Eszter, this sounds very like the sort of behaviour described by a
doctor here in Perth, Western Australia, who specialises in the
treatment of children with eustacian tube irritation and otitis
media. She describes very similar scenarios and suggests that the
babies ears be tested using a tympanogram. They are often not 'bad
enough' to have obvious ear infections - just irritation.

For these babies, it hurts to lie in a breastfeeding position, so
they resist this, and have negative reactions to the act of
breastfeeding, but if held in the more upright bottle-feeding
position and fed by bottle, they are OK.

The cause is often traced back to allergies causing the eustacian
tube irritation.

The other thing that comes to mind is reflux - these babies may often
only eat enough to 'survive' and not grow, as again, it hurts to eat.
This can also be traced to allergies or intolerances in many cases.

Hope this helps with further investigations on this baby. Sounds like
the mother is a real trooper. She and her baby deserve to enjoy each
other.

Joy
******************************************************************
Joy Anderson B.Sc. Dip.Ed. Grad.Dip.Med.Tech. IBCLC
Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor
Perth, Western Australia.   mailto:[log in to unmask]
******************************************************************

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