I'm offering my 5mo old son 28oz of formula a day. He also gets 2oz water throughout the day and 3oz of a fruit or veggie mixed with baby oatmeal every other day. He also gets Little Tummies before each feeding to help break up the gas. We switched to the medium flow nipples because he was getting mad and not wanting to eat because he was collapsing the nipple. This stopped after we switched nipples, but now he fights to eat his 1pm bottle. (His normal schedule is 7oz at 9am, 1pm, 5pm and 9pm) He usually inhales every other bottle to the point I have to force him to take at least a 5-10min break other than burping. His 1pm bottle though... he squirms all over the place. He'll take a few sips them push it away. So I try to burp him... nothing. I try letting him play then re-offering the bottle... no change. I know he's hungry because he hears me shake the bottle and looks for me. Once he sees me its like I can't get the bottle in his mouth fast enough. I use Playtex Drop-Ins, so by the time we get settled and I get the air out, he's almost crying because he wants the bottle so bad. He will grab it and pull it into his mouth, too. I've tried pushing the 1pm feeding closer to 2pm to see if he's just not hungry enough, but I had the same issue. Its getting to the point where I hate his 1pm feeding because I know its going to be a frustrating experience. I know I need to stay calm because he gets vibes from me, but this is the only issue I've really had with him. I've been blessed with a very even-tempered and adaptable baby, so this is a whole new ballpark for me. Any suggestions Mamas?
Thank you for all the responses. To answer someone's statement... at his 4mo check up he was 14.5lbs and 25.5in. Right where he needs to be. And as for the Mamas that said I need to feed on demand and by his schedule, I am. He's the one that is giving me hunger signs. I, and my daytime caregiver (my mom), don't force him to eat when he his not hungry. It just happens that the times I gave are when I can expect him to want to eat. Its usually somewhere within an hour of that schedule. The schedule works best for both of us because I work and go to school full-time. I spoke to my mom about his difficulty with this and she made a good point... Breakfast, dinner and bedtime bottles he has played for a while, so he is calm when it's time to eat. Lunch bottle though, he is usually just waking up from a nap and wants to play more than eat, even though he is hungry. So we are letting him play for a bit before we feed him to see if that helps any. I don't feel like I need to change bottles or nipples because he doesn't have any issues the rest of the day. As for the solids... he enjoys eating them, leans in toward the spoon and opens his mouth wide. So I know I'm not forcing him to do something he's not ready for. I asked for suggestions, not everyone telling me what I am supposedly doing wrong. Just because waiting til 12mo to give anything more than formula or breastmilk worked for you doesn't mean it works for my son. I give the little tummies because he has a sensitive stomach naturally (me and his father both have intestinal issues, so I was expecting it) I was not able to breastfeed so Little Tummies was the best option to help with the formula. I really don't appreciate people assuming I am doing things wrong or forcing my son into things too early, or into anything at all. All I did was ask for suggestions for a frustrating situation. A suggestion is much different than critisism.
Only 7 oz in 16hours (9pm-1pm) doesn't seem like very much to me for a 5 month old. If I were you I would try feeding the bottle a little earlier (like noon) and see if he takes it then, maybe he is getting past his hunger.
If that doesn't wokr, don't stress he will eat when he is hungry. The more you stress, dread it, get frustrated, etc, the more he will feel that and feed off of your stress. Just try to relax. :)
You just need to trust him. He's telling you that he's not hungry. Rather than being so strict about a certain number of ounces at certain times, try just feeding him when he lets you know he's hungry (waiting for his cues) and letting him eat until he's full. They go through phases where they eat more or less. If you let hiim take the lead, he'll learn to eat when he's hungry and not eat when he's not hungry. Long term, he'll develop very good eathing habits.
Maybe it's time to readjust the schedule. He's getting older. I personally would not be feeding any food yet. He's too young. Maybe around 7 months old would be better.
You don't say how big he is, but if he takes a little bit and is done, let him be done. You can't force a kid to eat, sleep, or go potty. You will always lose those battles, so don't fight them. Let him eat what he wants and put the rest of it in the fridge. You can leave it out for a bit. If he doesn't eat it, it's not a big deal. Between 25-30 oz is typical; if he's dropping some from his 1 pm feeding let him do it. Just if he gets fussy again offer it, but don't make it a big deal. Good luck.
And the other posters are right too, about letting him tell you when he wants to eat and when he wants to stop rather than sticking to a strict schedule. They're also right about formula being the most important food, but water is fine and the food every other day is fine too. If you have to fight him over the food, then delay it; don't try to rush or force eating solids.
Little tummies? Gas tells you that what is being eating is rotting in the intestine- not being digested. That is for all of us. At his age he has the ezymes to digest unless what you are feeding him is really bad for him- please pay attention the the signals his body is trying to give you- something is wrong w/ this "formula"
Sounds like he is starving- not enough nutrition in his "food", pls check WestonPrice.com, and see what real nutrition is, and you can help your little one develop properly.
Signals from his body, &our bodies, are clues to help us with better nutrition, and better living. Pls don't just cover them up- follow the clue to a solution.
best, k
... Per our Pediatrician:
for the 1st year of life, breastmilk or Formula is a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition, not solids and not other liquids. And to give the breastmilk or Formula, BEFORE solids. Otherwise, a baby will be too full, to drink their Formula and they will wean.
And to give it to baby, on-demand. Not per a schedule.
Feeding according to a schedule, does not match a baby's changing appetites and growth-spurts.
He does not seem to like the new nipple.
The 'waiting' to get the air out.
I would try another bottle/nipple.
He also seems too hungry and past hungry at 1:00pm.
And tired by then.
Babies when tired, cannot or will not eat.
When is his nap times???
Babies usually feed, more often than once every 4 hours.
