Going off Milk?

[zenith]

Hi, my son is 17wks old. He was drinking about 1000mls-1200mls(30mls=1oz) a day (6 times) from 14wk. But his appetitie has reduced for the last 4 days. his daily intake is about 800mls and he sometimes only takes 40mls(less than 2 oz) within 4hours. I am wondering if it is a sign for weaning.. does anyone have any suggestions/advice? cheers!

Hi Zenith
Does he need to move up to the next sized teat? If he's still drinking out of a number 2 teat, he might need to move up to a number 3. This happened to me when my dd needed to go from no 2 to no 3, and again moving up to no 4. I think she was about 12/13 weeks on the first occasion. In my experience, a sign for weaning is that your ds would want more milk/food not less I think they just get frustrated with not being able to get as much milk as they want in one go so seem to give up until you sort the teat out!
HTH

I agree with lalaa about trying a different teat. Regarding weaning, I was advised that one (of many) indicators for being ready for solids was draining an 8oz bottle at every feed (or both breasts) and crying for more immediately.

It could be the hot weather (depending where you live of course ). The heat can really play havoc with babies' appetites.

Hi, Bobsmum and Lalaa, thank you for all the good advice as well as the firm note that he should be drinking more to move on to weaning. The teats he is using is size 3 already since 14wk. I tried using a bigger teat but he screamed when he choked and immediately stopped drinking.
I have noticed he started perspiring two weeks ago when the weather was hot but now, he is kept cool all the while and yet still not drinking. He gets angry if I try to feed him even when he seems to cry in hunger and for these two days, it has gotten worse. He rather goes to sleep than drink. I brought him to see my GP but she is useless. She claimed that babies know how to strike a weight balance which sounds ludicrous to me! I have ruled out oral thrush but can't think of any other reason why he is not drinking...... Please help if anyone has any ideas! cheers.

Hi Zenith
Bit of a conundrum this one. My dd did go off her milk a bit in very hot weather - I tried giving it to her colder rather than warm. That helped a bit. Also, what about changing the formula you're using? Is the teat getting clogged up? (a bit of a long shot!). If none of these work, can you try to see another doctor or sympathetic health visitor? I totally understand your concerns - maybe it's time to get stroppy with the medical professionals!
If he starts sleeping much more than usual and you find it difficult to keep him awake to feed, that's the time to get very stroppy indeed and fast.
Sorry can't be of any more help, but hopefully someone else will see this and have some more ideas.....

dear lalaa, really appreciate your advice! I have now found out that he is suffering from tonsillitis (at the cost of £150 consultation with a private paediatrican)! The cost hurts but at least, my dh does not mind as he rather not sees my constant crying due to worries over my ds! Now, my ds is on the mend after taking his course of antibiotics . Many thanks for your support! zenith,xxx

hi zenith
bloody doctors!!! brilliant news that you've sorted it out. I have a theory with our doctor now - I go to see him once with a problem and, despite all efforts to the contrary, often get fobbed off with home remedy or cheaper drugs. I then leave it a couple of days and when it doesn't work, go back. It's SUCH a pain, and particularly irritating when I'm feeling bad (or worse, dd is), but I just live with it now as it's the only way to get anything done. It strikes me as a monumental waste of resources - if I was treated appropriately in the first place, I wouldn't have to take up time for the second appointment, and the NHS would save money - wouldn't need two prescriptions!

Ooh sorry. One of my soapbox issues - rant over.
Delighted you've sorted it out. Hope your little one gets better soon.