Need to increase oz taken?

[Bex09]

DS had his 6 week check up today and is doing great. However although he is gaining weight (11lb 11oz already!) he has moved from the middle of 75th centile to near the bottom of it. The doctor wasn't worried but she said that he isn't really taking enough milk for his weight. She suggested that I increase the amount of each feed but let him go 4 hours between feeds.

So ATM DS takes 3-4 oz every 3 hours, this hasn't really increased since about 2 weeks old. Then at night he goes anything from 3-5 hours between feeds. So in 24 hrs he is taking about 25 oz. I do tend to have to wake DS at the 3 hr mark to feed him and get the oz in him during the day. On occasion when he has gone 3.5 hrs or longer he drains a 4oz bottle then. But he seems so young to be on a 4 hr EASY. Any thoughts would be great thanks.

[Haribo2012]

Hi, personally I'd say if LO is happy not draining bottles I'd just leave things as they are for now as they do fluctuate in weight a bit or push to a 3.5 hour easy if you wanted to try a little tweak!
x

[Lolly]

If you are still on the first teat I would try the next size and see how he does with that. If he isn't taking more it could be because the teat is a bit too slow for him.

Laura

[jessmum46]

Plenty of milk for his weight!  By my reckoning about 130mls/kg which for a 6 week old who is gaining weight is fine.  Middle of 75th centile to bottom of 75th centile is not at all significant, it's within natural fluctuation so if he's happy and you're happy, just do what you're doing!

(But agree with Laura's suggestion -posted same time)

[Bex09]

Thanks ladies I wasn't at all worried and thought he was doing well until the doctor said that! Good point about the teat Laura thanks I will try that. Funnily enough my Mum said that today when she was feeding him. She said she wondered if he was sucking too hard and getting frustrated. I tried variflow and he kept choking on the milk, coughing and spluttering everywhere! But will give no 2 teats a whirl. Thanks .

[Lolly]

It can take a few feeds to get used to a new flow  - keep him a bit more upright if you can which should help!

Laura

[Bex09]

Thanks hun. 

[Bex09]

Just wanted to update for anyone reading this and to say thanks for the great advice. We started using the no 2 teats and DS is now taking 5oz for most feeds and has totally stopped fussing when he feeds. He is so calm now when he drinks and no wriggling or squirming at all. It has worked a treat so thank you.

[Haribo2012]

Lovely update :-)

[jessmum46]