7-Month Old and Reduced EBM Intake While at Daycare - Now Refusing Boob!!!!!

Updated on August 14, 2007
A.K. asks from Chicago, IL
4 answers

My DS is at daycare FT, and over the last 2 weeks he has gone from having 20oz EBM during the day (8-5), to 6oz (as of today). He has cereal and Gerber for lunch(mixed with EBM). He nurses well we get home at night, and then wakes up twice during the night to feed - my DH gives him a bottle at one of the feeds. He was fine having a few bottles over this past weekend so I know he will still take them... so I'm trying to understand why his intake has dramatically decreased while he is at daycare? Does anyone have any insight to this? I'm thinking maybe teething, noise in the room, heat etc. He is still having the normal number of wet and poopy diapers but I still worry is he getting enough food and not getting dehydrated.

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So What Happened?

***So, now an update - he is getting back up to his 20oz of EBM at daycare, but he has refused to nurse since early Saturday morning's feeding. Although he is definately hungry, he pulls away from me and turns the other way. But when I offer the bottle after he refuses me, he takes it and drinks 4-5 oz!!!! I'm happy that at least he is still taking milk, and now sleeping through the night, but why is he now refusing the boob? I'm trying hard not to get sad :(

More Answers

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C.G.

answers from Augusta on

Has he been in daycare long? Some babies will reverse cycle- they prefer to get their breastmilk "from the tap" (or in this case from Dad too maybe) and will just eat more when at home and less when at day care. Maybe that's what he is doing? Do you think he is eating more than he used to in solid food at day care? It may be that he is eating a lot of cheerios or other finger foods and they don't realize how much he is having. As long as he seems to be well hydrated and healthy I wouldn't worry and maybe freeze some of that fabulous extra EBM for later. Also the site www.kellymom.com discusses reverse cyclng. Good luck.

BTW my best friend is a "mum" from England and just moved to Germany- you're making me homesick for her:)

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Sounds like he is reverse cycling. You will want to nurse him at night to make sure your supply keeps ups (I assume you are pumping at work?). Because you should get as much direct nursing as you can because pumping doesn't stimulate you to make milk quite the same as nursing.

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A.R.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with the other response- lots of times babies will decrease their intake of EBM and wait to nurse. As long as he seems happy and healthy and is having enough wet diapers, etc. I would not worry. You might notice a big increase in nursing though- nursing for longer stretches or maybe waking up an additional time to nurse :)

Keep up the nursing!
Here is another link you might like: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/index.php

-Amanda

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K.

answers from Chicago on

My son did this too - only he flat out refused bottles at 7M. If you're worried that he's not getting enough you can have them increase the amount of food he gets fed each day (but make sure if you do this that they offer him a bottle first). Another way for the daycare to incorporate more EBM into his diet is to mix it with cereal and have him eat it. But remember - babies are really good at eating when they're hungry, so ultimately I would trust him to decide how much he needs. As other posters said, he is probably increasing the amount that he has at night to make up for it, so I wouldn't worry too much.

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