6 answers

Feeding Issues - Cedar Lake,IN

I have a 6 month old girl and she only eats about 2-3 ounces every 3 hours. At night she will sometimes sleep for a 5 hour stretch but that is the longest she will go. She is a healthy weight and a happy baby so I don't know why it stresses me out so bad that she doesn't eat very well. Should I let it worry me? Does anyone else have a little one with eating issues?

In response to the first two answers, I'm formula feeding not nursing. Tried to nurse for the first 4 weeks and it didn't work out :(

What can I do next?

More Answers

I agree - if she is a healthy weight, then you are OK. Every baby is different and feeds at their own pace. The sleep pattern you describe is perfectly normal (my son is 14 mos. and still gets up once in the middle of the night). If you are concerned about introducing solids and she isn't eating well there, don't worry, she's not supposed to. In the first year of life, b'milk/formula is the #1 source of nutrition. The foods you give her are just meant to get her to practice eating solids and expose her to different flavors. Otherwise, if you're stressed about her only drinking 2-3 oz. every 3hrs, despite being healthy and happy, then perhaps the food issues are yours?

How do you know she eats only 2-3 ounces?
Do you weigh her before and after each feeding?
She's probably eating more than you think.
A five-hour stretch at night is wonderful!
Congratulations!
S.

If you're concerned, I would speak with your doctor but since she's a normal/healthy weight I don't think they'll see an issue. Does she eat more after she's gone 5 hours without eating/sleeping? Do you jump to feed her too soon? Maybe when she gets fussy she's actually tired and not hungry? I would try soothing her with a pacifier before jumping to feed her and rocking her...if that doesn't calm her then she's definitely hungry...just a thought!

My son has an eating disorder, so I've gone round and round with eating issues. Let me reassure you: If your baby is at a healthy weight, she is perfectly fine! Babies intuitively know how much they need. Some babies just don't eat a lot. As long as she gains weight and doesn't drop her weight percentile, she's doing great. And five hours of sleep is great. Mine usually slept for longer at that age, but I have several friends whose babies didn't sleep all night until they were over a year. Making sure no light is on in her room or using a white noise maker or a fan might help (it did with my boys).

ok i guess am having trouble with the question...she is a healthy weight, is growing and you can get her to sleep for 5 hour stretches? so what is the problem? if you were nursing her youd have no idea what her intake was but seeing her healthy and growing would tell you she is fine so look at it that way

Updated

ok i guess am having trouble with the question...she is a healthy weight, is growing and you can get her to sleep for 5 hour stretches? so what is the problem? if you were nursing her youd have no idea what her intake was but seeing her healthy and growing would tell you she is fine so look at it that way

For the first year, a breast-fed baby is considered to "sleep through the night" at 5 hours! I know it's hard, but I promise you don't have to force it. She'll sleep longer when she's ready. My first slept through the night around 7 months after we started solids. My second didn't until around 9 months.

Is she still in your room? She might be bothered by sounds and you breath, turn over, etc. You could try putting her in her own room for a weekend and see if that makes a difference.

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