How can I get DS to take more than 2oz at a time???

9 replies

galen · 09/01/2009 18:47

I have recently weaned Ds ( 9 months) from breastfeeding to formula ( you may remeber my threads of a couple of weeks ago!)
My problem now is that he is drinking hardly any milk now. He does have 3 meals a day - and loves his solids now. he drinks water from a non valve cup with his meals, and drinks well. He doesn't however seem to like his bottles. He will always take it initially, and drink about 1 - 2 oz, but then it is a REAL struggle to get him to take any more. He will come back to it after a break of maybe 10 mins and take another 1 oz.... but it took all morning to get him to take 5 OZ yesterday. I have tried giving him milk from the cup he has his water in and he wont take any. Every now and then he will drink down 5 oz all in one go ( like this morning) and I think we've cracked it - but then he goes back to taking 1 - 2 OZ.The only time he drinks cosistently well is his dream feed at about 10pm. He stays pretty much asleep, and drinks around 6oz straight off with no protest!I think he does need the milk cause the days he has more he wakes much less in the night.
I have tried offering the bottles at all sorts of times, in between meals, just before a meal, after a meal etc...
At the moment he tends to have one early feed at 4 - 5 am - usually does OK and has about 4oz, then has breakfast at 6-7am ( cereal made with whole milk. Then bottle at around 10 am - usually a struggle to get him to take more than 3 oz(though wolfed down 5 oz today) then lunch at around 12, offer bottle around 3 - 4 - but never drinks ANY so have dropped this one now. tea at around 5 now. then bottle before bed at around 6.30 - again struggle to get him to have as much as 3 OZ ( I cant keep him up later cause he is really tired by this time!) Dream feed at 10 pm - 5-6oz - normally no prob.
On the days when he hasn't done well on his bottles in the ay he may wake up 1 - 2 more times in the night and drink around 3 - 4oz a time.
So how can I pursuade him to take more of his bottle? I think he is very used to "little and often" as that is how he seemed to Bf - and I just followed his lead. I haven't BF him for 2 weeks now. Will he eventually adjust ? Any tips !
Thanks!

OP posts:

normansmum · 09/01/2009 19:11

I think (far as I can remember) they only need a pint at this stage, usually given over 3 bottles. so morning and night feed are fine. You can use formula over cereal. Plus 3 oz over course of morning should be fine.

Sometimes they dont like the taste so you could try him with different brands of formula. also dont know which formula you use but some are (supposed) to be heavier on stomach than others. Sounds fine otherwise.

Original poster

galen · 10/01/2009 08:53

Thanks Normansmum - don't know though. Yesterday in the end he took only about 7oz all day before bed ( over 2 bottles - 5 in am, 2 before bed) then had dreamfeed at 10 - 5oz, but still woke up hungry 3 hours later. If I get more into him in the day he goes from dreamfeed till 4 or 5 am. I am so exhausted getting up every 3 hours. I have 6 kids and need to be able to function in the day.Why will he only drink his bottles at night.aaaarrrrggghhh

OP posts:

Original poster

galen · 10/01/2009 08:57

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princessmel · 10/01/2009 08:58

Maybe he doesn't want more than 2oz at a time...especially as he is eating 3 meals a day. Wont he let you know if he wants more? , when he wants it.

Original poster

galen · 10/01/2009 08:59

oops sorry double post!

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princessmel · 10/01/2009 09:00

Cos he know's he's getting lovely snuggly feeding time with mummy. Clever boy

The daytime must be too fun for him , and he's full with his meals. Thats my thoughts on it anyway.

Original poster

galen · 10/01/2009 11:21

Well clever boy he may be. But I am an extremely exhausted and stressed out mummy who is struggling to cope and who desperately needs more than 3 hours sleep a night.
I have 6 children to look after - they need me to be a decent mum. My DH works long hours and we have no other family or friends nearby. I was so tired yesterday I was worried about driving to school to pick up kids. I know it is possible for him to take more in the day and sleep more at night - my others managed it - and yes it may be lovely for him to have quiet night time snuggly feeds - but it's not lovely for him to have a mum who cracks up from exhaustion is it?

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princessmel · 10/01/2009 14:52

I understand you feeling so tired, My 2 didnt sleep through till they were both 2. But if he wont drink the milk you cant really do anything else to make him.

tiktok · 10/01/2009 15:00

galen - of course you need to be awake and on the ball....trouble is, it is gonna be easier for you to change some of your life than change how much a baby takes of his milk

Even trying to make him take more is exhausting and stress making.

I don't know what you can do - you're the one who knows your life better. With 6 kids, maybe one guaranteed afternoon off a week when you don't have to collect from school may be a bit of a help. Is there a kind mum you know who would do this for you, just for this term, say, once a week, to give you a break? Or could you pay a sensible teenager to do it?

Often, when you ask people for help, they're willing to do these things...that's my experience, anyway.

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