Baby not drinking enough for her age...

[Lilly123]

Hi all - my baby is 5.5 months and she is a poor eater.. she used to be only breastfed but since I have been back at work for last 3 weeks she has been getting formula at daycare and breastfeeding in morning and night..

she only eats 3 oz 5-6 times a day every 3 hours... which is way too little i think according to what she should be having - i am guessing what she takes when she breastfeeds as its never for long.. now I dont know what to do.. she is putting on weight.. but i should weigh her this week as this week has been her worst eating week, she has also had a cold which i think has affected her appetite... i am sure she lost weight this week cause she has eaten so little.. also her poo is quite dry so i think she is dehydrated...

anyone else with a poor eater and what do you do to up intake.. she has never drank more than 4oz in one sitting since she was born...

advice needed please xxx

 

[mrsthomas623]

Nolan is a bit younger than your LO, but he is not a big eater either but seems to put weight on pretty well. But if he has a bad day like earlier this week (went from 9 am to 5pm only taking 1 oz) I feed him when hes sleeping just to get that extra bottle in.

 

[Nimbus]

No advice sorry, but i am going through a similar thing. My boy has never managed a feed from a bottle of more than 4 oz and although he is a super bfeeder, weaning is proving tricky and he's up all night trying to get the extra calories in.

i hope this is a phase and quickly passes for you

 

[ellie27]

Anna is now 8 months but she was never a big milk drinker either - she is enjoying her food now though!!

Before weaning Anna would take about 25oz max a day - a 5 oz bottle at a time. I was always worried as I as am always hearing others' LO's taking 40oz a day or 9oz bottles. Anna's weight is exactly on track so I always knew she was getting enough.

Your LO is gaining weight so no worries. My Anna preferred to drink little but more often

 

[Lilly123]

thanks ladies.. i am also considering maybe just breastfeeding and stopping formula.. but that means alot of pumping to get my milk supply up... not even sure if its the formula that the problem or just her not being a big eater.. she is quite a skinny baby for her height but she is putting on weight every month so must be fine.. arghh.. so frustrating... wish i had a big eater.. i am worried solids will also be a challenge.. tried baby rice a few times but she keeps her lips tightly closed lol