Author Topic: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough  (Read 3016 times)

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Offline Melodee

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New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« on: March 14, 2006, 13:30:29 pm »
Hi, im new to EASY and have a similar problem - my lil one is 9 weeks and will only take in 2-3oz at a time. I was advised by the HV that he should be feeding 4-6oz, however he only seems to take 4oz at 3am, im feeding him every 3 hours and am not sure whether i should be feeding him sooner coz it feels like he;s hungry every 2 hours, but either way will only take 2-3oz at any tme and its a real struggle to get him to take 4oz with him gulping down 2oz then crying and choking or refusing to take the rest of the 4oz but will shove his fist in his mouth - is this normal?

His weight seems to be steadily increasing - he's 9lbs at the mo, but surely he should be eating more???

For a little bit he slept for 6 hours straight (we usually put him down bet 8-9pm) but that seems to have dissappeared and he's back to waking up at 12am, 3am and 6am for feeding, we tried a dreamfeed last night but he was awake again at 12:30pm.

Im worried if i feed him every 2 hours that he'll turn into a 'snacker' what can i do??

Eagerly awaiting your comments.......

Offline LŠuren

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2006, 14:23:48 pm »
Welcome to the boards Melodee

First of all, seeing any benefit to the d/feed can take up to a week.  He will take more at night becasue he is more relaxed.

What flow teat are you uising? Is it too fast for him? Is he spitting up the milk after the feed (reflux)? Are you feeding him in a quite room?  What is happening after he take 2-3oz? Have you tried burping after an oz?

Sorry more questions than answers  ::)


Can you post your schedule for us?


P.s - I spilt your post so , you can have one all to yourself  ;D
Lauren x


Offline Melodee

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2006, 17:08:31 pm »
hiya, thanks for the split and response ;D

im using the avent size 2 teat - i dont think its too fast for him, but i do think he has reflux coz more often the not he does spit up mucousy milk.

we tend to feed the LO in a room which often has background noise  :-[  apart from the night feeds when they're obviously quiet.
after he takes his 2-3oz its a bit hit and miss sometimes hes quite happy and content, other times he screams and keeps putting his fist in his mouth, if we try to push him to feed more he then gets agitated during or after a feed, sometimes he'll take it down, sometimes bringing it up straight after.

i havent tried burping him after an oz coz he gulps down the 2oz quite fast - i know it sounds silly but i worry that if i stop him mid-feed that he'll lose interest and wont want to feed anymore??

i don't have a schedule yet coz im still observing him, although his timings are roughly as follows:
E - 3.00
S - 3.30

E - 6.00
S - 6.30
A - 7.30

E - 9:00
A - 9.30
S - 10:00

E - 12.30
A - 13:30
S - 15:30 (sometimes)
A - 16:00

E - 17.30
A - 18:30

E - 20.00
A
S - 21.00

E - 00.00
S - 00.30

Cheers

Offline The Vern

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2006, 19:21:09 pm »
My lo is almost 10 weeks old. We started out using Avent #1 but for the first three weeks, half the bottle content would run down her chin and she would have massive spit ups. Feeding was a real struggle. Then we changed to Gerber Nuk nipples and like magic she started eating more, keeping more in and being much calmer during feeds.  Now there's still the occasional normal spit up after a burp, that's it.  Some people never progress beyond the #1 nipple.  It might be worth it for you to try another nipple or go back to #1 Avent.  Good luck.

Offline Leah's Mom

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2006, 19:33:16 pm »
Melodee - There is also a reflux board, if you want more information on what it is etc.
Christine
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Offline LŠuren

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2006, 19:39:49 pm »
Have you seen your doctor about the possible reflux? As the other suggest it may meam changoing formula or just learning to manage it better  :-\
Lauren x


Offline LŠuren

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2006, 22:08:48 pm »
just also a thought, has it only ever been AVENT bottles you have used?? My friends & I hate them as we feel that it gave our LO bad wind, I used anti-colic bottles when my DS was young and still do sometimes for wind.

I bought Chicco & Boots own brand ones anti-colic bottles (not sure if your from UK?) Mam also do the ulta-vent, however we found there bottles to thick, bulky and leaky especially after being in a bottle warmer - needless to say they were taken back! The bottles are designed so the air flows out the bottom of the bottle and not gulped up again by your LO.

Let me know how you get on.
Lauren x


Offline Melodee

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2006, 13:33:54 pm »
cheers all, i have tried using the boots anti-colic bottles when he was under a month but he kept gagging on them, otherwise all my bottles are Avent, i have also been using #1 teat but still have the same prob, he;ll still only eat 2oz and again will fight and scream thru the rest and/or spit it up.

I'm currently using Cow & Gate Premium, can you suggest which other formula to switch too?

I've just come back from a postnatal group which our local HV heads up she mentioned that it might be thrush but didn't explain further? how does this can effect the feeding?

Offline LŠuren

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2006, 14:06:42 pm »
What about cow & gate omneo comfort?
Not sure about the thrush thing?? Can you call you HV to ask her?
Lauren x


Offline Melodee

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2006, 12:15:39 pm »
She said the Thrush causes irritation in the mouth as he's swallowing whcih could prevent him from taking too much food down. But im sceptical to this being the cause. I have a dr appt on monday......

Offline LŠuren

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2006, 21:04:09 pm »
how did your doc's appt. go?
Lauren x


Offline Melodee

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2006, 11:19:34 am »
Appt went well LO has been diagnosed with reflux and we've been sent home with gaviscone - gonna give that a whirl hopefully LO will be more content.

Thanks for all your support, will let you know how i get on   :)

Offline Melodee

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2006, 15:07:51 pm »
Im back again..... the Gaviscon seems to have worked with the reflux, but his feeding is still the same, LO is now just shy of 12 weeks and weighs 10.4lbs, but his average intake in a day is 16-17oz.

I've tried 4 hours between eat feed but he still takes in 2-3oz. He currently uses #2 Avent teat, I've tried changing the to the faster flow but it was too fast, tried using #1 but he's exactly the same with #1 as he is #2, am really confused how to get him to eat ???

Offline LilysMum

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2006, 07:18:41 am »
My baby has similar behaviours to yours, though the reflux seems to be easing.  In terms of the avent nipples, I purchased the variable flow nipples and star the feed on the smaller nipple to get her going, then slowly twist it around to the middle flow and this seems to work fine.  She definately drinks more this way.   The other trick I also found is to give her the dummy (if you're using one) for a couple of minutes before I give the bottle as this seems to calm her down.   
Good luck!

Offline sazza

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Re: New to EASY - my baby doesn't eat enough
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2006, 07:46:57 am »
another tip i've picked up from these boards that's worked for us is to give lo a break of 5-10 mins and then try again - like appetiser and main course. my lo has reflux as well - gaviscon binds him up so we don't use thickeners, and i find he gets agitated when something's about to come up during a feed, but sometimes he'll even ask for the bottle again if i give him enough of a rest after burping/spilling - other times he's not so keen but will still take it if i offer it.

HTH
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