Fussy milk feeding or milk refusal

Milk refusal

Fussy feeding or refusing to breastfeed or bottle feed is common sometimes. It does not mean you are doing anything wrong. 

The best thing you can do is work out what might be going on with your baby and then you can work out what to do about it.

Most babies feed best for about 20-30 minutes.

• Too slow: your baby may get tired before finishing

• Too fast: your baby may get wind, reflux, vomit, cramps, or drink more milk than they need 

Why your baby may be fussy

Your baby may be fussy or refuse feeds because they are:

• Tired:  sometimes babies look hungry but they are just really tired. In the early weeks, your baby is still getting used to a new sleep environment

• Not hungry: they already had enough milk or are not hungry

• Wanting comfort: cuddles and calming before continuing with the rest of the feed

• Getting milk too fast or too slow: If the milk comes out too fast, this can make your baby cough, gulp, feel overwhelmed or causes stomach discomfort. If too slow, your baby can feel tired or hungry even after eating. 

• Having trouble latching: if your baby is in an awkward or uncomfortable position and cannot latch or attach properly to the breast or bottle teat

• Confused about feeding: using bottles, dummies, or nipple shields a lot can confuse some babies and cause fussiness

• Hot weather: babies may be thirstier and want to feed more during hot weather

• Having a health or mouth problem: this needs a feeding assessment done. Talk to your child and family health nurse or family doctor for more information.   

What you can do 

Getting help

If you are worried about your baby or have any questions, there are free services that can help you: