Why Does My Baby Cry When Eating Formula? Cause & Fix

As a mother, it can be frustrating and heartbreaking when your baby cries while eating formula. You want to provide them with the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly, but if you’re met with tears instead of smiles every time you feed them, it can leave you feeling helpless.

Fortunately, there are some potential explanations for why this might be happening that can help shed some light on the matter – so if your little one is currently turning their nose up at the bottle, read on to discover what might be causing their distress.

So, Why does my baby cry when eating formula?

If you notice your baby fussing during feeding, spitting frequently, displaying signs of reflux (such as arching their back, fussiness after eating and frequent spitting up), or presenting other symptoms, they may have a milk-protein allergy. It’s recommended that you switch to a different formula in these cases.

We will provide tips on how to troubleshoot these bottle-feeding problems and make feeding time a more positive experience for breastfed babies and bottle-fed babies.

Why Does My Baby Cry When Eating Formula

Why Does Your Baby Cry When Eating Formula?

Newborn babies could be crying due to hunger, but it might also signal sickness, tiredness, or a lack of attention right now.

If the milk or formula takes too long to flow through the bottle’s nipple, your baby may become frustrated.

It’s possible that your baby has been exclusively breastfeeding for some time and will need some time to adjust to being fed via a bottle.

There is no single cause for a baby to cry shortly after being fed. It does not always signify an underlying problem when your infant cries following feeding.

Non-Pathological Causes For Baby Crying

Colic

The precise cause of colic is unknown. Gas can be the reason behind colic. Colicky babies are more likely to cry during a specific period of the day and throughout the same hours each day.

Gas

Overfeeding causes stomach congestion, which can cause crying after each feeding. Acid reflux: Acid reflux is a typical occurrence in infancy, and it affects one in five infants.

The baby generally regurgitates after crying and then relaxes. If the reflux is chronic, it might be GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Uncomfortable feelings caused by gastric acid being regurgitated.

Teething

Some babies may go through several weeks or even months of teething before their teeth break through the gums.

Unfortunately, during this time your kid is likely to suffer from inflammation and severe discomfort in the mouth and gums. Even non-threatening activities like nursing or bottle-feeding may become excruciating. 

Before feeding, apply cool water to the gums to help alleviate teething discomfort. Just dip your thumb in water and massage it over the gums. Alternatively, wrap them in a wet washcloth that has been frozen.

In addition to the above mentioned, there are several alternative pain management treatments that you may consider including numbing oral medicines and anti-inflammatories. This can assist relieve discomfort while also encouraging teeth to break through a little faster.

Thrush

Babies can develop a yeast infection in their mouth. While Candida is typically present in your body and your baby’s mouth, there might be an overgrowth of yeast. It’s extremely unpleasant and may be affecting your baby’s ability to eat effectively.

Excess amounts of yeast are fairly typical after a round of antibiotics. Antibiotics eliminate both harmful and beneficial bacteria, so good bacteria can be harmed as well. This leaves an imbalance in the system, which may lead to thrush.

Thrush is typically a visible problem, so look inside your baby’s mouth if you think he or she has it. Filmy white patches are similar to milk may be seen if thrush is present. If the patch does not come off with a swipe of your finger, you’re looking at a thrush.

A simple regimen of prescription antifungal medicine will aid in the healing process.

If you have thrush, sterilize all of your plastic nipples or pacifiers to avoid recontamination. Is nursing? You’ll have to be treated for thrush, or the infection will travel back and forth between you.

Pathological Causes For Baby Crying

Fever

When a baby has a fever, he or she might lose interest in food and become irritable. A fever might be an indication of an underlying illness. Using a thermometer, check the baby’s temperature.

If you observe a temperature above 39°C (102.2°F) or if your baby is under three months old and has a temperature over 38°C (100.4°F), take him or her to the doctor immediately. Babies may cry after feeding owing to their high temperatures.

Ear pain

Earaches can cause irritability and discomfort in babies. If they have an earache, they may scream.

Intussusception

Children with intussusception may scream a lot. During the episode of agony, they frequently fold their legs up to their chests and wail.

Allergies and Intolerance

A baby’s allergy to milk or lactose intolerance can be a concern. It might produce abdominal cramps and induce a gassy and irritable feeling in the infant. Infants with galactosemia may be allergic to breast milk due to their inability to break down galactose, which is also present in breast milk.

If your baby continually howls following each feeding, there are a few things you can do to help him or her calm down.

Why Does My Baby Cry When Eating Formula? – Other Potential Causes

Feeding Too Late

If you’re like most parents, your baby’s fussiness happens as soon as you remove their bottle. This is because babies try to eat quickly when they’re hungry.

If this is an ongoing problem, try establishing a feeding plan for your child so you can anticipate when they will be hungry. 

Overfeeding

It’s easy to overfeed your newborn if you aren’t sure whether they’re hungry and offer them a little more food. If your baby isn’t hungry, he or she may still drink from the bottle but will become dissatisfied when doing so.

This is because sucking soothes them, but they must drink formula while sucking on the bottle, resulting in overfeeding. 

The Nipple Is Obstructed

When we shake the bottle to combine the mixture and water, some of the powder may enter the nipple.

When that happens, the powder does not dissolve in the rest of the solution in the bottle on rare occasions. I’ve noticed this occurs when I don’t shake the bottle sufficiently.

