Help needed

[Hirani123]

Hi my baby is 3 months (was born premature at 29 weeks) so technically only 3 weeks old. He has been feeding well hospital has told us to give 60ml of nutriprem 2 formula every 3/4 hours, on gaviscon too sometime he takes more or sometimes it’s only 30mls. His pee is a very light yellow only sometimes. I’m worried he is dehydrated or has jaundice (no other indications of it appear normal colour) he is sleepy more and does wake up every three hours does cry for it but only has a little amount of it, also a bit gassy, has a cough every now and then not sure if it’s related to acid reflux and does make loads of grunting sounds in his sleep

Hi, looking after a premature baby is a very anxious time. You may get posts from a professional with expert knowledge. We’ve had several very premature babies in my family including my DD and 2 grandsons so I have practical experience but I’m not medically trained.

Have you been visited by a midwife/health visitor? They’d be my first call for additional advice. Has he been weighed and is he putting on weight? Gaining weight is obviously an important factor.

From what you write, your baby isn’t jaundiced or dehydrated. However, he might need help digesting the milk or need to be changed to a different formula. The grunts suggest he’s experiencing a little digestive discomfort but this is fairly normal in all babies.

Premature babies are often sleepy and need to be woken to feed. You might have been given advice to stroke his cheek or undress him to wake him up so that he feeds well.

Phone your health practice this afternoon or Monday to get advice. If he’s still worrying you over the weekend phone the non-emergency number and speak to someone there. As long as he’s taking a good amount of milk and has regular wet nappies he should be okay for the next couple of days but get advice after that.

Things get a lot easier over time but I understand your anxiety. Ask for as much advice and support as you need.

@Honeysuckle16 thank you, he has a sunken frontanelle so i think it’s related to dehydration when giving him the milk he seems to gag , GP is not helpful just no one is available.health visitor lines closed currently waiting for 111 call from the doctor.