6.5 month old barely drinking during the day

[Gangle]

I'm going back to work in 3 weeks when DS will be around 7.5 months. To ease him into it, I've left him with the nanny a few mornings whilst I've gone into work for keeping in touch days. During the time I've been gone (8.30 until 2.30), he has only drunk about 4 oz of EBM and eaten a small amount of solids. He had a feed before I left, around 7/7.30 and one as soon as I got back at 2.30 where he seemed hungry but not starving (he never turns down the breast anyway!) He's not mad on the bottle - has only taken it a few times with EBM - and refuses formula outright (have tried 2 different brands). Just really worried that he's not drinking enough during the day and will get dehydrated. I noticed when breastfeeding that he is also isn't that hungry most of the day and this was before I introduced solids a few weeks ago. He does wake up several times a night for a feed - could this be why he isn't that hungry during the day? He's 50th centile, gaining weight and looks the picture of health - enormous chops (cheeks I mean) and big chubby thighs!

He's probably not hungry because of the feeds at night. Will he drink some water. If you are willing to continue with the night feeds, then don't worry about his day feeds as he will make up for it when you get home.

If you cut back on the night feeds, he will start taking more during the day.

Not willing Pudding but forced to comply otherwise he shrieks the house down! So funny, I call DS pudding! He does take a teeny bit of water during the day but not enough to hydrate him,

Hi, my DS won't take a bottle either and at first was v upset when reunited with me and only wanted to feed it was v sad. I don't think he was actually dehydrated but was certainly very thirsty. Like your LO he has always liked to feed at night, but he is so active during the day that he really needs to be drinking something, I think.

It turned out that he is much happier drinking EBM from a cup, I think because it's more under his control than a bottle would be. We tried a few cups and found one he will drink from. He drinks about 9oz over the day = not loads, but now when I come to collect him he isn't very thirsty, just wants to bf for comfort.

He also takes water from a cup when he's at home, but at nursery I prefer him to take his fluids as EBM so that he gets all the antibodies to stop him coming down with the lurgy!

You can also make sure he gets lots of water in his solids. eg if BLW (this is what we are doing) steamed courgette, pear, or raw cucumber for him to suck. purees can be made quite watery if you are going down that route.

If desperate or he's not really eating, you could maybe try home-made "ice lollies" for him to suck (either of water or EBM).

Good luck.

I call dd and DH pudding!

You could (if you can bear some upset) try and cut back on some night feeding.

I am sure though that I have read on here that he will make up for it when you get home (more night feeding for you ()

Would he take water if you put a tiny bit of juice in it? No idea really, just guessing. About to start dd on solids and dread to think what she will get up to, especially if I am not there.