17 week old appetite dropping

[Ninasoldman]

Hello

We have a 17 week old baby daughter and I was hoping to run some recent changes in her feeding patterns past other parents.

Up til about 10 days / 2 weeks ago, her feeding was incredible easy. She ate every 3-4 hours like clockwork and steadily increased the amount she would take on each time (we're formula feeding as my wife has a medical condition). About 2 weeks ago the amount she was drinking had increased to about 180 ml on average about 5 times per day (7-8am, 11am, 3pm, 6-7pm, 11pm), sometimes with a small top up early in the morning (ie 6am).

She then suddenly decided that she didnt want to have as much and the amount dropped to about 120ml-ish on average. Initially we put it down to her becoming slightly blocked up and sniffly however a few days ago her nose etc cleared and the amount only increased back up to say 130-140ml.

In the last couple days she's also started becoming a lot less regular in when she wants to eat ie taking on 100ml and then wanting another 100ml a couple hours later and then a couple hours later again.

I guess the questions I have are:

• is it possible that the changes in terms of frequency and amount are simply due to her being thrown out of her routine due to her cold?
• is it possible that she's ready to be weaned? Seems v early to us and she's not showing the other signs such as sitting up, putting things in her mouth (though she has started to chew her toys in the last 2 days)

All advice/explanations welcome!
Thanks

Adam

How often she needs feeding depends on how often she gets hungry - and partly depends on the type of activity/growing she's doing. As she becomes more active and using her brain more, her carb needs go up against just growing so she's very likely to become hungry more often. But as she's hungry more often she won't eat as much.

It's completely reasonable behaviour, and is not a sign of weaning readiness. She is also almost certainly to young to be eating because of "routine" as opposed to hunger.

Oooh I'll be watching this with interest as you have completely described what I'm going through with my 18 week DD at the moment.

Usually she feeds like a dream (has been on hungry baby food since 8 weeks as advised by my HV) 6/7 oz every 3 hours but suddenly for the last week feeding has become a battle and consequently she is waking again during the night. She is now taking anything from 1 1/2 oz to 4oz per feed so I'm offering the bottle again an hour later to finish.

I spoke to a HV about this as she had little weight gain this week but she wasn't remotely concerned as long as wet/dirty nappies are still a regular occurance (which they most definitely are!!)

My DD had her last set of jabs last week also and the HV says this could have affected her appetite?!

I was advised just to sit it out really so sorry I don't have any practical advice!

Totally agree with Fred, it is just normal behaviour and she is a baby, and will want the amount of milk she wants at the times she wants. Is there a particular reason that feeding on demand like this is an issue for you or your wife?

Also agree that it is in no way a sign of weaning readiness. Milk is all they need for the first 6 months and between 6 and 12 months food is about exploring taste and texture rather than replacing milk feeds.