is it normal for babies to eat less when they have a cold???

I'm really at my wits end over here. All day long I'm trying to stuff bottles, and they are really not eating. I took my boy to the doc today (who yelled at me for worrying so much and having so many questions, but that's besides the point) and it seems everything's fine. Except that I KNOW that he's eating way less than he should (and used to).

Feeding is not at all like it used to - which was to drink the bottle in one sitting with a couple of burps in between, and then again 3-4 hours later. Now it's an ounce here or there (more often in their sleep) because they just refuse the bottle.

They are going through colds now (coughs, sore throat) so I'm wondering (hoping!) that it's the source of the problem and that it will get back to normal soon.

Anyone have any similar experience?? I feel like a terrible mother who is the sole person responsible for their well-being and doing a terrible job...

 

I'm really at my wits end over here. All day long I'm trying to stuff bottles, and they are really not eating. I took my boy to the doc today (who yelled at me for worrying so much and having so many questions, but that's besides the point) and it seems everything's fine. Except that I KNOW that he's eating way less than he should (and used to).

Feeding is not at all like it used to - which was to drink the bottle in one sitting with a couple of burps in between, and then again 3-4 hours later. Now it's an ounce here or there (more often in their sleep) because they just refuse the bottle.

They are going through colds now (coughs, sore throat) so I'm wondering (hoping!) that it's the source of the problem and that it will get back to normal soon.

Anyone have any similar experience?? I feel like a terrible mother who is the sole person responsible for their well-being and doing a terrible job...

 

Sorry to hear how you were treated by your ped. Is this normal or do you think the doc was just having a bad day? If this is part of a pattern then I would consider a change.

In regards to the cold, absolutely. I know I often lose my appetite when I have a cold and I think that would be even magnified if the only way for me to eat was to suck.

Please don't get down on yourself! Lots of people lose their appetite when they aren't feeling well. They will eat when they are feeling better, unfortunately not necessarily when we would like them to!

 

Oh honey, don't let the kids being sick & a ped. get you down. Yes, the kids will eat less when they are sick. They'll bounce back though! Did the doctor check for ear infections? That is often a culprit! I hope they feel better soon!

 

Both of mine have colds and are eating way less than usual. DD more so than DS. He's just eating slightly less, she's eating alot less than usual but her cold is worse so I guess it makes sense.
I'm sorry your ped treated you that way Do you think maybe it's the cold and flu season getting to him? I know my ped's office is overrun right now, he could just be burned out

 

My girls always eat a lot less when they have colds. I try to feed them more often, but that doesn't always work.

Shame on your pedi for giving you grief. I say if they do this a lot, I'd look for a new pedi. Every mom is entitled to have concerns and the doc should support you.

 

Yes, most people don't want to eat when they're sick!

I agree about the pedi, hopefully it was just one off day. My pedi yelled at me once, but it was a misunderstanding, once we got that ironed out everything was fine.

 

both of our girls just got over being sick and they ate A LOT less. I was really worried because they aren't big eaters as it is. My sister told me to stop being a control freak, that they weren't robots and to relax. Sure enough when they were over their colds they made up for it and have been eating more than ever for the last week or so!

While they were sick I went to a 2 ounces every 2 hours schedule on the advice of my dr. All you need to do is make sure that they are still having wet diapers and are not dehydrated.

 

quote:
While they were sick I went to a 2 ounces every 2 hours schedule on the advice of my dr.


Thank you! This is what I would've loved to hear from my doctor...well, I guess I'm going to have to rely on what all your pedi's have told you guys!!

And thank you all for making me feel better....

About my doctor - yeah, he's a bit rough - although he's supposedly the best in the community (knows his stuff). I'm starting to think that maybe I need someone newer, younger, with more patience, and today when I took my other twin, I saw someone else in the practice, who is just a nurse practitioner but she was great. I was giving it one last try - if I would've gotten similar rough teatment from her I woulda switched (which I am hesitant to do because I don't think the other practices in the area are much better...)