Fed up - Help!!

[Amandabelk05]

So my baby is 5 days old and I'm struggling to get her to take more than 2oz at every feed, she's feeding every 3 to 4 hours but sometimes it can take more than an hour to get her to take the 2oz.

I spoke to the midwife today as I have been an emotional wreck and have tried all her suggestions, stripping baby off, changing nappy half way through feeding to wake her up but nothing seems to be helping

Any ideas ladies

 

[Vickie]

have you tried changing the teat size?

 

[suzib76]

2oz is a pretty normal amount at just a few days old tbh hun - she will be taking 4 or 5 before you know it like, but for 5 days thats ok x

 

[Amandabelk05]

2oz is a pretty normal amount at just a few days old tbh hun - she will be taking 4 or 5 before you know it like, but for 5 days thats ok x

It was the midwife that said it was too little at that she should be taking more but I can't force her to take it if she doesn't want it!
I've got the midwife coming tomorrow so I will speak to her then about it.

Thanks x

 

[debjolin]

I think 2oz sounds just about right.

 

[Mynx]

I agree with the others, 2 oz is about right for a 5 day old. At this age, their bellies are tiny and can only cope with a small amount of milk at a time so they tend to feed little and often. I cant vouch for what Evie was on as I was breastfeeding when she was 5 days old but she seemed to be forever feeding!
As you say, you cant force your LO to take more! Besides, if you do manage to get her to take more than she needs, she'll only puke it up! She'll eat what she needs and when she needs it

 

[bek74]

That sounds spot on to me. I had to convert your oz into mls (thats what we use in Aus) and it is 60mls and my boys were drinking that amount if not a little less. I wouldn't worry give her time and she will be drinking double that about.

 

[Eala]

I sometimes think that MWs and HVs would like it if babies came in a little "one size fits all" box

Your LO will be taking what is right for her. My LO was taking about 1.5 to 2oz every 2.5 to 3 hours, and my HV was getting on at me about her "snacking". She gradually moved to wanting more milk at longer intervals herself.

Remember that the MW advice is just that - advice

 

[Jody R]

I agree with the others, you can't force her and if you tried she would bring it all back again.

If she and you were happy with her feeds then ignore the midwife.

One thing nobody told me though was that when Joseph stopped feeding and I winded him, he might actually then want a little bit more and wasn't actually done.

I was breastfeeding and first and they didn't tell me to try him again and then when we started bottle feeding they still didn't tell me and I thought he had stopped because he was full.

Someone made a chance remark so after winding him I offered him the bottle again and he took another ounce.

If he didn't want it though he wouldn't take it and I didn't force him.

Babies know what they want when they went it and like Eala said, they gradually change thier patterns themselves and let you know if they want more.

 

[DizzyMoo]

2oz sounds spot on to me anorl hun, as said above there bellies are to small to fit more in so 2oz is about right especially at only 5days old (congrats btw x) .

 

[OmarsMum]

Omar used to take 2 oz every 3-4 hrs for the 1st 2 wks. For the next 4 wks he started taking 3 oz per feed. dont worry hun, when she's hungry she'll let u knw.

Until now he takes less than the recomended, & is doing great

 

[Amandabelk05]

Thanks for all your replies you really put my mind at ease. The senior midwife came today for Poppy's check up and heel prick and said 2 oz is fine and Poppy has only lost a half ounce of her birth weight which has made me feel loads better and not like I was starving her

It is true though after winding her loads and trying to get her to take an extra ounce she would then just puke the whole lot back up so I'm sticking to my 2 oz till Poppy tells me otherwise

Thanks again x

 

[Mynx]

Wow she only lost half an ounce of her birth weight? That's fab 2oz is perfect for her then! God knows what that other MW was on about!

Poppy will soon let you know when she wants more

 

[Emma1980]

yeah thats a great amount to lose! Fin lost half a pound!

listen to your baby, she'll tell you when she wants more!

 

[Kit]

That sounds fine to me - I was also breastfeeding at that stage but we had to introduce formula at the end of the second week and he only took 3 oz then - he was on 7oz in his second month and 9 by 4 months so I would start stocking up on formula!

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

At that age Ruby took 1oz!

But like Kit's LO, she was on 9oz by 4 months.

 

[Raven24]

i would only worry if LO is not putting on weight hun, i dont think that william had more than 2oz at tht age either its not long before they start taking more xx