Dear Parent,
If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re somewhere in the middle of a feeding struggle with your baby. Maybe you’re googling late at night, bottle in hand, wondering why every feed ends in tears. Maybe your baby turns their head, cries at the sight of a spoon, or only eats when asleep. And maybe, despite everything you’re trying, you feel like nothing is working.
We need to start here, with this simple truth: You are not alone.
Feeding aversion can feel like a quiet heartbreak. It often goes unseen by others—friends may not understand, family may offer unhelpful advice, and even medical professionals may overlook the emotional toll. But this experience? It’s real. It’s hard. And you are far from the only one walking through it.
Feeding Shouldn’t Feel Like a Battle—But Sometimes It Does
Feeding your baby is supposed to be one of those natural, bonding experiences. So when your baby starts resisting every feed, it can trigger worry, guilt, and even grief. You might feel like you’re doing something wrong. You may dread every bottle or mealtime, feeling defeated before it even begins.
But here’s the truth many parents don’t hear enough:
Feeding aversion is not your fault.
It’s not a failure, and it doesn’t mean your baby doesn’t love you or that you’re not doing enough.
Feeding aversion can happen to any baby—and any parent—regardless of how much love, effort, and care you pour into every feed.
So Many Parents Are Facing This Too
What’s often missing in the conversation around baby care is just how common feeding aversion is. You’re not hearing about it at playgroups or in picture-perfect posts because it’s not easy to talk about. But behind the scenes, many parents are going through the same things:
- Hours spent trying to get just a few ounces in
- Endless tricks and tips that don’t seem to work
- Feeling pressure from growth charts and feeding schedules
- The fear of judgment when you say, “My baby just won’t eat”
And yet—there is a community of parents out there who get it. They understand the frustration, the tears (yours and your baby’s), and the deep desire to just make things okay again.
What You’re Feeling Is Valid
Feeding aversion doesn’t just impact your baby—it affects you, too. You may be:
- Anxious before every feeding session
- Exhausted by the effort it takes to keep going
- Isolated, feeling like nobody truly understands
- Guilty, wondering if you caused this
- Helpless, unsure of what to do next
These feelings are not weaknesses—they’re signs that you’re deeply invested in your baby’s well-being. That you care. That you’re trying, even when it’s hard.
Reaching Out Isn’t Weakness—It’s Strength
You don’t have to carry this alone. One of the most powerful things you can do is to say, “I need support.”
That support can come in many forms:
- Talking to your pediatrician with honesty about your concerns
- Asking for a referral to a feeding therapist or lactation consultant
- Connecting with other parents who’ve been through this journey
- Joining online communities where others share their stories
- Letting your partner, friend, or family member step in to help you rest
Help is not just for people who have “tried everything.” It’s for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain. That includes you.
There Is Hope—And a Way Forward
Feeding aversion doesn’t last forever. With time, patience, and the right support, your baby can relearn that feeding is safe and even enjoyable. You can rebuild a connection that isn’t wrapped in anxiety or pressure.
You won’t always feel this way. Your baby won’t always resist. Progress may come slowly—sometimes in tiny wins like one extra sip or a feed without tears—but it does come.
And through it all, you’re growing, too. In strength. In compassion. In resilience.
You Are Not Alone—And You Never Have to Be
If your baby’s feeding aversion has left you feeling isolated, please hear this:
You’re not the only one who has cried in the kitchen at 2 a.m.
You’re not the only one who has questioned everything you’re doing.
You’re not the only one walking this path.
There is help. There is healing. And there are people who understand.
Reach out. Rest when you can. Let go of the pressure to be perfect.
You’re doing something brave every single day by showing up with love.
We see you.
We’re with you.
And you’re never alone in this.
With love and solidarity,
A fellow traveler on this path