How much formula for 3 month old?

[Smanderson]

Hi ladies,

My son is 13 weeks and has acid reflux pretty bad he is on omeprezole and domperidone to manage which is working but it's a battle getting food into him every day he fusses at the bottle and basically grazes all day I'm lucky if I can get 24 oz into him by bed time some days less but generally it's 24 oz

My hv said to draw him out to 3 hourly feeds but I'm frightened he won't feed enough he's already dropping below 25th centile as it is how much should he have? Is it ok to keep up the grazing or should I try the 3 hourly? I'm so worried

 

[AP]

We went with 3 hourly but it all depends on your little one. We found going the 3 hours meant she was really hungry so would take without fuss at first, but at the same time, it could be too much to have in your LO's tummy and they might just chuck it all back up. (I don't know if your little one is a projectile one but ours was, but grazing was never an option for us!)

 

[felix555]

I'd definitely try the 3 hourly routine if you can. Give it a day and see how you get on? My baby doesn't have these issues but I've noticed even with him he will only play with the bottle and not finish it if I don't wait at least 3 hrs between feeds.

I'd be trying it if I was you.

 

[usmcwife78]

my son is 3 months (he will be 4 months August 3rd), he has acid reflux, he takes 4 oz every 3hrs, sometimes he will do 4 1/2 right b4 he goes to sleep. The dr has him on meds for his reflux and as of Monday afternoon put him on rice cereal 1 teaspoon for every 1 oz of formula. My son was early and was a preemie, he weighed 5lbs when he was born and now weighs 12lbs 11 ozs so he is doing just fine at eating 4oz. Dont worry,ur doing just fine...I worried too

 

[Smanderson]

Thanks ladies, I'm going to try him 3 hourly like you say it's worth trying and better for both of us. I guess we fell into the bad habits and a paediatrician told me to feed on demand...I think we took that to extremes lol so now back to timed feeds. Perhaps it has become a vicious cycle, fussing cos not hungry enough and taking smaller amounts cos he can. I am going to give it a week and speak to hv if it doesn't work.

He's 12lb9oz so not so different to your LO usmcwife but he was 6 lb3 when born glad to hear your preemie is doing well my niece was born at 26 weeks and is now in a fast track programme for university

Any ideas how to know when they are ready for next size teats? I'm wondering if that's also adding to the issue

 

[Lady H]

I think three months for next teats. Just changed over mine today, she also has reflux. It's helped a bit but she did just vomit 100ml back up! I think she needs to adjust to the faster flow as I noticed she's gulping more air at the moment. I'm hoping she will get the technique down quickly. Recommend if you change teats to burp for longer initially

 

[ispeakinsongs]

Our LO has 210ml five times a day, every 3 hours. Have you tried reflux milk?

 

[Smanderson]

Thanks LadyH will try changing him up

Ispeak do you think it's the formula he not liking? I never thought of that


I tried 3 hourly today and seemed to go well but he slept way less and ony took an oz more than usual. We will see how it goes I guess, has been a busy day so maybe that's not helped

 

[ispeakinsongs]

Well we bought Aptamil Reflux Milk and it worked a treat with her (tried meds before and they didnt work). Might be worth a shot. It is thickened milk, so it stays in their tummies better.

 

[Smanderson]

So far the 3 hourly is going ok but the size 3 teats were too fast for him will try again in a week as he seems to have to work hard with the size 2s

He has been more fussy but taking more if I persistently offer the bottle for an hour...is this ok? He takes 5 or 6 oz per feed if I do this but if not only 2 or 3 oz

I haven't changed formula yet but that's next on the list lol

 

[felix555]

Sounds like your doing great! He's probably just getting into a new routine with it. I'd just keep going if I was you.

 

[Smanderson]

Thanks Felixstowe will keep trying x