Eloïse "isn't drinking enough" for her age

[mrsraggle]

We use HiPP Organic and Eloïse is 6 weeks old. According to the box by her age and her weight she should be taking 120ml/4oz every feed. And in a couple of weeks should be moving onto 150ml/5oz every feed.

But since she was 2 weeks old she's taken sporadic amounts and at varying times. For instance, she may drink 90ml/3oz bottles during the day (maybe 3-4 bottles), probably 120ml/4oz bottle before bed (over 2 hours usually) and then 30/60ml (1oz/2oz) bottles over night (1 or 2). So probably 17oz over the day.

She's gained weight well so far and is 2lb up on her birth weight.

My advice to myself would be that if she's happy and gaining weight and full at each feed I should just carry on letting her dictate. But today I'm having a little worry session. Am I right to continue letting Eloïse lead?

 

[hivechild]

I would be happy with that weight gain in a month. You can't make her drink more than she wants our needs so if she's happy and you're happy then don't worry!

 

[ShellysBelly]

Always let her dictate how much she'll have if she's gaining weight and happy. The guidelines on the formula pack are just that, guidelines.

 

[Claire788]

bah, ignore the guidelines hun, Luke was only drinking sometimes half what the box says, he's almost doubled his birth weight at 19 weeks, (9lbs 4 at birth) and is only drinking 5oz in a bottle now!!

 

[Miss-Boo]

don't worry. my little girl is 7 weeks old and only having 3oz every feed (3-4 hours) and she's gaining weight perfectly.
aslong as your baby is putting on weight and is healthy I wouldn't worry.

 

[Nic1107]

Don't worry about the guidelines hun, all babies are different! Over here there aren't even amounts listed on the formula tins, honestly I think it's a bit mad that they have them at all because it causes moms to worry unnecessarily! If your LO is still hungry she'll cry for more, if she's full she'll stop eating. Carmen has a small appetite too, but gains weight like a champ. No worries hun!

 

[OmarsMum]

Omar is a big baby, & the max he went for is 28 oz at 4 mnths. Today he only took 17oz with 1 yoghurt & 1/2 portion of cereals. He's never been a big eater, but it didnt affect his growth. As long as she's maintaining her weight gain, there is nothing to worry about hun. xx

 

[Mynx]

As the others have said, as long as she's happy and thriving, dont worry! Easier said than done tho, I know that I still write down every what Evie has at each feed... I'm so anal lol!
When she was tiny, she wasnt taking the "recommended" amount on the box, she was taking less... now at 7 months, she's taking more! She should be on 3 7oz bottles a day and is on 4 8oz bottles lol! Guidelines are just that hun, guidelines. Definately let your baby dictate how much she wants and when she wants it .. that's the beauty of demand feeding

 

[Vickie]

Hannah never drank the amount she was supposed to but always gained weight and was happy and healthy. As long as your LO is gaining and thriving I wouldn't worry about it Definitely don't try to force her to take more than she wants

 

[Lara310809]

They say as long as the baby is gaining weight, then she's doing well. If she's not going hungry, then I don't think there's a problem. Chloë was leaving milk when I gave her 4oz feeds, and she was due to move up to 5oz Worrying that my LO wasn't eating enough, I gave her 5oz feeds and prayed she ate them. She seemed to go from 3oz to 5oz in about 8 days, and it seems now 5oz isn't enough, even though it should be Try not to worry, and let her tell you how much she needs. Obviously if you're concerned you can talk to the HV or doctor, but I would think she's fine.

 

[chele]

I worry about this all the time but Max is gaining weight well and I don't think it's a real problem now.

I've heard they're supposed to have 75-90ml per lb of weight. Therefore Max should have a minimum of 900ml a day. He doesn't - he averages about 750ml. But he's my little fatty and still only takes the same amount each feed that he did when he was 3 weeks old