I don't think my 4 month old is eating enough....

5 replies

chocolatequeen · 05/04/2006 09:24

DS2 seems to be eating very little, and I'd like to know how much other 4 month olds are having a day. He's growing normally, sticking resolutely to the 50th centile so I'm not too concerned, but his feeds seem very small. He is feeding 4 times a day, and once in the night, but rarely takes more than 6oz per feed during the day. The night feed is small (3oz) otherwise we find that it puts him off his morning feed.

Today, after going from 11pm to 8am, I could only manage to get him to take 4-5oz. He just pulls away from the bottle and fusses around. I've learnt from experience not to push him to take more as he throws the whole lot up. He's totally happy, all the time, never seems to get hungry for the next feed even 4 hours later. Can this be normal for some babies?

He weighs 6.7kgs, and I'm sure I read that babies should take 2.5oz milk per pound of body weight, so 15lbs (roughly) is about 35oz of formula, and he's on nowhere near that.

Anyone any ideas? Not sure if changing milk/starting solids is the answer, but don't want to start solids yet?

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 05/04/2006 09:26

if he's happy and his weight is fine, I wouldn't worry

me23 · 05/04/2006 09:29

he sounds perfect to me his weight is fine. and he is having 20 plus oz a day. that sounds spot on to me same as my dd at that age, speak to hv if you really worried but sure she will say the same. think as long as they are having 21 oz it is enough. No need for solids yett.

edam · 05/04/2006 09:33

If he makes it clear he doesn't want any more, he's growing fine, and doing plenty of wet and soiled nappies, then I wouldn't worry. That's just how much he needs.

You are right about them sicking it up if you try to overfeed them! Really not worth it.

Original poster

chocolatequeen · 05/04/2006 09:45

Thanks!!

He's sitting here on my lap reading avidly....

OP posts:

Hollyboo · 05/04/2006 10:51

Hi Chocolatequeen, my four month old dd never takes anymore than 5-6oz per feed, four feeds per day and bf in the morning (only for about ten minutes). Very fussy with her bottles but my hv said because her weight was ok not to worry. My friend's dd was the same, she's a year old now and when she started solids she had a great appetite.

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