Help getting desperate- little monster not feeding well at all (formula)

[Mummywannabe]

My little monkey has always fed very well but over last few weeks has been really off milk. Will have about 3 ounces and then lose interest, not hungry in day and seems happy in self. Tried different bottles/teats/person feeding/times/and even formula but no success

He is 4 months old. I'm lucky if he has 20 ounces a day. I'm so worried he is not getting enough. So far weight gain been ok but surely this is not enough?

How often do you feed?

He used to feed 4 hourly (by his own demand) tried making it more often, less often but still same response. Very odd! Thanks for quick reply

I would suggest you wait until he is screaming for the feed, but try not to leave it longer than 4. I think if he is still gaining weight then you really shouldn't worry. I think they go through phases of being hungry - he'll soon change his mind - kids are so fickle.

My DD2 was like this (although she was drinking even less milk - she was down to about 15oz a day at 4 months) and wasn't gaining weight very well. She does have various health issues though. All I can tell you is that we started solids at this point (by which I mean a few spoons of baby-rice, then gradually fruit/veg purees), on the recommendation of the paediatric dietitian - it seemed to give her more energy for her bottle, and her milk intake improved as a result.

But if you're a MN regular you'll know that introducing solids pre-6 months is very much not the done thing. Some babies do benefit from it though.

Thanks all.

Wispa - had similar thought. Will see what he weighs tomorrow and think on it.

Spoo - he just don't seem to scream for it at all at minute. Used to but not any more

Guess i'll just have to ride it out.

Many thanks again

If he's still gaining weight I wouldn't worry. He'll probably be on a growth spurt in a few weeks and you'll be wishing he was still not hungry! If he's happy and well, trust yourself and him.

Wispabarsareback, on the recommendation of a paediatric dietician you weaned early. Not because a MN suggested it. The OP says her baby is still gaining weight and happy.

My sweetling suddenly became a reluctant feeder at 2.5 months. It can be very worrying and stressful so I really do feel for you. Our worst was 9 hours with only 40mls of expressed milk. I was advised by a paediatrician (and a paed dietitian) to introduce solids at around 4 months. I wasn't keen but then he stopped gaining weight so I gave in and introduced ice-cube sized portions of what I call "booby-trapped" veg and fruit as I squirt them liberally with his milk. This has worked quite well - he loves the purees - and I very slowly upped the portions so he's now taking 3 cubes a day at 5.5 months.

My main concern with giving solids to a reluctant feeder is that they should supplement and not replace the milk feeds. I don't want to stuff him up with purees and make him even less inclined to take in the more nutritious milk. That said, sometimes it seems he's more keen to take in milk when he's had more solids - he's very unpredictable.

That's what happened with my DD SweetBasil - once she started having a small amount of baby-rice or puree, she seemed to have more energy to suck her milk, and she started gaining weight again. My DD was born with a heart defect though, which made feeding very difficult, as she had so little energy.

Hi Mummywannabe,

This is the same as my DD at the mo. (15 weeks)
I know its been worrying you as we spoke about it on the postnatal thread.

My DD only takes 5ozs per feed day on a good day. Usually between 2-4ozs before losing interest and fussing/playing with the bottle.
I too am concerned about her getting enough.

I spoke to my HV today at weigh-in and she has dropped a centile line to the 25th but has steadily following that curve so say she fine on weight issues.
HV said that babys can be funny like that and may only need 2ozs per feed that week then the following week take 5ozs per feed.- Funny little things.
She suggested using the next size teat( which will be number 3 for us!) So will see if that helps.

prob not much help, Just to say... your not alone!