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Infant feeding

Bottlefed baby showing massive reduction in amount taken per day - why??

10 replies

Hels67 · 16/05/2007 20:19

My DD aged 20 weeks is bottle-fed with formula and up until 2 weeks ago took about 850-900ml per day. Recently however she is only taking between 700-850ml per day and she has not been unwell. I've not started any weaning yet.
Any ideas on why she might be taking so much less? BTW her weight gain is still good - 7.44kg (16lb 6oz) at the moment.

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loopybear · 16/05/2007 21:51

My DD did that just before she was ready for weaning. I wouldn't worry to much I can't remember how much milk they are supposed to have but if she's happy and thriving and still gainning weight I wouldn't worry to much. Is she drinking water in between. DH pointed out juat we increased the teat flow and DD picked up the milk again. Hope that helps, if you're worried talk to your HV next time you go to clinic.

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Hels67 · 17/05/2007 14:09

Thanks Loopybear for your message , I never thought of the teat size. DD is currently using avent and TT bottles with size 2 teats on each, but maybe I should move her to size 3 at least on the avent bottles.
She is also starting to look at what we are eating, so maybe it is time to start weaning.

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loopybear · 18/05/2007 20:30

I'd try the next size teat if I was you and maybe try some baby rice. I found annabel karmel was great for weaning.

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kreamkrackers · 18/05/2007 22:49

i'm no expert of bottle feeding but i wouldn't have thought she'd drink less to indicate she needed to start weaning.

agree that you should try a different teat. dd2 is bf but i find she comes off a lot when she's destracted with things going on around her, do you think there could be any reason like this why she's not feeding as well because they are getting much more alert at this age?

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loopybear · 19/05/2007 16:58

Someone explained it to me as frustration especially if you've changed to the next stage milk. They suck harder which in turns leads to less coming out if teat is collapsing, which lleads to dropping milk in a feed not a bottle. No idea if that's right but it did the trick for us.

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rabbleraiser · 19/05/2007 17:02

Whatever the outcome, Hels67, 16lb 6oz is a darned good weight for her age and sex!

I would try a different teat, as well.

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thais · 20/05/2007 19:11

My DD is now 9 weeks old and she is bottle fed. She has also reduce the amount of milk she is taking in the last 2 weeks. She used to take 120-130ml every 3 hours but now she is only taking between 60-100ml depending on the feed. Although she is still gaining weight I can't help being worried about the fact that she is not eating as much as she used to. I am using Avent bottles with a number 2 teat and I am not sure about changing to number 3 as she is only 2 months old. I am really confused! What shall I do?

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Hels67 · 21/05/2007 10:38

Thanks for the great suggestions, loopybear and kreamkrackers!
We've tried the Avent teat size 3 and have tried to minimise any distractions while feeding, even varying the feeding position, and we think this has helped as over the weekend she has taken between 850 and 950ml per day.
I don't think is an indication of her wanting to start weaning, either, but we tried a teaspoon of baby rice yesterday lunchtime and although she ate the first teaspoon, she didn't want any more and much preferred the milk!
As you say, rabbleraiser, she is a very good weight for her age, so perhaps the reduction in feeding is a result of this and maybe i didn't need to worry as it was just a phase.
Not sure about your issue, thais, as I'm inexperienced myself. Perhaps one of the PPs could help?
Thanks again

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Eddas · 21/05/2007 10:51

Babies go through growth spurts so maybe they just don't need as much at the moment as they aren't growing, well obviously they are but you know what i mean Also I kept worrying about dd when she wasn't eating, this was food though not milk, asked hv and she said not to worry as they will not starve themselves. It's worrying when they don't eat, either milk or food, but i suppose they are like us, if they're a little unwell or something they must go off their food.

Also, it could be teething. DD always went off food when teething

I wouldn't worry too much as long as they're putting on weight. I know it's hard not to worry