a feeding assessment done. Talk to your child and family health nurse or family doctor to give you the best guidance. 

Find out more about what to do when your baby refuses your breast. 

What you can do

• If your baby is fussing, stop the feed and calm them down. 
  • When you hold your baby upright, they might burp, and sometimes they might bring up a little bit of their milk with the burp.
• Avoid prop feeding (which is when the bottle is held by an object such as a pillow, rolled-up blanket or something similar). It is safer for your baby and better for bonding to hold your baby and watch them as they feed. 
• Throw away any milk your baby does not take from the bottle once the feed is finished. 
• Rinse all bottle equipment in cold water after feeding. 

Talk to your child and family health nurse or local doctor if fussy feeding or bottle refusal continues – or if you are concerned for any other reason. 

Watch the Baby Cues video for more help: 

Video by Raising Children Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/behaviour/crying/baby-cues