Feeding every 2 - 2 1/2 hours at 8 weeks old and not taking much milk

[KimE]

I'm not sure what to do with Poppy, she still only takes 2 1/2 to 4 oz per feed and likes to feed every 2 - 2 1/2 hours (She weighed just under 9lbs last week by the way). I've tried pushing her back to 3 hours and after managing to distract her it comes to feeding time and she's past-it and asleep!! She has reflux and been a sicky baby since birth so has Infant Gaviscon in her feeds and takes a good 30 - 40 minutes to take a feed. She feeds out of Nuk bottles as Avent made her even sickier. She also has started messing around - eats well for the first 5 mins then spits the milk out and plays with the teat. I'm at my wits end as I am having problems getting her to take a decent amount (with her being sick as well). I breastfed for the first 3 weeks and she was sick with this too so I know its not the formula. please!!

EDIT she also has problems with trapped wind which is why I am worried about changing her bottles as Nuk are meant to be very good for this

 

[Plumfairy]

Not sure hun.. but wanted to send a xx

 

[KimE]

Anyone???

 

[Plumfairy]

Not sure, but maybe she just got used to feeding little and often? (from bfing) Im afraid I dont really know though, I hope someone can give you some reassurance xxx

 

[whitelilly]

Hon, if Poppy is 9lb she should be taking about 22oz per 24 hour period... even if she is only taking 2oz every 2 hours then she is eating the right amount.

Perhaps you should let her get past it and fall asleep next time... she might waken up hungry and eat more then?

I do know what you mean though because Harris is a really fussy eater.. sometimes he eats loads quite comfortably and the next feed he will squeal and push the bottle away after a couple of Ozs xx

 

[KimE]

Hon, if Poppy is 9lb she should be taking about 22oz per 24 hour period... even if she is only taking 2oz every 2 hours then she is eating the right amount.

Perhaps you should let her get past it and fall asleep next time... she might waken up hungry and eat more then?

I do know what you mean though because Harris is a really fussy eater.. sometimes he eats loads quite comfortably and the next feed he will squeal and push the bottle away after a couple of Ozs xx

Thanks hun, I have tried this and she wakes up later and still only takes 2 - 2 1/2 ozs! which then means shes missed a feed she sleeps from 7pm until 3am ish then back down till 6.30am and has done this for a couple of weeks which is why I worry about making sure she's getting enough when shes awake

 

[whitelilly]

do you let her play on the floor after her feed? the kicking will exhaust her and she will sleep better and maybe waken up hungrier? don't worry though- some babies just eat less xx

 

[Plumfairy]

Hon, if Poppy is 9lb she should be taking about 22oz per 24 hour period... even if she is only taking 2oz every 2 hours then she is eating the right amount.

Perhaps you should let her get past it and fall asleep next time... she might waken up hungry and eat more then?

I do know what you mean though because Harris is a really fussy eater.. sometimes he eats loads quite comfortably and the next feed he will squeal and push the bottle away after a couple of Ozs xx

Thanks hun, I have tried this and she wakes up later and still only takes 2 - 2 1/2 ozs! which then means shes missed a feed she sleeps from 7pm until 3am ish then back down till 6.30am and has done this for a couple of weeks which is why I worry about making sure she's getting enough when shes awake

i wouldnt worry about her not getting enough as long as shes gaining weight and has lots of wet nappies etc. Maybe just not an overly hungry baby. She's still very young with a very small tummy. Im sure once she wants it she'll start taking more. xxx

 

[KimE]

Thanks guys I just worry about her and I think the health visitors can make you worry too xx

 

[Plumfairy]

Thanks guys I just worry about her and I think the health visitors can make you worry too xx

Aaaw bloody health visitors!! Just em!! I swear some of them havent even had babies!! So long as she's generally happy in herself then I wouldnt worry too much about it. (easier said than done, i know) xxxx

 

[Aidedhoney]

Alex was the same as Poppy, i make him last 3 to 3 and a half hours for his feed, he also used to take a long time to finish a feed so i switched him to med flow teats which helped a great deal.

Alex is the same age as Poppy and he weighed in at bang on 9lbs today xx

 

[KimE]

Alex was the same as Poppy, i make him last 3 to 3 and a half hours for his feed, he also used to take a long time to finish a feed so i switched him to med flow teats which helped a great deal.

Alex is the same age as Poppy and he weighed in at bang on 9lbs today xx

Thanks, I think I am going to give changing the teat size a go and see if she'll take slightly quicker and more, how many oz's is Alex taking hun? And how many bottles a day? xx

 

[Aidedhoney]

Alex takes between 4 and 5oz every 4 hours..................if he feeds every 3 hours he only takes 3oz.
I try and make him go the 4 hours.
Today hes fed at 6.30am, 10am, 2pm, 5pm, and 9pm. Hes had nearly 5oz at every feed.

 

[NoSpringChick]

I would try giving her gripe water in the middle of a feed. x