Need advice quick please

[dizzy]

My LO has recently started drinking less in the day and now it seems he has swapped his days for nights in terms of drinking and I am not sure what to do about it. He is nearly 17 weeks but 4 weeks prem. He was drinking about 160 ml on a feed but now 7.00 am 100 ml but only because I kept trying for hr and a half on and off. 11.30 am 60 ml, 3.30 pm 60 ml, 7.00 pm 200 ml, DF 180 ml 3.00 am (Was drinking 180 ml as well but reducing this one so now 120 ml but getting upset as wants more) How can I change this round? Need to do something drastic I think but which do I reduce?
I am seeing a HV tomorrow but not mine as she is away, tried to get a dr appointment but none until next week!!

[snowbird]

Hope you've had some luck with sorting this, especially after talking to the HV.  Not sure I have an answer.  Could you try cutting each NF down gradually so that he the picks it up in the day as he is hungrier? So 150ml DF, 150ml 3am feed and then take 30ml off each one after a few days or earlier if he is handling it well?

Snowbird xx

[dizzy]

HV was some help, weighed him and that is fine and got Dr to give me more infant gavi and a peadiatrician appointment which is for a few weeks time.
I have been more brutal than your example and cut 3.00 am feed to 90 ml but haven't cut others. It did work a bit yesterday and he drank 140 ml twice but today back to where we were with him crying and turning face away and fighting me and only just started feed and on 7.30 am feed only drank 100 ml. He woke more and earlier in the night last night even though had drank more and was very awake for 3.00 am feed but did go back to sleep in the end. He drank less on his DF as had drunk more in afternoon. No idea what to do with him.

[dizzy]

HV called to check on him and suggested that if no better tomorrow I take him to the hospital as someone will have to see me. Our drs if full till next week and one of them (Only 2) has no idea about children and babies in particular) not sure what I should do? Has drunk 120 ml on betime feed.

[Lolly]

I rang the paed when DS was first referred to him - I bugged them and got an earlier appointment. I did it with DD too, I think the receptionist knew me by then . Ring and ask about cancellations - they may be able to squeeze you in sooner, especially if you play the upset and worried mummy card. Tell them the HV has told you to take him to the hospital too.

I would do what the HV said though - take him in.

Laura

[dizzy]

Well, took him to hospital after yet another feed of only an 30 ml. I am not sure if I wish I hadn't or not at the moment. A lot of it has been horrible and I nearly walked out with LO twice. The made such a mess of trying to take blood for tests it was awful, he screamed much more than he has ever, even more than when he was born. Blood tests came back all clear!! They tested urine and stool but results not back yet. They think he has had a gastric illness and I have to keep bringing up the silent reflux thing that I think it might be. How do they test for that? We have been allowed home for the weekend and hae to go back Monday. He has drunk more today but have 1 feed each day that he just will not drink at all. The hospital said if he drinks 140 ml each time will be great. That will be 5 lots of 140 ml and a 60 ml night feed I am trying to get rid of. Will that be enough if he does this?

[dizzy]

Over the weekend he has drunk quite a lot but still has one feed during the day when he just drinks 1 ounce for some reason. Averaged 120 ml each time and more on night feeds. I am still cutting 3.00 am feed but is very hungry and am down to 80 ml but not sure he will accept it if I drop any more. Is it normal to be 18 weeks and still wake for a feed in the night?

[Lolly]

It is totally normal for 1 night feed after the DF at 18 weeks, many babies don't drop the NF until solids ar established. That's good he's taking more, maybe it's worth giving him a full feed in the night and not worrying so much about the 1 day feed he takes less until you see the Dr again on Monday?

Laura

[snowbird]

I was lucky and didn't need to do a feed in the night as well as the df but am sure Tracy says it's normal.

Is he gradually increasing his daytime intake as you cut the 3am feed? It might take a few days for him to do this.

Not sure I'd worry if he is getting a good intake overall even of 1 feed is only an oz and if he is putting on enough weight.

How often are you feeding? Xx

[dizzy]

I agree, am not worrying so much now as the hospital said he wasn't dehydrated and he was drinking less than he is now. We have to go for an ultrasound tomorrow and the results from that and the stool and urine samples. I just don't know how we clear up the reflux thing and want to ask the right questions. I am going to a German hospital as that is where the army send their personnel and so sometimes the lanuage thing can make it hard.

[dizzy]

He has 6 feeds now, one is only an ounce or so, 1 is the one I am cutting in the night and then he is back to drinking 4 which average 120 ml. Yes he has upped the day a bit since I cut the 3.00 am.
I think my biggest problems are that my 1st lo was so not like this, he was a perfect textbook. The other problem is the reflux thing that I am not sure about.

[snowbird]

Sounds like feeds are fine. let us know how you get on at the hospital xx

[dizzy]

Hospital was a nightmare today and waited all day and still didn't get an ultrasound. Have now been told not to come back until given an appointment time. LO is fine except for being tired as not sleeping well for his naps at the hospital. We have a pead appointment on monday, will see what happens then.

[Lolly]

How frustrating {{HUGS}}. Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

Laura