Worried about DS´s eating

I´ve posted a few times about DS´s erratic feeds but now I need your advice.

DS started getting hard to feed about 2.5 weeks ago. As it slowly got more difficult, we went to the pedi who discovered oral thrush in his mouth (I´d spotted the white spots). He also had an inflamed throat as a result. He´s been on medication and baby paracetamol since Tuesday and his mouth is better. However, he is refusing to eat. We were spending 45-60 minutes to get him to eat (way too long, I know) and he would only do so half-asleep. My MIL´s cousin is a pedi and I spoke to her today and she had a go at me for insisting on his feeds. She told me to leave him alone and to let him eat when and what he wanted. (I felt attacked as I dont know this woman and she doesnt know DS). Anyway, I did this today and he ate 4oz of formula and some fruit puree all day. He normally eats 8oz every 4 hours.

My DH tells me to not worry but I am as he´s going to get dehydrated at this rate. He doesnt even want to eat his morning bottle after 12 hours! I´ve tried offering him water and a baby mix which has salts and minerals but he´s not interested. He starts to feed them rejects the bottle. BTW, he accepts the fruit puree quite well. We´ve only just started this so it´s a small quantity and he does get fed up of it.

He sttn but is waking at nights. He´s also very restless at nights, but that´s typical for him as it´s his personality too. However its been more than usual. He naps quite well during the day and is generally happy except for feeding time!

Could this be teething? The pedi hasn´t given me a straight answer on this. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Just wanted to add that he doesnt have a temperature or diahrrea.

 

Yes I think it could be teething or he could just be a picky eater. I feel for you, I am a mom to 2 picky eaters myself. There is no rhyme or reason (that I know of) as to why sometimes my girls will take 8 ounces, and sometimes they only take 3. They have always been that way and there is nothing wrong with them - they just aren't big eaters. Maybe your son is the same way, or maybe he just isn't feeling well right now. If he only takes 4 ounces and is hungry sooner than normally when he takes 8 ounces, as long as you are feeding him when he is hungry I don't think you have anything to worry about. Hopefully he'll go back to his old ways soon :hug:

 

Aimee: thank you for your reply. DS ate just 4oz all day and he is normally a great eater. He hasnt been asking for food for a while and even went without a bottle at one feed as he didnt want it. I hope it´s just a phase as its driving me crazy with worry! It is true what my mum says though: ´no healthy baby starves´. It´s hard work being a mum!

 

I agree he could be teething. I would say if you still in a few days are having issues, take him back to the doctor. And I think I would have felt attacked too.

Dianna

 

have you attempted a faster flow nipple on his bottle? I only ask this because as DS hit about 4 months he'd take an oz or two and then fall asleep and then wake up 20 min later hungry etc - it seemed like he just "snacked" all day long...once I upped the bottle to a faster flow nipple he did great - it took a day or 2 for him to get used to it without gagging but he started downing 6 oz at a time and was much more satisfied...

 

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you as I have the same problem with both my babies. I tried faster flow nipples and they just stopped drinking.

This may sound like a stupid question but what does Thrush look like?

Mine are taking over an hour to drink 5.5 for DD and 6.5 for DS. And they don't always finish their bottles. I'm getting worried about DD's weight gain. Is this too long?

 

ITA about going up a nipple size if you havent already. And if the eating continues to be such a small amount and you notice fewer and fewer wet diapers, I would call the Ped and voice your concerns AGAIN! I am sorry that you arent getting a straight answer. Four ounces all day is not enough, but you cant force them to eat. Hopefully he is recovering from the thrush and maybe teething is causing it. But if it doesnt pick up, I might at least get him to the Ped for weight check. HTH! GL!

 

Wow I can't believe they are 5 months already lil sis!

First of all hugs to you for going through all of this. Sounds like you got some pretty good advice. Whenever DD would get sick and not want to eat the nurses at my pedi office said to just feed her more often and whatever she takes she takes. Water, formula, gatorade watered down, pedialyte. I would of course check on those last two items since he is younger.

GL, keep us posted!

 

My DD did this after she had the stomach flu. It was awful... I say just get him to drink as much as possible.. Maybe a dropper with pediliate just to keep him hydrated and let him eat as much solids as he wants. He will eat when he is hungry. I bet.. He is "scared" of the pain that he was in.

