It's becoming increasingly difficult to feed my four-month-old baby.

Feeding a 4-month-old baby is becoming increasingly difficult, which may be caused by incorrect feeding posture, the nursing strike phase, lactose intolerance, or other reasons.

1. Incorrect Feeding Posture

The baby's head should be elevated to about 45 degrees to help them latch onto the nipple or bottle teat more effectively. After each feeding, hold the baby upright and gently pat their back until they burp, ideally for 10–20 minutes.

2. Nursing Strike Phase

If the baby is going through a nursing strike, do not force them to drink milk. Offer some water instead—this phase usually lasts about a week. Help the baby develop good feeding habits by feeding at consistent times each day, which can aid gastric emptying.

3. Lactose Intolerance

Pay attention to whether the baby refuses milk due to intolerance to breast milk or formula. If the baby consistently avoids milk and frequently has diarrhea, it is recommended to visit a local hospital to check for lactose intolerance. Temporarily switch to a hydrolyzed formula. Probiotic preparations such as Bifidobacterium quadruple live bacteria granules, Bacillus licheniformis live bacteria granules, or Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus subtilis live bacteria granules may be used under medical guidance to promote carbohydrate digestion and absorption and alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance. Additionally, taking lactase enzyme supplements before consuming lactose-containing foods can enhance the body’s ability to digest lactose and ultimately relieve symptoms.

Besides the above, a baby's reluctance to feed may also result from poor milk quality. Parents are advised to promptly visit a hospital to identify the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment.