I desperately need some advice about what to try next with my baby.
He is 8.5 months old now, born at 23 weeks and is now 20 weeks adjusted age. In line with the current guidlines we began weaning at 6 months actual age.
He has never been a great feeder, but with perseverance we have managed to get a decent enough amount into him so that he has consistently gained weight each week.
All was okay until about 6 weeks ago when he stopped gaining weight. In the last month he has only gained 4oz and now weighs just 12lb 13oz.
He had regularly been taking around 16oz a day, plus a little porridge/fruit etc. In an effort to increase his weight I tried upping the solids slightly but this made his milk intake drop and no change in his weight.
HV advised stopping solids for a week, milk intake went back up to 16oz but again no weight gain.
Solids reintroduced after meals, but no weight gain so this week I have tried giving solids before a bottle which has proved disastrous.
Today he had 5.5oz upon waking at 6.45am
Porridge and fruit at 8.15 (about a jars worth in total)
1oz of milk at 10.30
1.30 jar of food and 1oz of milk
3.45 3oz milk
5.15 a yoghurt
bedtime bottle refused completely and he will now sleep through til morning.
So today he has had a total of 9.5oz of milk. Yesterday he had 10oz, and the day before 13oz.
I just don't know what else to do.He saw a pediatrician yesterday who says because he is happy and well he just has a small appetite and may be destined to be small, but can it be healthy to drink so little and not be gaining weight at 20 weeks old?
I have been told it's important for him to carry on with the solids so he learns to chew and eat normally.
The problem is I don't see what else I can change. It seems clear to me that I should give milk first and increase his fluid intake back to 16oz a day, but is that right? He is already on a high calorie formula, Nutriprem 2 so I can't change that.
Any suggestions gratefully recieved. We are at a loss.