Help! My 6 month old is drinking so much less.?

Question

He use to eat 6 oz every 4 hours. Lately he only has been taking 3 oz and cries a lot. He seems hungry but then doesn't eat. We began solids at 4 months and he still eats that but his milk is dropping. What is the minumum he must have and are there any ideas to get him to drink his milk. I do believe he is teething. Lots of saliva and constantly putting his hands in his mouth. I've tried teethers but he doesn't want them. Ialso tried oralgel. I also combine breast feeding and bottle but he really hates the breast now. I just wonder to what point is it really a problem or do I just ride it out until his teeth pull through. I also notice he has NOT lost any weight but is slowly gaining compared to before.

Answer 1

As a mother of a 6 mos. old myself, born 1/9/07, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about.

Yes, he probably is teething, at least mine is. I did breast feed my daughter but after she started teething I started feeding her expressed breast milk because she was doing the same thing your son was doing. Most mothers will tell you to "nurse through it" and say "it'll get better", but that is totally up to you. I decided to switch to the bottle. She is taking 20-25 oz. daily. She too has been eating solids, rice cereal only, since 4 mos. of age when my pediatrician recommended it.

Most babies have a growth spurt around 5 1/2 mos. and some even as late as 7 mos. where they eat constantly and then drop off. My daughter's hit at 5 1/2 mos. and we were up to 35-40 oz. per day, but now that we're over that, she has settled back into the 20-25 oz. range.

As long as he's gaining, he's doing well, even if it's slowly. If the crying continues though, you may want to consult your pediatrician just to make sure it's not an ear infection. An ear infection in addition to the teething he is most likely doing, will have the same symptoms.

As far as the teething, mine wouldn't take a teething ring either. I usually give her a clean wash cloth with cold water on it. She loves it. I also rub her gums with my finger for a few minutes too, which seems to help. It's worth trying. I've also given my daughter tylenol, 1/2 her normal dosage, just once, to help her settle down. I was desperate, and I'm sure it couldn't have hurt.

Answer 2

This is from my friend I'm having the same problem with my 6 month old! She's never really had much formula anyway but this past week or so she's hardly had anything, im only getting a few ounce down down her at a time, she's very fussy. She is however on 6 month + follow on milk which contains more vitamins and iron so at least i know she's getting more than what she was before. My lil one won't have water either, try squeezing some fresh orange into his water just to give it a different taste, not to much though :( I havn't really got any advice but just want you to know that your not the only one with a fussy baby. It is worrying thats for sure. I'll keep looking back on this question to see if anyone answers with some advice. Good luck x

Answer 3

Don't worry he is just teething I use the Hyland Teething tablets and they work wonders. Plus make sure you are giving him tylenol for the pain. As soon as I do that for my daughter she is fine. Don't listen to the person in the prvious post you didn't start solids to early my daughter is 4 months and has been on solids since she was 2 months per her pediatrician she was a big baby when se was born. She only takes 4oz when she gets formula sometimes she will only take 2oz they know what they want if he is hungry he will let you know. Once you get his teeth feeling better he might eat more too when Shyann's teeth are bugging her she prefers baby food or something cold. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

he is teething talk to his doctor and shame on you for starting solids too early

Answer 5

ask his dr