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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

First time mum - help with bottle feeding

9 replies

bedhead1 · 05/01/2006 08:28

For the past three days my 9 week old boy has started gagging on the bottle after 2.5 or 3ozs and bringing up any extra he is fed. This wouldn't usually worry me as he has 8 bottles a day and takes between 3,4 and 5 ozs. The last two nights he has only woken for one feed which means that he is only having 7 bottles a day and taking less than 2ozs during the night.He is due to be weighed today but must be about 11lbs now. He seems happy in himself although his nose is full of dry snot! He seems happier to try and get his hands in his mouth than take the bottle. Does this sound like a phase or something I need to worry about/ Health Visitor was worse than useless last time I asked her a question.

OP posts:
Laura032004 · 05/01/2006 13:42

Don't know the answer, but bumping up for you

WigWamBam · 05/01/2006 13:52

If his nose is snotty, maybe he's struggling to breathe as he feeds, so isn't able to take much at a time? Can you try and clear his nose with a bit of saline solution from the chemist and see whether that improves things?

expatinscotland · 05/01/2006 13:53

Superdrug sells a saline solution that's safe for babies under 3 months. It's called 'Little Noses'. He won't like it, but it may bring him some relief.

Seona1973 · 05/01/2006 13:54

he may have been going through a growth spurt and now his feeding is settling back down to more 'normal' levels. I never realised dd was going through growth spurts until they were over and she stopped taking the amount she used to!! It was worrying but quite normal.

If he is happy in himself and still taking some milk (even if its not quite as much as he was having!) then I am sure he is fine.

p.s. just an afterthought - how often are you feeding him? Maybe he would be hungrier and take more if you extend the time between feeds a little.

matnanplus · 05/01/2006 21:53

As a guide he should take 2-3oz per lb in weight so if 11lb then 22-33ozs in 24hrs as a guide.

If he is stuffed up then his feeding will be affected but he should pick up again soon.

Mercy · 05/01/2006 22:03

They do start to slow down eventually, as Seona says, he may now prefer having a slightly bigger feed but with longer intervals.

What size teat are you using?

Original poster
bedhead1 · 06/01/2006 10:21

Thanks for the replies. He eats every 3 hours in the day, I don't think he is ready for every 4 as he can't stay awake longer than an hour and a quarter. He woke this morning about three hours after he had eaten but as he was crying and yawning I thought perhaps he was just tired rather than hungry so rocked him back to sleep for an hour. When he woke he took 4 and a half ozs which is a miracle for the first bottle of the day. Teats are Dr Browns medium flow. wonder whether he needs more sleep in the day as his naps tend to be 30 or 40 min power naps from which he wakes bright and alert but half an hour of playing later he wants another very short nap before his bottle.

OP posts:
biglips · 06/01/2006 10:32

my dd used to gag on nearly every feed (she was having 4oz) till i learnt that every 2oz i winded her before i gave her the rest of the 2oz.. and did it the same when she started to take 5 and 6oz, just winded her on every 2oz as newborns cant breathe whilst drinking till they are 3 mths old

Holymoly321 · 06/01/2006 20:56

My DS went through a phase at about the same age as your LO when his formula intake dropped dramatically. I too was really worried but he went back to normal after a few days. His weight was good so I didn't worry about it. He's now 3 and a half months and weighs 16lbs so he must be doing alright! HTH

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