My LO has started solids early on the advice from the paediatrician and paediatric dietician. Weight gain has not followed a normal curve, we've had reflux and a milk protein allergy. I'm following the advice from the professionals (I know some of you might do things differently but I'm happy with the advice) which is to feed on meal a day prior to his bottle (it's EBM as I"m an EE). I"m giving my DS maybe about 2.5 tablespoons of a mixture of veg, rice cereal and mixed with about 60mls of EBM. I then follow his meal with a bottle. He generally only takes about 60mls of this bottle, sometimes less. He normally takes on average about 110-130mls of EBM 7 times a day. I've noticed that his bottle intakes for the 3 bottles during the middle of the day and afternoon are about 3/4 of what they used to be. I'm just worried that he might not be getting enough calories to prevent from falling further behind with his weight gain because his feed volumes have reduced.
How has one meal a day affected your bubs milk volume? I know the equations are different for EBM and FF, but if you are FF how much would your bub have a day with one meal?
The other factor is that my bub is 4.5 months - we started early on the advice of the professionals.
Dear Lisa,
Allergies are a special area, and it can be very difficult to get correct information. It is very stressful for mothers! (I know because I have been there and done that personally, as well as in my experience with mothers I work with.)
At this age your baby still needs 700-800mls of breastmilk per day - which seems to be what your little one is having. Generally babies who take this much milk will grow and thrive. Food is *in addition* to breastmilk. What you are observing is exactly the reason why it is usually not recommended to give solids at this age. Research shows that low cal solids (rice and vegies and the other first foods babies take are usually low in calories) displaces milk from the diet. Generally they need more breastmilk rather than more food. Babies who suffer from allergies often do gain weight more slowly than their counterparts. They use more calories just to keep their bodies intact, their immune system is under constant asault. It's not really possible or helpful to compare what the formula tin says to what your baby needs.
Many mothers find that the key to getting more milk in is trying smaller, more frequent feeds. It is important in situations like this to watch the baby, not the *numbers* - they will grow differently to other babies and their will be multiple factors involved. It is really, really important in these situations that breatmilk feeding is preserved. Breastmilk supports your baby's immune system and reduces inections. Feel free to ask more questions. You are doing a really great job in very difficult circumstances
Crumpt - thanks for letting me know the amounts your bub has and how it has reduced.
Barb - the paediatric dietician told me today that I am feeding too often, that I should be trying to give larger amounts 5 times a day, so I began to think I'm pestering with the bottle too often in the middle of the day (the fussy feeding nurse we saw when he was 9 weeks old told me I was pestering too much then because of his low volumes...so i know i can be a pest...lol)
There seem to be a lot of *shoulds* flying around. Why precisely *should* he be having five bigger bottles? Scarily too many health professionals get their education on infant feeding from the side of a formula can. Your baby is NOT formula feeding. You are the mother, and you know your baby best. It is really *NOT* normal for a baby that age to be feeding only 5 times a day. Normally a baby this age would have 8 or more feeds in 24hours. Imagine, too, if you had an icky, sensitive tummy, would smaller, lighter meals suit better, or huge meals? Many health professionals believe mothers *won't want to feed this often* (but other members of the family would feed this often. Keep asking "why" they are suggesting these things and don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
Thanks Barb. I don't have a problem feeding him more often but I know I have a pestering potential as I get anxious about weight and feed volumes. I will try and listen more carefully to my son and be guided by him during the day about how many feeds he wants.
One more query - if my milk is making his stomach sensitive is BM still best for him, is it giving him something worthwhile or is this a case where I should look into the allergy formula? Moving to formula hasn't sat easy with me (particularly the soy and allergy ones, please don't be offended if you are FF users. I respect your decision and totally understand why you make the FF decision because EE isn't for everyone) which is why I find myself EE and restricting my diet by cutting milk out.
milk volume, one meal a day
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