Is this normal for a 4 1/2month old

[scucci1979]

Alyssa is on 7.5mg of Prevacid and taking domperidone for her spit up and reflux. We also put her on Nutramigen to rule out any milk protein allergies.  Anyhow, this girl is a little eater! she is drinking 45ozs in a 24hour period, double then what her sister drank at that age.  It makes me wonder if she really needs her second night feed.

Is this a normal amount? Is she just a hungry baby?

[Lolly]

That's a fairly large amount of formula in 24 hours - not unheard of but certainly on the larger end of the scale! Is her reflux under control? Could she be taking more because she is comfort feeding? Also I *think* formulas like nutramigen are fairly thin (please correct me if I'm wrong!) so it may be worth thinking about thickening her feeds

Laura

[scucci1979]

Her reflux seems to be under control. Nutramigen is a thinner formula. I will try to thicken them.

[Texomamama]

Wow, 45 oz does seem like a lot, but, maybe she is just hungry.  My DD2 is a week shy of 4 mo and she drinks about 32-35 oz a day.  She, too, eats much more than DD1 (although DD1 was EBF, so I am not sure exact amount).  DD2 is easily 3 lbs bigger at the same age.

Isn't it crazy how siblings can be so different?

[oe]

wow! O only eats 27-32oz in 24 hrs... what does the dr say? I think you could totally eliminate nf. Do it slowly and see what happens... just my opinion.

[*Liz*]

What is happening to her weight gain?? Crossing centiles or holding steady?

[scucci1979]

she is holding steady. I wonder if she is just eating for the sucking motion or if it is just the formula.  She used to also give me 6-7hr stretches at night, but they are now down to 4-5hours. 

[okinawamama]

I had a large little boy, who was 18lbs at 4months, and they were asking me about overfeeding him so they gave me some recommendations for feeding....

From what I've read/they said a baby should take in about 2.5oz a formula per pound of body weight but to not exceed 32oz. They also talked to me about over all calorie intake

Formula contains 20calories per oz of formula, and again, from what they told me a child 0-6months of age needs 50calries pound of body weight.

My doc did recommend starting solids around 4months because we did start to creep over that 32oz mark. Once we did that, the formula intake did go back to around 30-32o per day. I know that the recommendation is normally not to start solids until 6months, but just sharing what we did.

I'd ask your doc if you're concerned. It does sound like 45oz is a lot of formula, but I've never dealt with a reflux baby....and on top of that they always say each child is different

[Lolly]

That's interesting Stephanie - thanks!

I know in the UK I don't know anybody who has been told to limit the amount of formula a baby takes. We are always told to feed to demand and that babies will regulate themselves. There is a big growth spurt around 4 months which is when people think they should beging solids but really milk is the better option for most. We weaned DD early (17 weeks) under medical advice because of reflux, I wasn't happy with it, my plan was to follow WHO guidance and wait the 6 months but she needed it. Just shows how much advice differs from country to country and Dr to Dr - and they wonder why we get confused

Laura

[scucci1979]

I have her 4month needle next week and plan to ask him about her intake.  I too agree that she is drinking more then she should.  I still wonder if the formula is playing a role.

[clairebear79]

Following along... DS is drinking 4x 9oz bottles during the day plus maybe 4-5oz at night at the moment.  Around 40oz total I'd say.  I too think this is a lot, but he is a big baby I'd guess he's nearly 18lb now.  He is on infant gaviscon for mild reflux.  Didn't realise this can play a part in how much they drink??

His NW are getting earlier too, used to be 5.30-6 now we're waking for a feed at 4am again.  

[Texomamama]

Sabs, out of curiousity, how often is she eating?  My LO is still taking 6-7 bottles a day.  Even though she goes 3.5 between feedings often....

Interesting how many of us are at the 4-5 mo mark and experiencing all these earlier NW.  Got to be the growth and developmental spurt.  At least, I hope so, b/c that means it will end

[scucci1979]

She is eating around the 3.5hour mark. 

Got to be the growth and developmental spurt.  At least, I hope so, b/c that means it will end

I hope so!!

[scucci1979]

Ladies, her pead suggested to begin solids at 5months due the volume she is drinking.  I am a little scared to try.  She is also waking more frequently at night.  Last night she woke up for three feeds. Each feed was 4ozs though.

[Texomamama]

Having lots of night wakings too.  I only feed her once though.  I still think lots of these NW's are due to some weird developmental stuff.

Don't be scared about the solids.  5 months is fine if you watch her.  The suggestions to wait till 6 months center on two issues- their GI track being so young and the dangers of them aspirating food due to neck instability and tongue thrust.  The former you won't know till you try and see how she tolerates food, and the latter can be avoided by carefully observing her and making sure she is not gagging and coughing while eating.  If she is, stop and try again a couple weeks later.