16wo DS not eating much

[Spuddybean]

My ds is a bouncy happy chap, alert and chattering away, but he has never been bothered about food. He will eat the bare minimum to keep him going. About 3oz every 3 hours. He was 14lb8oz at last weigh 4 weeks ago. He seems healthy but just doesn't seem to eat or sleep much. He just jumps in his jumperoo! He hardly cries. He has never cried for food. He just likes standing up and jumping about.

He has now almost stopped having the bottle/ff completely and takes about 3-6 oz per day and has bf about 4 times in the day and 3 times at night. But i only bf from one side and only 3-4 oz comes out at a time.

Does anyone know if this is enough to keep him going and growing?

[kittyandthegoldenfontanelles]

Hi spuddy and congratulations!

It is impossible to know what comes out really because a baby is far more efficient than a pump or your hand so will be suckling more than you realise. Without consulting my red book I don't know how his weight:age ratio stands up; which centile is he on? Has there been a drop? My health visitor would say that he can't be lacking nourishment if he is that energetic! I would consult your hv or a breastfeeding advisor but more than 6 wet nappies a day and regular poos and an active baby sounds good to me.

[Spuddybean]

he was 9lb at birth. he only poos once every 4 days and has about 4 wet nappies a day.

[kittyandthegoldenfontanelles]

I would talk to your hv or bf nurse. I was always told that less than four a day is an indicator of dehydration. It's only a guide of course because perhaps he holds on then floods four times a day! My daughter can do that sometimes but always has more than four.

Is he mix fed? Breastmilk alone doesn't cause much waste; my daughter used to only go once a week or even up to ten days before I introduced solids. How are his poos? What consistency/colour/smell?

[Spuddybean]

We are trying to mix feed as i can only feed from one side and just don't make enough which means i feed regularly and my boob hasn't replenished enough. He just is refusing the bottle now - for the last 2 weeks he has only taken about 4 proper bottle feeds. the rest we mix up and then have to pour away. I get the impression if there was more boob he'd take it. He was obviously hungry last night and asked to be fed every hour and a half. but i just didn't have enough for him. Eventually at 7am he gave in and took 4oz of formula.

He is teething which is when this all started.

[kittyandthegoldenfontanelles]

Ah teething! Of course. My daughter can refuse all food when teething and revert to just boob so that makes sense in a way. Do you offer water? Have you tried some form of cup? Sips of water off a spoon or cup might help. I would be more concerned about lack of fluids than food if it's a teething blip. Mine goes from 3 square meals a day to boob-only for a few days when teething without any ill effect. I think there's comfort in the booby somehow. But l'm not a health professional; this is just my experience and what I've been told by my hv.

[Spuddybean]

i haven't given water - good idea. I think i will call the HV. I'm new to this and have no friends with older children, so i have no idea what is 'normal'. I thought it would be okay for a few days, but it seems to be going on for a couple of weeks now.

What with reflux and this poor DS just seems to live on fresh air!

Thanks for the advice, i really appreciate it.

[kittyandthegoldenfontanelles]

No problem spuddy . Glad to be a little help.

14 months ago I had no clue either. Now I have a little clue!

Let me know how you get on