My latest frustration in dealing with my little guy’s tummy troubles has been since we have tried to introduce a bottle. I never thought a four-month-old could be so stubborn. But, my little guy is. He wants nothing to do with a bottle.
There was one occasion where I went out and my husband fed him breastmilk with a bottle. He took it right away, and had no problems. But, now, we are trying to supplement with formula due to the fact that we can’t seem to figure out what it is that I’m eating that is causing his tummy troubles and blood in his stool. It is frustrating.
I have tried mixing formula and breastmilk together. I’ve tried distracting him by walking around while a bottle is in his mouth. I’ve tried singing to him. Letting him play with it, etc. etc. but I haven’t gotten him to take more than 1/2 and oz in one feeding. People just keep saying to me, “when he gets hungry enough, he will take it.” Well, I haven’t let him go all day without food, but, he just doesn’t seem to ever get hungry enough to drink that formula.
I am trying to feed him Nutramigen, which is a formula for children with milk protein intolerance, which we are assuming my little guy has. It doesn’t smell great, and I can understand why he doesn’t want it. It probably doesn’t taste that great either. But, I am struggling to keep up with this elimination diet that I am on and am definitely struggling with the lack of sleep that is coming along with breastfeeding this time around.
Last night, my poor little guy was up at 3 am, 4 am, 5 am, and 6 am. It is a wonder that I have gotten anything accomplished today. But, I guess my body is used to functioning on very little sleep right now. But, I need a break. My family needs a break. And, I think my poor little baby’s tummy needs a break from whatever is hurting him.
There is nothing more frustrating to a mother than not being able to do the simplest thing like feed your baby. We will keep trying. Every day is a new day.