My 5 1/2 month old baby is only drinking ca 2 ounces from the bottle and is hardly eating any solids. Ideas?

Question

She has started teething and has never been keen on bottle feeds, preferring to be breast fed. She has maybe 10 ounces of milk a day, which is far too little. What can I do?

Answer 1

SEE YOUR CHILD'S DOCTOR! Our 3-year-old has a swallowing disorder made worse by an oral aversion(she was born with cranial abnormalities). Get professional help as soona s you can: the earlier you correct a problem, the better.

Answer 2

That is way too little, and she can actually get dehydrated with the little food. She doesn't need solids yet, so stick with the milk. Keep offering her the bottle and/or breast often and if by the end of today if she isn't eating more call her pediatciain's office. This can be very serious.

Answer 3

You are right - that is definitely too little formula/liquids. At that age, the baby should still be taking in about 2.5 ounces per pound of body weight.

I would contact her pediatrician for guidance. But until you get her in to see him, you could try various types of nipples to see if they make a difference (some babies prefer breast-shaped larger nipples like those by Soothie, or a medium shaped nipple like those by Avent, or a smaller nipple like some by Playtex).

Also, you don't mention whether she is taking breast milk from the bottle or formula. If formula, it could be that she does not like the taste, and you could try other formulas...

Good luck!

Answer 4

u need to speak to your health visitor asap. stop the solids just give milk in whatever form she will take breast or bottle. if its just started then maybe shes off her food cos of the teething my daughter found that with her son whos 7months . when hes not teething hes still not keen on eating turns his nose up at whatever she offers him so leave it for a while it wont do her any harm

Answer 5

Try spoon feeding. Perhaps she does not get enough exercise to make her hungry. or a good appetiser. The best natural appetiser is 50 ml - 75ml orange juice with some sugar once a day, preferably spoon fed. Hug her closely while feeding. She needs the warmth of the mother.

Answer 6

Try changing the bottle teats to a faster flow it maybe that the milk is not coming out fast enough and your child can't be bothered to suck hard!
I wouldn't worry about the solids just yet your child is only still young.

Answer 7

Hi i'm a baby nurse; is there any reason why she can't contunue to be breast fed ? or are you trying to wean her off the breast. Are your health visitors also worried that she's not drinking enough milk. Id like to help you more but need a bit more information first !!!

Answer 8

You need to get her checked by the Dr. Make sure she is thriving and gaining weight. Otherwise the DR. will give her a meal re-placement type of shake to help her gain some weight. Have you tried jars of food???? she can eat a little mixed in with her rice cereal. Try some fruit. It is sweet and hopefully it will stimulate her appetite. Good-luck and don't let this go.

Answer 9

You can start her on solids, maybe she is just not use to them, try giving her mashed potatoes, she's not way too little my son ate solids great at 5 months, also give her gerber fruit, try different mashed food.

Answer 10

Is she gaining weight? Does she have regular bowel movements and urination? If she prefers breastfeeding, then continue if you can as it is far superior in nutrition. If she is not gaining weight or is not displaying the typical signs of progress, then take her in to the pedi...