11 week old taking only 1 oz

[~Alexa~]

My baby is 11 weeks old.  Recently, he's started taking only 1 oz per feeding every 3 hours, he doesn't seem hungry.  If I feed him every 3.5 - 4 hours, then he takes 4 oz. What should Ido? He can't handle 2 hr of A time so we can't move to a 4 hr routine, but the 3 hr EASY doesn't work anymore.

Any advice?

[Lolly]

It's very common for bottle fed babies to need a 4 hour feed before they can handle a 4 hour EASY. We just went witrh the flow for a couple of months and did something like EASAESAE until they were able to stay awake for 2 hours. It does work, just watch you don't feed to sleep when E comes right before S!

HTH!

Laura

[*Kara*]

I had the same experience as Laura... I did many a top up feed before a nap.

That said, even 4 ozs is a small feed for 11 weeks.. any chance there are reflux type symptoms??

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=654.0

[~Alexa~]

Thanks for your replies.  I have been feeding him every 4 hours and having a different kind of EASY, and it's working fine!!  . He's drinking 4 oz.

About the reflux, he's taking his meds and he's gaining weight so I think he's just not such a big eater 

[Lolly]

If you are happy the reflux is under control and he's gaining weight ok then he is probably taking what he needs. If you aren't already doing it, a reflux formula or thickening feeds can really help refluxers take more milk. As the meds don't stop the reflux action, having a thickened feed helps keep it down and they feel better for it, even silent refluxers.

Have you tried a faster teat too? It's worth a try if you haven't changed it already!

Laura

[~Alexa~]

Thanks Laura! We switched to a more thickened formula and he is drinking between 4 - 5 oz, so he is doing so much better! The problem that we are having now (and I need your help pleeeaaase) is that he is waking at 3 - 4 am he takes a full feed (4 oz) and then at 8 am (when we start our EASY/day) he doesn't want to eat.    I don't know what to do! But this messes our EASY because then he is hungry earlier and wakes up from his morning nap!


Should I reduce the amount of formula he drinks at 3 am so that he is more hungry in the morning? What do you think?

Thanks for your advice! Btw, he is 14 weeks old, and he drinks a DF at 10.30 pm

[*Kara*]

So great to hear Alexa!!!  Wonderful that he is taking so much more!

The 3-4am feed and morning feed issue can be tackled two ways:

Full feed at 3/4am with a top up when you get up to keep on track or,

The preferred method -

Reduce what you offer at the NF to 3 ozs and see if this gets him to take a feed at wake up.  You will be eventually eliminating the NF, so you can start to reduce it now to encourage him to drop it on his own   If the 3 ozs still results in a refusal, try 2 ozs for a few nights.