Hi,

My daughter is 4 months old and refuses to feed. Feeding time is a torture for both of us. She was premature at birth by 4 weeks, had low birth weight (1560 gms.) and was in the NICU for 3 weeks. She stopped breastfeeding at 2 months. I have been giving her EBM and some formula since. Off late she refuses to take bottles as well. I would usually feed her 15-18 oz of EBM + formula everyday and feed her every three hours. At about 3 and half months, the frequency of her feeds went down and she fed every 4-5 hours. Her milk intake, however, did not increase. This pattern was also accompanied by no weight gain for 2 weeks. The doctor has advised me to increase her milk intake. I now try to give her about 21 oz of milk ) and have also introduced rice cereal once a day for extra calories. However problem is that now she doesn't even like taking a bottle. Most feeds are forced feedings. I have tried cup feeding but that doesn't work well. I am totally distressed and exasperated and dread feeding time, as every feeding session lasts for more than an hour and is accompanied by incessant crying. Please advise as to how I can interest my baby in feeding and gradually increase her calorie intake.

Thx in advance.

Nidhi Hetal replied. premature medically declared by dr or she is preterm ? it will help me lookout something.
also lemme know if ne other complicatns with baby or during birth time.