 

QUOTE(Rach28 @ Nov 8 2008, 05:02 PM) [snapback]1062486[/snapback]
I´ve posted a few times about DS´s erratic feeds but now I need your advice.

DS started getting hard to feed about 2.5 weeks ago. As it slowly got more difficult, we went to the pedi who discovered oral thrush in his mouth (I´d spotted the white spots). He also had an inflamed throat as a result. He´s been on medication and baby paracetamol since Tuesday and his mouth is better. However, he is refusing to eat. We were spending 45-60 minutes to get him to eat (way too long, I know) and he would only do so half-asleep. My MIL´s cousin is a pedi and I spoke to her today and she had a go at me for insisting on his feeds. She told me to leave him alone and to let him eat when and what he wanted. (I felt attacked as I dont know this woman and she doesnt know DS). Anyway, I did this today and he ate 4oz of formula and some fruit puree all day. He normally eats 8oz every 4 hours.

My DH tells me to not worry but I am as he´s going to get dehydrated at this rate. He doesnt even want to eat his morning bottle after 12 hours! I´ve tried offering him water and a baby mix which has salts and minerals but he´s not interested. He starts to feed them rejects the bottle. BTW, he accepts the fruit puree quite well. We´ve only just started this so it´s a small quantity and he does get fed up of it.

He sttn but is waking at nights. He´s also very restless at nights, but that´s typical for him as it´s his personality too. However its been more than usual. He naps quite well during the day and is generally happy except for feeding time!

Could this be teething? The pedi hasn´t given me a straight answer on this. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Just wanted to add that he doesnt have a temperature or diahrrea.



My older DS had this when he was younger like a 1 1/2 I also had problems getting him to eat after he had thrush it is very painful for them. He would not eat because he remembered that sucking on the bottle was very painful for him. It was 3 days before he ate much of anything. We finally had to try a new cup and make several different things to get him to eat.

With that said have you tried to give him a sippy cup or even try and give him a drink of water from a cup I know it would be very messy but If he relizes that it wount hurt him anymore he may be more apt to take the bottle. If he is atleast eating the fruit for now he is atleast getting something. I know its very frustrating. :hug:

Good luck I hope he starts eating soon.

 

QUOTE(AmynTony @ Nov 9 2008, 02:00 AM) [snapback]1062611[/snapback]
have you attempted a faster flow nipple on his bottle? I only ask this because as DS hit about 4 months he'd take an oz or two and then fall asleep and then wake up 20 min later hungry etc - it seemed like he just "snacked" all day long...once I upped the bottle to a faster flow nipple he did great - it took a day or 2 for him to get used to it without gagging but he started downing 6 oz at a time and was much more satisfied...


Hi there, yes we have tried this and no luck. He has taken just 9.5 oz today and there is one feed left. He just wants to sleep too and I hope he sttn as he´s been napping most of the day. DD is now off her food!

 

QUOTE(San12 @ Nov 9 2008, 02:21 AM) [snapback]1062622[/snapback]
I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you as I have the same problem with both my babies. I tried faster flow nipples and they just stopped drinking.

This may sound like a stupid question but what does Thrush look like?

Mine are taking over an hour to drink 5.5 for DD and 6.5 for DS. And they don't always finish their bottles. I'm getting worried about DD's weight gain. Is this too long?


Hi there, thrush is like white spots or white patches in their mouths. When mine first had it, they had it on their tongues adn on the insides of their cheeks. DS had less this time.

Mine were taking over an hour to eat too and, yes, it´s too long. Try leaving them for a day or so and see what they take. I did that yesterday and am doing so today. Both are sleeping better strangely enough and both sttn despite not eating. Maybe they are teething too. I think thats whats causing this. Also MIL´s cousin said that sometimes babies just dont have an appetite. I know how worrying this all is. Call your pedi if this continues though :hug:

 

Thank you all for your advice.

DS sttn last night despite not eating. Today he has eaten 9.5oz all day so far. He guzzled down his 2nd bottle (7oz) in 5 mins but hasn´t wanted anymore food since. We´ll see what happens at the next, and last, feed. He just wants to sleep too. DD wont eat either and has eaten just 10oz all day. Neither will drink liquids and I may have to call the pedi again tomorrow. Neither have a temperature and seem happy and content. I hope they both get eating asap.