Feedings in a 24 Hour Period

I had the same problem when my son was that age and when i spoke with the dr. she told me that by that age they know when they are hungry or not and that it was very normal for there feeding habits to change at this point.i was actually told not to force it on him because then you get into the problems of overfeeding. my son is 8 1/2 months now and even though his feeding habits include eating a lot less he is still quite chubby and very healthy. he for months now lets me know when he's hungry. hope this helps relieve you a little.

When my daughter was 5-6 months old she was having a 6AM, 9AM, Noon, 3PM and 6PM bottle (6 oz). She was also eating rice cereal, and a few other baby foods. By 7 months we were down to only 4 bottles. My daughter hasn't had a night bottle since she was 7 months old.

They go through cycles all the time. If your baby isn't about to grow he doesn't need a lot of food. Then he'll go through a growth spurt, and it will seem he can't get enough food! You'll get used to his cycles.

My son is 5 1/2 months old right now and does the same thing. My nephew also did it around this time. My sister in law said that it turned out that our nephew was teething. That's what I think it is. I also read in "What to Expect the First Year" that some babies don't eat as much while they are teething.

I have three, ages three and under and they all went through spurts of that. I have noticed that it is either teething in which their stomachs didn't feel great, a cold or flu, or a slow-down in growth for a spell. With mine, their appitites have returned full-stength on their own once a growth spurt kicks in or they get over the former two. Good luck!

Hi N., my daughter is just over five mos old and I noticed her appetite decreased a few weeks ago, too. She was eating six-oz bottles every three hours, for a total of six per day, and sometimes seven if she woke up at night (and she's in the 90th percentile for height & weight). She's cut that down to four or five bottles during the day, and sometimes one at night. A week or two after that change her nap patterns started to change, as well. She is having fewer, longer naps during the day now. The doctor said she's still getting plenty of food, even though she hasn't really taken to solids yet. He says let her appetite be my guide to how much food she needs. Babies have appetites that can change according to their needs, and can be high one day and low the next. It's nothing to worry about, but if you're concerned you should call your pediatrician. They're there to offer advice on these sorts of situations and set your mind at ease! I've noticed her appetite starting to increase again in the past few days--I'm just trying to go with her flow! Good luck!

Hi N., your baby is probably just eating as much as his body requires. Babies will eat more on days when they are having growth spurts and not so much on other days. I have a 4 year old son and he's always been that way, there's days when he will hardly touch any food and others when I think he is overeating! But I read that as long as your child is generally healthy then you have nothing to worry about.

Good luck!

He is telling you that he is not that hungry. He is probably not growing as much as he was as a newborn and he does not need as much. When he hits 6 months, he will probably have a growth spurt and need more again. I would recommend not forcing him. That leads to overeating. Just relax and follow his cues.

I am a mom of 4 children ages, 14, 10 7 and 4.

If he is not losing weight and not fussy or cranky when not eating, I would say he is fine. His growing might have slowed down abit...but of course that wont last long...ahahahha:)

My daughter tends to do that right before she's sick or if she's teething (she's almost 7 months old.)
Also now that she's started eating solids, she takes her bottle much less as well - I don't know if you've started that yet or not, but that will for sure change their need for a bottle.
I wouldn't worry about it too much unless he's dangerously skinny.

my doctor always told me infants will eat when they are hungry and not to be concerned when eating habits change.

As babies mature, they can go longer between feedings & that's probably what your baby is doing. All perfectly normal. He knows when he's hungry so go by his signs as far as feeding him. Good luck!

Yes it is normal 7oz bottle every 3 hours is a lot of formula. You don't say if he is sleeping through the night. I am going to assume no. At 5 months try rice cereal at dinner time(in a bowl). You can keep his night bottle 8 oz,6oz is more normal. If he weighs over 13lbs he should be going all night without a bottle. Getting him to sleep through the night between 5 and 6 months is key to a happy life for both of you. Babies know when they are hungry feeding him because you think its time will change his iner clock and the bottle becomes a pacifier.
Relax and good luck!

This is normal. The great things about babies is that they let you know if they are hungry or not. You shouldn't try to force feed him. By playing with the bottle, he is letting you know that he is full or not interested in eating. As long your pediatrician says he is healthy then you are doing great! Enjoy the 4 or 5 hours you have...especially if it is during the night!

Totally normal. My daughter (6 mo) just voluntarily gave up one of her evening feedings. His growth is probably just slowing a little, which is also very normal.

If he continues to eat less and less or if he starts to loose weight I would call your doc, but other wise he's probably fine.

I don't know how normal that is, but I too have a 5 month old. She is eating 6 ounces every 3 hours with cereal at night. A total of 5 bottles a day. Maybe this will help.

Hi N.,

Sounds normal, whatever normal is! My son was doing the exact same you describe and was fine. In fact, he graduates high school with honors next year. If he's hungry, he will eat. Enjoy the extended time between feedings, which means longer sleeping!