Is my 3mth old feeding enough?

TTT · 2003-08-18T19:09:59+00:00

Hi - my dd is 13 weeks old today. What's worrying me at the mo , is that she has 4 breastfeeds a day (approx 7am, 10:30am, 2pm & 6pm) & goes to bed at 7:30- 8pm. We try to wake her at 10:30pm -11pm to feed her but she takes 1-2oz at most! She doesn't wake until 7 the next morning! I'm really worried she's not eating enough. Does any one hv any advice or thots??

3GirlsMum · 18/08/2003 20:21

Hi TTT

Do you have her weighed regularly? Thats the best way of checking if she is getting enough or not. Maybe she is just taking enough at each feed and has got herself into a routine. HTH

misdee · 18/08/2003 20:21

is she gaining weight? how do u know how many oz she is taking if she is breastfed?

Original poster

TTT · 18/08/2003 20:31

misdee - that's exactly what worries me , I DO NOT know how many oz she's taking since she's breasfed.
But her weight seems to be on par with growth chart in red book(when I checked last week . 5.6kg)

3girlsmum - I hv been pretty lax at going to the bby clinic I hv to admit, but will do so more reg'ly now that she;s slipped into this.

My understnding was taht babies hv 5 feeds a day until weaned onto solids?

OP posts:

Original poster

TTT · 18/08/2003 20:32

misdee - that's exactly what worries me , I DO NOT know how many oz she's taking since she's breasfed.
But her weight seems to be on par with growth chart in red book(when I checked last week . 5.6kg)

3girlsmum - I hv been pretty lax at going to the bby clinic I hv to admit, but will do so more reg'ly now that she;s slipped into this.

My understnding was taht babies hv 5 feeds a day until weaned onto solids?

OP posts:

kaz33 · 18/08/2003 20:32

Hi TTT is 11 weeks old and bottlefed - he has slowed down on eating during the day only taking 4-5oz at a feed, the other day he fed at 11.30am and then refused to eat - I had to wake him up at 11pm to feed him and he promptly went straight back to sleep.

I think what I am saying is relax, is DD healthy, happy, active and alert when awake - she sounds like a dream giving you 12 hours sleep a night. You're obviously a natural.

kaz33 · 18/08/2003 20:33

Hi TTT is 11 weeks old and bottlefed - he has slowed down on eating during the day only taking 4-5oz at a feed, the other day he fed at 11.30am and then refused to eat - I had to wake him up at 11pm to feed him and he promptly went straight back to sleep.

I think what I am saying is relax, is DD healthy, happy, active and alert when awake - she sounds like a dream giving you 12 hours sleep a night. You're obviously a natural.

misdee · 18/08/2003 20:40

i wouldnt worry bout the whole 5 feeds a day thing. if u're baby is content, thriving, and gaining weight (go to clinic this week if your worried), producing lots of wet and smelly nappies, then try not to worry too much. my 1st dd was a nightmare with feeds, had to practically force feed her at times, she was so olazy, my 2nd dd was the complete opposite, she was like 'hey u picked me up, must be feeding time'.
how long does she feed for each time?
what was her birth weight/latest weight?

aloha · 18/08/2003 20:42

If your dd is healthy, alert when awake, content, has wet nappies and is gaining weight roughly in line wtih the growth charts then she is fine. In fact she is more than fine - she's fantastic. Lucky you! Please, please don't worry that your dd is sleeping well. You'd have a lot more to worry about if she wasn't. Enjoy your baby.

misdee · 18/08/2003 20:45

wish mine would sleep thro the night......

Original poster

TTT · 18/08/2003 20:50

thanks for the comforting words, will definitely go to babyclinic this week!

ps.misdee - 3.25kg & 5.7kg now

OP posts:

Ghosty · 18/08/2003 21:02

I agree with everyone. If your DD is healthy and content and putting on weight I wouldn't worry about it. She sounds like a dream baby ... Gina Ford would be proud!

FairyMum · 19/08/2003 08:20

Lucky you. I wish my babes had slept that well. Agree with what the others have already said, if your babe is happy and healthy she is fine! I never went to the clinic either.

aloha · 19/08/2003 09:59

I also never went to the babyclinic after the first few weeks. Trust yourself as a mother TTT. If she's gaining weight (which she is), she's fine and you are doing a wonderful job. She clearly guzzles a lot when she's feeding. Don't let anyone worry you, just be glad and happy that you have a wonder-babe!

mears · 19/08/2003 09:59

Don't necessarily feel you must go to the baby clinic - weight is not a good indicator on it's own. Sounds as though things are absolutely fine. If babe is happy, active, peeing/pooing and feeding well then don't worry. My ds did the same, slept all night at 9 weeks and was exclusively breastfed. He didn't feed as often as my others but he was healthy. The problem with the clinic is that the seeds of doubt get planted where there isn't a problem. If it aint broke, don't fix it IYKWIM

mears · 19/08/2003 10:00

Snap Aloha

3GirlsMum · 19/08/2003 11:35

The weight gain per week or fortnight is a good indication that your baby is getting enough at this age. I agree that overall weight isnt as each differ but at least if you know how much your baby is gaining it would hopefully make you feel happier.

JanZ · 19/08/2003 11:38

I would agree with mears - don't worry too much about weight, as they don't always follow the "standard" growth curves (mine didn't!) (they are only averages after all).

Go by your instincts - or if you don't trust them, your observations: is she happy, alert and have plenty of wet nappies? (don't bother about the poos - bf babies often goes days without pooing!) If the answer is yes, then she's doing fine.

My ds was sleeping through from about 6 weeks - we stopped bothering trying to wake him at 10pm (expressed then instead for a while) as he really wasn't interested in the feed. I can't remember how many times he was fed in a day - I didn't even realise there was a "right" number, I just went with what he wanted.

If she's happy, then she's getting enough.

motherinferior · 19/08/2003 12:19

please believe me that if she's sleeping, many less lucky mothers will envy you!!!!

I don't bother with the baby clinic either; been once, and dd2 is apparently fine.

Original poster

TTT · 20/08/2003 10:14

Thanks for all the reassurance ...would you all advice still expressing at 10pm to keep milk supply up or can I do away with it?
I find that when I do express , my breasts are so engorged in the morning...perhaps due to the strength of the breastpump (medela set at the lowest setting!)

OP posts:

aloha · 20/08/2003 10:56

I would guess you could give it up if you want, but better IMO to keep it up and freeze the milk so you have a huge supply down the line for when you want to pop out for a few hours to get your hair cut or even - wow!- go out for the evening