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

Infant feeding

Help with FF 7 week old

15 replies

daisygirlmac · 28/03/2017 21:15

DS is 7 weeks old and is FF. I'm just not sure we've got it quite right and wondered if anyone could advise. He is an incredibly slow feeder and usually takes between 40 minutes to an hour to have roughly 3oz. He has maybe 10-12 feeds in a 24 hour period. Is this normal? I'm thinking he really should be a bit quicker at feeding and taking more each feed with bigger gaps in between.

He's a big baby, 12lb3 when weighed 2 weeks ago and he's putting on weight and lots of wet nappies. He only poos every 3 days or so and it seems to be a struggle but it's soft so presumably he's not constipated.

I suppose I'm asking if there is a way to increase the amount per feed and reduce the number and the length of feeds as it would be nice if we could start working towards getting a bit more sleep! I don't hugely mind night feeds but when it's an hour to give the bottle then 25 mins to wind and settle him it's not brilliant. Any advice gratefully received!

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OohNoDooEy · 28/03/2017 21:16

Have you tried a faster flow teat?

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daisygirlmac · 28/03/2017 21:18

I haven't tried a fast flow because it seemed like he was a bit young? Also I got overwhelmed by choice, are there any you would recommend? He's on Nuk teats at the moment and they don't do a fast flow.

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OohNoDooEy · 28/03/2017 21:24

I used avent and they were numbered 1-5 iirc. I just bought them and tried. If he was happy enough we stuck with it.

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daisygirlmac · 28/03/2017 21:31

Will give it a go! I assume if it's too fast he's going to be coughing and spluttering?

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Lovewatchingrainfall · 28/03/2017 21:35

As others have said try going up a size in tears. If it helps my daughter is 14weeks and will only take a 3oz bottle in one go so we are feeding every two or so hours. Have you tried a different bottle some times these things are trial and error. Or he could just be a slow feeder. Hope you get things sorted soon

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daisygirlmac · 28/03/2017 21:43

I can't really afford to order a load of different bottles, hopefully I won't have to get too many!

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KingBob · 28/03/2017 21:50

Does he have any trouble feeding i.e reflux? I only ask because my DS used to take over an hour to finish a bottle. I'd get half hour break(if that) and then he'd be ready for the next feed. It really was exhausting. I assumed it was because of his reflux but I guess it could be a fairly normal problem and I just put it down to that at the time. He greatly improved at about 12 weeks and would then down his bottle in 10 mins flat. It was such a relief. It will get better. Like they say with most things with babies, give it time.

I'd speak to your HV and see what they say, cos as I say, it could be fairly normal.

Also as pp said, try changing the teat to faster flow or bark flow are good but you need to give it a few days to see if it makes a difference and you're not meant to try a new teat before bed time, so morning is best!

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daisygirlmac · 28/03/2017 22:23

I'm not really sure on the reflux, he is sick a lot but it doesn't seem to bother him? Everything I've read on here seems to say reflux babies are very upset babies and he's generally very chilled (has his moments as I'm sure they all do)

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KingBob · 29/03/2017 11:02

Oh ok, yeah mine would scream and arch his back. You'd definitely know if it was reflux.

Perhaps he just gets full quite quickly? Some babies prefer little and often rather than all in one go.

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dementedpixie · 29/03/2017 11:14

Nuk website says use a medium hole for formula e.g. size 1 medium hole

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daisygirlmac · 29/03/2017 13:32

That's what I'm using at the moment pixie

I think what I find strange is he's no different to how he was feeding when we left hospital, I suppose I expected him to gradually take more per feed. He's had 7 feeds in the last 10 hours, all between 20 and 80 ml

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dementedpixie · 29/03/2017 15:02

You could try the large hole and see if it helps. Those are low amounts per feed

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sphinxster · 29/03/2017 15:09

I'd recommend going up a teat size. It sounds like he's getting tired when feeding so stopping but then getting hungry again quickly. Try to con him with a dummy to extend the time between feeds, even if it's just for 10 minutes.

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daisygirlmac · 29/03/2017 16:54

I can't get to town before Friday for faster teats but we had some silicone teats so I'll try them for the next day or so. Having really looked at him feeding today I think he might have been sucking so hard on the latex teat he was collapsing it inwards.

He's done a couple of better feeds on the silicone teat but isn't latching onto it very well so I'll see how he goes. Why is it so complicated?!

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OohNoDooEy · 29/03/2017 17:51

They're usually ready to move up a side when they fall asleep feeding because it's hard work and then want feeding again really quickly