Mothers of babies who don't eat much

I'm constantly worried that DD isn't eating enough. She is almost 6 months (in 8 days) and drinks about 25 ounces of formula a day and eats 1-2 tbsp of cereal a day. Today she ate only 17 ounces!!! I try so hard and am so patient feeding her. It used to be that she didn't seem to eat out of discomfort (she's on Nutramigen and Zantac) but now she just doesn't seem interested after a couple of ounces. I hate forcing her and trying to feed her when she is screaming and squirming away. DH saw me feeding her cereal and told me I wasn't being aggressive enough. I tend to gently put the food to her mouth for her to open and take it. DH just shoved it right in and she ate so much more. Should I be more forceful? What if she protests? Ped doesn't seem too concerned about her weight but would like to see her eat more. She's been on the 10th percentile since birth.

Re: Mothers of babies who don't eat much

oh my! i could have written this post. hannah is in the 5th percentile for weight, but she is gaining. on a very good day, she will take anywhere from 19-22 oz, plus 4 tbsps cereal (2 in the morning, and 2 at night)

on a typical day, it could be 16-18 oz. on a bad day 10-15. my ped said not to worry too, but how can you not???? especially being a first time mommy.

she is also on zantac and elecare formula. i am not "agressive" per se, but i did prompt her mouth open for the first few times to teach her to open wide for the spoon. i also said "open" while doing this, and now she can open her mouth w/o me prompting her and she responds to "open!" thats the teacher in me!! i also praise her alot for eating.

Message edited 12/2/2006 10:59:30 PM.

Re: Mothers of babies who don't eat much

17 ounces sounds okay ...my son would fluctuate between 17-24 ounces a day.

He was always on the skinny side.

He is one of those babies you could never overfeed. He turns his face and throws food off the tray.

Babies are pretty good at knowing how much they need.

Unless she is loosing weight I wouldn't be concerned. (easier said than done, I know )

Re: Mothers of babies who don't eat much

oh one more thing...

don't be forceful it could make things worse...they might begin to resent feedings and develop a "disgust" for food.

Re: Mothers of babies who don't eat much

Thanks ladies. I'll try not to worry so much.

Re: Mothers of babies who don't eat much

Yup. We have a skinny minny over here, too. I honestly stopped worrying so much. I just told myself that as long as she's healthy and gaining weight, it's not worth obsessing over. And it's not. There's nothing you can do. Last week, I was lucky if Ava would drink 15oz. a day. But this week, she's drinking 24 a day, so go figure. I think it all evens out in the end.

xxxxxxx

Message edited 2/9/2007 7:57:21 PM.