Baby eating different amounts?

[BabyCleo]

Im a FTM and so confused. My 1.5 week old baby was up to eating 90ml a feeding (every 4 hours) but now has gone down to anywhere between 40-90ml per feeding. Is this normal? Im a bit worried but she still has an appetite and seems pretty happy. Could it have been a growth spurt? We are also treating thrush so im not sure if that plays into it. Thanks

 

[Rainbow82]

Also a FTM but I remember my son being similar he has a growth spurt at 6-8 days ish where he was taking over 100 ml every 3-4 hours then it dipped and he was taking 60ish but every 2.5-3 hours. TBH I'm not sure if it's normal but even now his pattern changes, yesterday he seemed constantly starving and when I added it up he had about 27oz (he's only 5 weeks today) but today he's only had about 23oz. If she seems alright in herself I wouldn't worry too much.

Forgot to add we have also been treating thrush since he was 10 days with nystatin. At it's worst he was eating a little less and playing with his bottle but probably only lasted a day or two. I have found his medicine makes him sleepy and it must slightly numb his mouth because he can't seem to take a bottle after so we have to make sure he has it after a feed.

 

[SoupDragon]

That seems pretty normal to me, my DD fluctuated a bit with how much she ate in the early days If you're concerned (but she's not ill), keep a record over a week or so and show it to whoever is seeing your baby in a healthcare capacity.

Thrush can make them reluctant to feed, as their mouth is sore, so that could also have something to do with it. It is quite likely to be a growth spurt at that age though

BTW Rainbow, the nystatin needs to be in contact with the mouth for as long as possible, ideally at least half an hour, so it should be given a short while after a feed (so there's no residual milk in the mouth) but as early as possible before the next one - if you feed straight after giving it, it's just going to wash away and the infection will take much longer to clear. Easier said than done, I know, I've been there!

 

[MindUtopia]

Totally normal. My daughter wasn't even having 90ml per feed until closer to 6-8 weeks, so I would say she's eating well for her age. Their stomachs are so, so tiny still, and they'll need to eat little and often, and the amounts will vary. As long as she's not finishing everything and still seeming hungry, she's doing just fine.

 

[BabyCleo]

Thank you I feel relieved lol. I'm giving her her thrush meds before feedings, I guess I should change that lol

 

[SoupDragon]

Thank you I feel relieved lol. I'm giving her her thrush meds before feedings, I guess I should change that lol

When the pharmacist explained to me how to give the nystatin, I nearly cried...the only way we can get DD to take any medicine is to hide it in her milk! But at least it's only a ml, so it's pretty quick to give, and after a little bit of outraged squalling she seemed to forget all about it, lol.

I hope your little one's thrush clears soon, it's a horrible thing, especially in such a tiny one

 

[BabyCleo]

I didn't even get it explained to me! I was told "make sure she swishes it in her mouth" .... yes, I can tell my baby to just swish away. Like, come on lol.

I put it in with the dropper and stick a specific soother in her mouth so she sucks it all around. I think that works lol. I was only told to give .5ml for some reason, but its almost cleared.

 

[Perplexed]

Hope your baby's thrush clears up

ds drank different amounts all day and still does sometimes. he seems fine so I guess its fine!