is he having too much ?

[lilly_kitt]

Hi Ladies

Today was the second time someone commented on how much my 14 week old son has to drink.  He is fed every 3 hours and has 6oz each time, he doesn't drink it all in one sitting (apart from in the night) and normally takes 2 sittings to finish a bottle.  He's on aptimal comfort.

Is this too much for his age ?  He weighs 14lb.

Thanks

sarah
x

[Lolly]

What is his intake over 24 hours - is it 5 feeds plus the night feed so about 36oz? The recommended intake is 2 to 2.5 oz per lb of body weight so a 14lb baby "should" be taking 28-35oz in 24 hours. Of course babies don't read the rec so they vary a lot. I don't think it is a lot to be honest.

When you say he takes bottles in 2 sittings how long do you give him between sittings? What flow teat/ bottles are you using too?

Laura

[lilly_kitt]

Hi Laura

Thanks for your response, he's on size 3 teats as he's on gaviscon aswell as the comfort milk so was struggling with the size 2.  He will have the whole bottle within an hour, maybe less he just takes time to finish it.  He has 6 feeds including the night feed.
Its just that my friend commented how he weights the same as her 6 month old girl and my auntie said he should be 4 hourly by now.

sarah
x

[Lolly]

I just checked DD's red book - she was 15lb 3oz at 14 weeks and is 22lbs now at 9 months! If your HV isn't worried (and i can't see any reason they would be!) then I really wouldn't worry about what other people have to say - there's always someone with an opinion!

Ideally they should finish a bottle within about 20 mins or you could get into snacking territory. I know I have never gone back to a bottle once they stop (or only after burping so maybe a 5 min gap). I'm surpried he gets anything out of the teats on the easy digest and gaviscon - he must have a very good suck! Did you HV/Dr suggest the gaviscon with the easy digest as really gaviscon isn't supposed to be used with pre-thickened milks   Which bottles are you using? Avent do a vari-flow which is a lot faster than the other variflows so if you are using those bottles I would try those to see if you can get him to drink a bit faster. At 14 weeks you will be edging towards a 4 hour cycle soon so he may drink a bit faster when he goes a bit longer between feeds. The problem you may find later is if he is still taking so long to drink you will find it more difficult to time solids and sleep in a cycle.

Laura

[lilly_kitt]

Hi Laura

He is on the Dr Brown bottles, we tried everything to help with his wind/colic in the early weeks so started on these bottles.  The doctor knows he's on the comfort milk and hasn't said anything, but he is due to be reassessed this week for his meds so will ask again then.  I think he does have abit of a snacking problem to be honest and am not sure how to stop this little habit.  I think alot of it is when he had problems sleeping so my hubs got into the bad habit of feeding him until he fell asleep and would continue to do it when he woke during the night, now he is in his own bed and in a routine he only has one bottle at night but I think snacks during the day.
sarah
x

[Lolly]

Dr Brown's do a Y cut teat for thicker liquids - that may be worth a try!

Laura