How to increase milk/food intake during the day

[Thecaravan]

DD2 is 6.5 months and was EBF for first 5 months. For the last month she has been mix fed, with formula/expressed breastmilk during the day and breastfed at night. Her night sleep is getting worse, with frequent wake ups every 1-2 hours. She can put herself back to sleep within 5 mins or so for a couple of these but the rest I end up feeding her as its quicker and I'm exhausted. During the day she drinks only about 18-20oz and is a little and often feeder. I thought increasing formula and introducing solids might help the sleep but sadly it has had no effect as she still takes no more than 2 or 3oz of milk at a time. Her weight gain has been slow and she has only just this week doubled her birth weight. Anyone have any ideas for increasing the amount she takes during the day to help with nights? I have tried dream feeding her but it makes no difference. Am back at work full time and am exhausted. I know it won't last forever but it's tough going at the moment. Any tips gratefully recieved!

Firstly, it's not unusual for a BF baby to take only 2 or 3 ounces at a time. As BM changes over time to suit the baby, they simply don't have to drink the quantities that ff babies do. Now she's combi fed, she may increase the amount she's taking, but she may not.

When you say her weight gain has been slow, is she following her centiles? Is she bright and alert at times and meeting her milestones?

Did you know that there is a sleep regression at this age too?

That's not to say that you can't do anything about it though. Try to make sure she gets lots of cuddles from you, skin to skin at times if you can manage it and have you read the No Cry Sleep Solution too?

Hi @JiltedJohnsJulie thanks for your reply. I havent read the no cry sleep solution so will have a look at it.

She is meeting her milestones and I am not concerned about her weight even though she has dropped down the percentiles. She was born at 7lbs 4oz at 37 weeks so would have been well above the 50th percentile. She is now 14lb 8oz this week so I think that is the 15th. Drs have not raised any concerns though and she seems healthy, just the opposite to DD1 who was born the same weight but went up to the 80th-90th percentile and has stayed there ever since!

Sleep regression makes sense. Am hoping it's not too long lived. Just struggling at the moment with the exhaustion even though I know the middle of the night snuggles wont last forever!

If she’s meeting her milestones and is gaining weight and is bright and alert at times, they usually say the baby is ok%. I’m just wondering though given the slowish weight gain if she’s ever been properly assessed for Tongue Tie?

Dr Sears has some good tips on sleep here and once you get to 12 months, you can start Night Weaning, if you want to

This guide from the Caroline Walker Trust might be useful too OP. At 6 months you’ll probably need from about page 13.

The section on 7 to 9 months should give you an idea of what to aim towards and even gives sample menus, portion sizes and recipes