The baby’s head is just too big, and the powder spreads too swiftly. Once this happens, the kid can’t get any formula out of the bottle. Babies who are going through it will suck on their bottles and then wail. It’s because they’re hungry and anxious for the milk to come out.

Another reason for the clumping of formula would be its expiration.

The Temperature Of The Formula Is Not Suitable For The Baby

If your baby refuses a bottle, it’s usually because she doesn’t like the temperature. Other babies might be noisy while eating.

Change In Nipple Flow/Feeding Bottle

Has the flow of the nipple been altered? Has the type of bottle been changed?

Even if the change is beneficial to them, such as switching from baby bottles to narrow-mouthed ones to reduce airflow and gas production, babies might be irritated at first.

If the shift isn’t to solve a new problem, it’s fine to go back.

If you think the adjustment is necessary, though, try to stick it out. Babies who refuse to accept change even if it’s a different nipple may need a phased approach.

To do so, start by utilizing the nipple during one feeding each day and gradually increase the number of times you use it throughout the day. The same approach should be used when switching from milk to formula.

They Aren’t Hungry

Your infant may be crying during feeding since they aren’t hungry. When something else is wrong, babies pretend to be hungry by sucking them.

Your baby could be suffering from gas, colic, being too hot or cold, or having another problem.

They may also scream because they’re uncomfortable or upset in certain ways, which aren’t immediately obvious. Infants can become lonely. They might be afraid that you will leave if you depart the room if they don’t have object permanence. Your youngster can get frustrated as well!

What Should I Do When My Baby Cries After A Feed?

Wondering why does my baby cry when eating formula? If your baby’s crying after a feed, you might try the techniques below.

  1. Between and after feedings, let the baby burp. With their head on your shoulder, hold the infant in your arms. Tap softly between the infant’s shoulder blades, which are at the center of the upper back, until you hear burping. Place a towel on your shoulder since infants frequently regurgitate a little number of stomach contents with each burp.
  2. Give your baby a rest from feeding, especially if he or she has acid reflux.
  3. If you’re unsure if the formula is causing your baby’s constipation, try changing it. Keep an eye on your kid after each feed to see if they’re adjusting well to the food. Always test several formulas on your kid before selecting one that works best for them.
  4. If you’re wondering what to do about your teething baby’s sore gums, then give them a teething toy before nursing to relieve the discomfort. Only toys that are specifically designed for teething should be used, and not anything else.

The legs of a fussy baby should be straightened and their knees bent so that their tummy is pressed against them. These exercises have been found to alleviate gas in the infant, which can cause fussiness and crying after feeding.

When To See A Doctor?

If the baby cries after eating and has any of the symptoms listed below, get him or her seen by a pediatrician:

  • Diarrhea, which is often accompanied by vomiting, can be a sign of illness.
  • Abdominal bloating is a common problem.
  • Excessive bad-smelling gas.
  • Swelling of throat and face muscles.
  • Increased drowsiness and lethargy.

Your baby’s doctor can identify these by considering the symptoms and by performing blood and stool testing.

Is there a treatment for a baby’s screaming when it’s time to Feed?

Yes. The treatment is determined by the reason for the baby’s crying after feeding. Here are three of the most frequent treatments for this condition.

  1. Change in diet: Allergies and intolerance are long-term conditions. Your doctor will advise you on how to manage the condition by using alternative foods like soy milk and hydrolyzed milk formula.
  2. Change in feeding style: The baby may scream after a feeding owing to excessive gas ingestion as a result of an incorrect latch on the breast or bottle nipple.
  3. Medication: Some conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), necessitate the use of medicines.

When a baby cries after eating, it is seldom necessary to give any medicine. Most home cures are sufficient.

How To Make Feeding Time Simple For Both Baby And Mom?

If you want to prevent them from drinking from a bottle when they’re upset, here’s what you should try:

  1. Be on the lookout. This way, you’ll be able to determine what’s causing them to wail when nursing a bottle and figure out how to stop it.
  2. Get the physician involved as soon as possible. They will also prescribe drugs to cure any condition, if necessary, and suggest a different formula for your baby if required.
  3. Create a feeding schedule and stick to it so you don’t risk trying to feed your baby when they’re full. This can also assist you in determining if your baby is awake. If you try to force your kid to drink when they don’t want to, they will get frustrated and distressed, making them more likely to stop wanting solid food.
  4. It would be easier for your baby if they were fed by someone else at first, as the shift from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding may be difficult.

When was the last time you were able to complete a bottle-feeding session with your newborn without them crying?

If you can’t recall, it’s no doubt extremely difficult to feed your dog.

It may be time to try something new when your baby starts crying while nursing or drinking from the bottle.

You may use a variety of methods to restore calm to your baby’s feeding sessions once you understand what is triggering it.

Conclusion

It is important to rule out any medical causes first, such as an allergy or intolerance to the formula. If there are no medical causes, it could be that the baby is not used to the taste or texture of the formula, or that they are experiencing gas or discomfort from the bottle.

If you think that your baby is just not used to the formula, try mixing it with breast milk or water to help them adjust.

My name is Mark Joseph, and I’m on a mission to help new parents navigate the world of parenting. With over 5 years of experience as a parenting coach, I’m here to provide you with insight into all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and raising your newborn baby. Instagram Linkedln Facebook

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