[Amy2010]

Hi there,

My DD is 12 weeks today and she doesn't really drink a lot....it's not a new thing, she never really has.

We have been on formula now for about 3 weeks and before then she was on EBM. In accordance with the equation of 150 x body weight / feeds she is suppose to be having about 750mls...she is just on 5kgs. She is probably only averaging about 70mls per feed. EVERY feed she stops drinking when she gets to 50mls, I have no idea why....it's like her stomach can only hold that much. After a burp and a play (sometimes 30mins have passed) she might then take a little more. Although then that pushes out the next feed as she isn't hungry.

I just don't know if I am to be worried....I've been getting her weighed and each week she has minimal gains (50 or so grams). I just looked at her chart and she has now dropped to the 25th percentile. I am just worried that she isn't getting all the vitamins etc she needs from only drinking 70 or so mls per feed.

I know she can drink more as sometimes (rarely) she does take 100 or so mls a feed. She is a happy bub (other than when she is in the car!). The CHN thought perhaps reflux although she isn't in pain or showing any signs of reflux...and when she witnessed her having a bottle last week she agreed that it don't appear to e reflux.

Do you think I change formulas? Any ideas on what could be happening? Anyone else experienced this?!?

TIA

[Jenflea]

Look at her tiny fist. That's about the size of her stomach.
Measure out 50 mils and see if it's about teh same size. I bet it is.
Those are GUIDELINES on the tin, as long as she's growing, weeing and pooing she's fine.
If she was fully breast fed you'd have no idea how much she was drinking.

[Amy2010]

Yeah I appreciate their tummy's are only little although I guess I was just wanting to hear of any others in similar situations...as a lot of other LO's I know have no issues drinking more than 50mls. I guess as she is sooo different from my DS I just had to question whether it might be the formula or other things.

[lucky 2]

Has she always had a slower weight gain or just since switching to formula?
If it is since the formula would you consider starting to build supply a bit again, maybe not to where it is but ? some.
Is there any way she could be enticed to take your breast?
What does your CHN think?
Could you give her a ring tomorrow about your concerns and ? a different formula?
It does sound a little less growth than you would like, could you give her extra feeds, ie 10 x 70 mls is 700mls, it's one way to get some more milk into her.
All the best.

[~ky~]

My DD is 10 weeks, over 6kg and also eats very little. I am lucky if she has 600ml over a 24hr period.

She is having plenty of wet nappies, she is gaining weight and obviously growing so I'm not worried. Her poo is like that of a breastfed baby most of the time (quite runny with little "seedy bits" in it) so I guess her body just processes what she is getting from the formula extremely well.

She stops feeding when she has had enough. Most of the time, that is around 70ml.

If our babies were breastfed we wouldn't be so worried about the amount they were eating, just if they weren't gaining/having wet nappies etc. It's one of the downfalls of formula - it causes unnecessary concern if our child is having something other than the prescribed amount.

[premmie_29weeks]

Like PP said if she is putting on weight, is generally happy and making lots of wet nappies and poos she is probably fine. Just not a big eater...

My only suggestion is perhaps try faster flowing teats? I don't know what bottles you are using, but I found my son got bored easily with the bottle at that age and it was a real struggle to get him to drink close to a full bottle for his weight. Faster teats meant I got more into him...just be mindful if you do change to a faster teat you'll need to be a bit more concious of burping time for a while till they get used to the faster flow....

[mnsr621]

DD is 5 months and only drinks 700mls per day, she is on the 75th percentile, ( weighs about 7.5kgs) spoke to doctor who said all babies require different amount, and the tin is a guide only. If she is happy chances are, she just isn't a big eater. I would speak to doctor or child health nurse and just keep an eye on her weight.

[~Supernova~]

My DD never drank much at all. On a good day we'd hit 600ml, on a bad day we'd be resorting to syringes to feed her. She continued to gain weight (albeit slowly) and is now a happy, healthy 7yr old who STILL has to be pushed to drink more than a minimal amount. I stressed out so badly in her first year of life that I ended up with PND. The best advice I have for you is that if you have a happy baby, who is gaining weight and having plenty of wet nappies, then stop stressing. Every baby is different, and guidelines are just that, GUIDES.

My DS on the other hand...I get concerned he drinks too MUCH, at 5 weeks he is hitting 8-900ml a day lol poor babies, they can't win

[Amy2010]

I thought I responded to this post....argh! Thanks for all your replies ladies. I have my days where I think I don't care as I have too many other things to think about and then I have days (like today) where I am slightly stressed about it....she has drunk 110mls ALL DAY!! She doesn't cry and seems happy so who knows what to think?!? I mentioned it to the doctor and she wasn't concerned and said she wouldn't be until she looses weight. I trust that although there is an element in me where I think how can that be good only drinking such a small amount! She is now waking sooooo many times in the night and when I try and feed her she has like 50mls or less, hardly worth waking up for, lol! I have tried different bottles and teats although that hasn't helped.

I'm glad to hear others have had this experience...she just looks so little compared to others around same age (I know I shouldn't compare )

[Amy2010]

My DS on the other hand...I get concerned he drinks too MUCH, at 5 weeks he is hitting 8-900ml a day lol poor babies, they can't win

I know what you mean - my DS was/is exactly the same!! Maybe it's a boy thing!