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3 month old barely drinking milk
Hi all,
I am at my wit's end with the babe. I have tried so many tactics, and I am still not getting any success (it feels like) with Gwen's eating. She did great breastfeeding for the first 2 months (even though she had a cold), going from 8 lbs 3 oz at birth to 13 lbs 1 oz at 2 month appt. I then tried introducing the bottle, and things have gone downhill since then.
Gwen has been at daycare for about 3 weeks now, and goes for about 8-9 hours a day. She averages about 6-8 oz during that time. We have tried numerous bottles and nipples, and I have cut dairy for the last month (poos look MUCH better!). At home, she may eat about 2 oz before she goes to bed, and she sleeps from 7 or 8p- 5 or 6a. She may or may not wake to eat, and usually will fall asleep at the boob when she does and drinks only about 1-3 mins at a time. I tried to wake her (undressed her, tickled her feet, changed her diaper) but then she was awake and didn't want anything to do with eating (daycare and I can only get her to eat if she is sleepy). She may eat 2 oz or so in the morning before going to daycare. I have weighed her at home, and she is 13 lbs 10 oz. So, she has gained about 9 oz in almost a month.
Last Sat, I did get her to take 3 bottles of 4 oz each (woo hoo) and she had about 20 oz that day (the most ever!). Then, Sunday and yesterday she went back to her ways (and seemed super gassy and refluxy). We have her on Prevacid for reflux.
I am not the best at burping her, but am trying to get better. I am worried that when we go back in for her 4 month appt, they will say she is failing to thrive. Anyone else have this happen?
Re: 3 month old barely drinking milk
are you nursing her when you are with her or doing bottles?
my first suggestion would be to nurse a LOT in the evening and on the weekends when you are home. many babies just don't like the bottle, and will drink a little at childcare but 'tank up' when they are with mom.
That is a good point. I originally tried doing that, but introduction of the bottle made her lack interest in eating altogether (and she hardly ever seems hungry). So, the last week or so, I have been doing bottles, just to see how much she is getting, and it is not much. I think I will go back to BFing while she is with me exclusively, even if I can't count the numbers (which SO bugs me!
).
Thanks!
i'd also suggest getting rid of the scale - it'll just make you paranoid! if she's happy and peeing and pooping enough, weighing at her well-baby checks should be fine.
if you keep doing bottles while she's with you, i'd worry that your supply would drop.
All of this!
Failure to thrive encompasses more than just minimal to no weight gain. Your baby is gaining weight, sounds happy, content, sleeping well and I'm assuming hitting developement milestones. I would try not to worry too much unless those things start to change. That said I know how easy it is to obsess over what your child is or isn't eating.
My supply tanked when I went back to work and DD refused the bottle. She went 36 hours without eating anything when I dried up. She finally took the bottle. From 3-7 months (when we started solids) her usual formula intake was 16-24 oz/day. She's 5th percentile and gains 1/2-1 lb/month. However she's always been ahead developmentally, happy, sleeping through the night and very active. My pedi wasn't worried.
We fortified her formula by adding an extra scoop to her bottles and it didn't make a difference in her eating or weight gain. This could be an option for you though that I would discuss with your Pedi.
I hope things get better for you!
Is the reflux tied to a milk intolerance? Have you ever tried cutting dairy out of your diet?
DD was on Prevacid for reflux, but once she was completely cows milk free, the reflux resolved. Check out the book "Colic Solved" by Dr. Vartabedian. There is a whole chapter on the reflux/milk intolerance connection. I found it at the WDM library.
ETA: I just re-read your post that you already cut out dairy. Are you seeing a Pediatric GI? It almost sounds like your LO is on the road to a feeding aversion...the earlier you get help, the better. Sorry you are going through this, reflux/milk intolerance is difficult. Definitely check out that book if you can.