Weaning question- please help

[yellowbutterfly]

DD was born prematurely at 34.

Actual age of DD now is 19 weeks (4.5 months) with a corrected age of 13 weeks.

She is about 11 lbs.

She has always been a "guts" but over past week or so does not seem satisfied with milk (bottlefed), she is eating her hand after milk and making chewing actions. She easily takes 200ml of milk but still does not seem satisfied. She wants food every 2.5 to 3 hours during the day. Her tummy is so full but she seems unsatisfied.

Should I introduce a tiny bit of food e.g rusk in formula milk to see if it helps?

Should mention DD suffers from reflux (silent) and constipation.

What do you think? help please.

Talk to your HV but don't add anything to bottles.

Hmm, could be reflux-soothing or teething. My DS has reflux too and does this (he's 5 months, born at 36wks). But he's not hungry, I think the chewing is a developmental thing and continuing to suck/chew is helping his soreish throat.

How's her weight? I'd be very much inclined to hold off solids for a good while yet, tbh.

Might be a growth spurt too...

What smackapacka said, especially about food in bottles. Prem babies need tailored advice on weaning and I would consult your paed as well as a HV to be honest. It might be a growth spurt.

I would agress that for a premature baby you need advice from your doctor or health visitor. This is especially true if there are reflux issues. But I do have a few comments.

2-3 hours between feeds is totally normal at this age. All those books which suggest 3-4 mislead IMO.

Chewing her hands is a developmental stage, not a sign of hunger. Same goes for watching you eat, if that happens.

19 weeks is right at the bottom age for weaning for a full term baby (don't know about premature). The normal recommendation is six months, but even early weaning under medical supervision wouldn't normally be before 17 weeks.

Please don't put rusks in her bottle. It's really risky. If you are advised to wean it will be small quantities of baby rice or veg puree. Rusks in bottles can cause choking and all sorts.

I suspect it's most likely that your doctor will advise you to up the formula, but as I don't know much about formula or premmies, I won't dive into that!

Just realised that my post looked really abrupt! Sorry about that. Agree with what everyone has said though. Early weaning is never a good idea without tailored advice.

BTW my full term big son is 17 weeks and never really goes longer than 3 hours between feeds during the day, and never has. My MIL had a go at stretching it out (not sure why - she's a bit old school) but it didn't work. I don't care about the gaps really. It's the overall amount in 24hrs that concerns me more.

BTW my DS is 16lbs and chews his hands constantly, watches us eat, can just about sit up... and we've been bombarded with Cow and Gate stuff about weaning but I will hold out for as long as possible as weaning is a big fat PITA!

Thanks, I kind of knew all that but just needed to be told if you get what i mean.

Just struggling so much with DD, reflux, constipation. It is horrible seeing her look so hungry and in discomfort. Then when she does it its as thought she can't get satisfied.

DH and I are finding it tough. Our families are 4 hours away and DH is out of house for 14hrs a day due to work etc etc etc.

I suppose we will keep struggling until we speak to paeds in 2 weeks. Might see if GP can get us a dietician or something.

Thanks again

p.s- would never have out rusk in bottle, I may be a crap first time mum but not that bad.

xx

my ds is 18 weeks and also only goes about 2 to 2.5 hours in the day between feeds. he too is chewing constantly. i'll be waiting to wean until he can sit up himself and pick the food up himself.

what support do you have around you with dh being away such long hours and your family so far away? have you checked out what's on at your local children's centre? i've just signed up to a ton of stuff including yoga for new mums with a free creche in the room next door! i'd never normally go for something like that but it'll be nice to have an hour to myself while i know ds is just near by if he needs me. and for ds there are all sorts of groups on. great for meeting other mums locally, getting out each day, and generally giving a bit of structure to your day.

You're not a crap first time mum, you're a confused one. You can't have the name though, it's taken !

Do you have any friends locally who could support you. It sounds really tough, especially with your DH working such long days.

The only thing I can really say is that the end is in sight. You've done 19 weeks. Even if you're advised to wait until the full 26 weeks to wean that's only 7 weeks away, and from the babies I know, reflux tends to get dramatically better at that age. Getting to the age and digestive maturity for 'proper' solids can also, anecdotally, coincide with things, er, getting moving in the constipation department. Hang in there!

yes, I thought you meant rusk in a bottle, I see now you mean mixing it with the milk sorry to hear you are struggling

Oh yes - just realised you didn't say you'd put it in a bottle. Sorry.

You're obvioulsy not a crap Mum. You've got alot to cope with. Good luck with paeds.

Thanks again, just the pick up i needed.
Will have positive start to tomorrow and get a HV and ask her about local groups and stuff, dietician etc.

Have no support. People assume (due to my profession) that i know what i'm doing and i don't. Plus none of my friends have babies (one is pregnant though), and i also think that if you have a prem baby who is very sick at first people get a bit frightened of it all so stay away.

We can do this. It is all actually ok, just a bit tough.
DH is wonderful
DD is amazing and a miracle baby.

Thanks guys. you are helping to keep me sane. xx

Do try and find out about local groups. Do you want to say roughly what bit of the country you're in? Some MNers might be nearby and able to suggest groups (no worries if you don't. I know people like to keep their anonymity).

It is soooo tough to do this on your own. I have no family nearby and no friends with children nearby either. I found baby groups a life saver in the early months.

7 weeks and counting!!! thank you. feel much more cheerful now.