Boys are taking less formula

Just wondering if your babies started taking less formula at a certain time and when? My boys are 6 months adjusted -9 months actual. The past week or so, both of them have droppd about 5 ounces a day (usually taking 1-1/2 ounces less a bottle). Both are doing it....they aren't as interested in drinking from their bottles--just don't seem hungry like normal (we give a bottle every 4 hours--5 times a day). And if they are hungry, they eat and then they just stop after a few ounces and play w/ the bottle in their mouth--sucking and then just spitting it out of their mouths. But they aren't distracted either. Since they are both doing it, we don't knwo if this is just a phase thing. They have had reflux and have been on meds. WE have been weaning them off the meds, but that's been almost a month and this just started, so don't think that's it. And they aren't really spitting up or fussing--just not interested.

We have increased their solids a little--they are feeding twice a day--and each take about 3/4 a packet of the stage 2 food..and I mix a bit of rice/oatmeal in w/ it. so would that amount of solids keep them from wanting their bottles more? But it happens w/ almost all feeds--not just eth ones right after we feed them solids.

I am very confused, and jsut wondering if this is normal?! We have had some weight issues w/ one of our DS, so just trying to see if I need to start worrying.

Thanks in advance (as always!)

 

When are you giving them solids? Usually we gave solids about 1 to 1.5 hours after a bottle so that they werent too full to drink their formula. How many total ounces per day are they getting? They could be teething too. And you could drop a solids meal and see if they eat more formula if you feel like they arent getting enough formula. Just throwing some stuff out there. HTH!

 

THanks! We are feeding them at least 2 hours before their next feed, so dont' think that is the issue. One of my DS is taking about 20 ounces a day and the other is taking about 24-25 ounces a day now. The one taking less has always taken a lot less and has had some issues eating, so we are used to him taking a smaller amount. My only worry is that this something new--w/ both of them taking a good bit less for each and every bottle. I think they are probably getting enough formula right now, but yesterday we gave one less feed (b/c we were out and about) and they still didn't take their bottle. So maybe it is teething. They are definitely being a little more difficult when it comes to eating their solids too. But it's been going on for about 4-5 days, so thought I had read that these teething symptoms would only last a few days. So confused!!

 

Maybe try giving them some Motrin and see if that helps them eat. If they are taking considerably less this week, I might just put a call into the Ped to see if their is anything that needs to be addressed.

 

i am having this same problem minus the addition of the solids to the diet (we haven't started solids yet) but do the same as you 5 bottles a day and over the course of the last week they have been progressively becomming more difficult to feed and not at all interested in food. they aren't hard to deal with or cranky or fussy of in pain they just want to play with the nipple, chew on it and move it around in their mouth. they even go as far as eating a little and the stopping to smile or try and talk, they just aren't into it at all. we went from a steady 5-6oz every feed to 4oz (if we are lucky). i'm going to call the ped when they open this morning since i have a couple of theories but i can't imagine that they can go on like this for much longer. they need to eat!

 

At their age, have you contemplated dropping a bottle and making larger bottles, especially since they are on two solid meals a day?

Just a suggestion...I did this with all three of mine when they started showing these signs and it seems to help some. However, both of my boys were never big drinkers and neither is my baby girl. I know other people's babies who gobble up bottles...my kids were never like that. Hope you get it figured out!

 

Our teething issues messed up bottles for weeks. We ended up adding extra powder to the formula to add more cals to what I could get them to eat. It was our peds idea.