11 weeks and only eating 1.5 ounces

[MischasMommy]

My 11 week old is only taking in 1.5 ounces each feed...she's always been a tiny eater but was at about 3.5 - 4 ounces every 3 hours, but now is only at 1.5 and is hungry every hour!
I've tried giving her longer to feed and just igving herbreaks, but she flips out and it only makes it worse if I keep trying to feed.  I don't think it's reflux, and I've tried putting a few more holes in the nipples, but it hasn't made a difference 
Please help!

[Lolly]

First can I ask what makes you think it's not reflux? Taking tiny amounts very frequently and refusing to feed with lots of arching, crying, screaming (if that's what she is doing) are quite typical symptoms of reflux. Frequent feeds sooth the throat but they won't take full feeds because they know it hurts. Have a look here for more info - and don't forget they don't need to be spitting/ puking up to have reflux, silent refluxers very rarely puke. http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=654.0

Have you tried holding her off by distracting her to get a better interval between feeds? Does she have a dummy at all? Have you tried a faster flow teat rather than just adding extra holes?

Laura

[LizzieN]

I was also going to ask what makes you think it's not reflux....I so SO hope she starts eating more for you soon, that must be very worrying.....

tbh I would probably head to the doctor to make sure that everything is ok with her, ie no sore throat, ear infections or anything like that.  They can get dehydrated so quickly I think I would want the reassurance that she was ok...

...not trying to worry you btw.
Hugs
xxLizzie

[Edesanja]

My DD was like this. I was breastfeeding though but she was also only taking tiny feeds - just enough to take the edge off her hunger but would go nuts if I tried to get her to have more. Turned out she was milk protein intolerant and had silent reflux and my milk just caused her so much pain. Once I stopped eating dairy and all the dairy was out of our systems, she was great. She still had silent reflux and was medicated, but it was hardly an issue anymore.

I'd keep that in mind since you're probably feeding her a dairy based formula, but would agree that you should get her checked out.

[MischasMommy]

Thanks you guys...i've bought some faster flow nipples and have a doctor's appt on Monday - so hopefully she'll get back on track soon!

[LizzieN]

Make sure you let us know how you go sweetie, will be thinking of you and your LO hoping that this gets sorted out really quickly! 
xxLizzie

[MischasMommy]

Thanks you guys...it did turn out to be reflux, and the antacid is helping sooooooo much! If you can give me any advice on how to get her back onto a 3 hour schedule instead of snacking (side effect of small feeds with reflux and desperate to get anything into her), I'd hugely appreciate it!
Thanks again!

[Lolly]

I'm sorry about the reflux - been there twice now and it's not fun.

What meds is she on, how much and what is her weight - just out of interest .

With the feeds, I think you just need to distract her as much as possible to get as near to 3 hours between feeds so that hopefully she will take more and then be able to last longer. Are you using a dummy/ paci? That can help and is actually good for the reflux. Some refluxers do need smaller more frequent feeds - just some thing to keep in mind.

It can take a few weeks for the meds to kick in properly and for her to realise that it's not hurting to feed any more, so you should hopefully keep seeing an improvement. What formula are you on? If she doesn't have an issue with cow's milk based formulas have you thought about trying a reflux formula - I have had good success with Enfamil AR (I think it's Enfamil AA in the US) which thickens in the tummy to help the refluxing.

Laura

[MischasMommy]

She's about 10 1/2 pounds now...FINALLY!  Still tiny considering she's 3 months, but a definate improvement from when she was barely eating!  The doc prescribed Zantac, 0.75ml - 1.0ml twice a day, and so far so good. I do give her a paci, but rarely works for holding her off when she's hungry....and she just melts down completely - even though she'll only take in an ounce or so.

She gets a minimum of 24 ounces a day, max about 26.5 - would love to get a little more into her, but she's not a big eater still. I've tried the Enfamil, but she got really constipated, so I switched to the Nestle and it seems to have helped a lot...lower calorie count, but not much.

Thanks again all!

Amber

[LizzieN]

Sweetheart, hugs to you I'm sorry that it turned out to be reflux, but I'm glad that you have had some answers and that there isn't anything else going on with your precious little bundle

I would definately head over to the colic reflux and crying board and chat to some of the ladies over there.  LizJ has had a food refuser and may have some tips for you on how to get your LO to drink some more...The only thing I can think of is to keep your feeds REALLY low key, so move to a really quiet room, keep the room darkened and just try and stay really relaxed about it, perhaps play some quiet music or some white noise in the background....Refluxers tend to feed better when they are relaxed which is why they often tend to feed and feed overnight then don't feed during the day.

I have two refluxers too although I'm pretty convinced that my NB is much milder than my first baby, neither have been food refusers though (knock on wood) so I have that to be thankful for!

Anyway, huge hugs sweetheart...I hope the zantac really helps but bear in mind if it doesn't then there are other medications which are incredibly mild (in terms of side effects) but very effective (my two are on proton pump inhibitors)...ohh and watch out for constipation with the zantac!

More hugs
xxLizzie