Checklist for parents
Does your baby have infant feeding aversion?
Mark what you have regularly seen in your baby for at least the last 10–14 days. Choose one answer for each question — the points are added up automatically.
Behaviour before and during feeds
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1
The baby starts to get upset, cry or scream even before the feed — when laid in the usual feeding position or at the sight of a bottle of formula/breast milk
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2
When offered the bottle, the baby presses their lips together, closes their mouth or turns their head away sharply
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3
After a few sips the baby pulls their whole body away, arches their back, pushes the teat out with their tongue or pushes the bottle away with their hands
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4
The baby clearly looks hungry (cries, roots, tries to suck their fingers or fists) but flatly refuses to take the bottle when it is offered
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5
The baby avoids eye contact during feeding attempts or refuses to eat when held in your arms
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6
The baby fiercely resists feeding until worn out from crying or falls asleep from exhaustion
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7
The baby eats reluctantly and drinks much less than expected (or the amounts vary sharply)
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8
The baby flatly refuses to eat while awake but sucks calmly and rhythmically when drowsy or asleep
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9
The baby takes most of their daily intake during night feeds or daytime naps
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10
“Conflicted” behaviour is typical of most babies with feeding aversion. It looks like this: the baby eagerly takes the teat, has 2–3 sips, but immediately gets upset, turns away or arches. A few seconds later they turn back to the bottle, take the teat again, have a couple of sips and pull away upset again. This cycle of repeated attempts and sudden refusals happens many times in one feed
Answered: 0 of 10
What if the baby is simply in pain?
An important check: ruling out physical pain and illness (GERD, cow’s milk protein allergy, etc.). Tick the statements that are true for your baby:
Tick the statements that are true for your baby.
If you answered “yes” to 3 out of 4 statements, physical pain (for example from reflux or allergy) is highly unlikely. Real pain doesn’t disappear the moment a feed ends — it bothers the baby on and off throughout the day and night.
Your results
Answer all the test questions and your result will appear here.
What the results mean
Normal behaviour
The baby shows healthy, natural feeding behaviour, and occasional signs of unease (for example, sometimes not finishing the formula, getting distracted or being fussy now and then) may be due to everyday or age-related factors. As a rule, feeding does not cause fear, anxiety or defensive reactions: the baby feels safe and readily takes the bottle or breast.
There is a risk of developing feeding aversion
Tension is starting to build. The baby does not yet show strong refusal or aversive behaviour, but is already beginning to experience feeding as a controlled and intrusive process, reacting with wariness and occasional protest.
Marked risk / early stage of aversion
The baby has developed persistent defensive and avoidant reactions, regularly refuses food while awake, and feeding turns into a constant battle.
High risk of infant feeding aversion
The baby openly and strongly protests at any hint of feeding: screams at the sight of the bottle or when laid in the feeding position, arches their back, presses their lips together or eats only when completely emotionally exhausted. Or, to avoid this behaviour, all feeds happen while the baby is asleep or very drowsy.