In my experience, it's best to just leave them alone and not force food on them - if they flat out refuse to eat, then they really don't want it, particularly if they have always been a good eater. With a middle ear infection it probably hurts to move his jaw too much - there is less movement with sucking than there is chewing. I would just let him have the bottles and attempt to get him to eat, but once he refuses, then stop trying. He will eat when he wants to eat.