Feeding volume question

[fikmama1986]

Hi ladies,
I have a quick question about feeding volume. My son was born at 33 weeks 0 days in April. His due date is Friday May 22. He currently takes expressed breast milk in a bottle and fortified to 24 cal. His intake is super variable. He ranges from 11-16oz consumed each day over the past week. Everything I have read says babies should eat 2-3oz every 2-3 hours. Ethan is nowhere near eating that much.

As your babies got closer to their due dates did they start to consume more? Although he is gaining weight Ethan's pedi wants his intake increased. I can't force feed this kid. Did your kiddos naturally up their volumes or has anyone else run into this? The doc doesn't want me to try transitioning to breast feeding until he takes more volume at each feed since my breast milk will be lower calorie.

[fikmama1986]

Thank you jnetx.

I'm still new to all of this and feel like I'm clueless. First kid and I would have been clueless regardless but throw in baby being early and I know even less.

[fikmama1986]

May 17, 2015 16:28:45 GMT -5 jnetx said:

Is he in the NICU or at home? If he's still in the NICU, are they giving him a certain number of ounces per feeding or does he just have a minimum amount per feeding and can have more if he wants it? If they are sticking to that same amount each feeding, ask about offering more if he finishes. He may be hungrier at certain times of day and just want to snack at other times. If he's at home, I'm assuming you are already doing this. Are you feeding him every three hours or on demand?

He is home now. I've been told to not let him go longer than 3 hours between feeds but I offer extra if he seems to be showing cues.

When he was discharged he had been on an every 3 hour schedule and more given if he seemed interested. The last 2 days before he came home he could eat as much as he wanted at any time as long as he didn't go past 3 hours. He had to take in at least 160ml in 12 hours.

Sorry, I wasn't particularly descriptive.  DS spent 25 days in NICU after being born at 33 weeks 0 days and has been home 2 weeks.  His pediatrician is pushing us to get him to eat more before I try getting him more breast fed.  She thinks he needs to be taking in a lot more volume before I go for breast feeding because plain breast milk is lower calorie than the high cal fortified milk.

[minae01]

My little guy was born at 32w3d. We brought him home about 3.5 weeks before his due date. Getting him to eat was a struggle from the beginning. He would take 1.5 a feeding every 3 hours. He gained weight very slowly but on his curve. The pedi was never too concerned, even though I drove myself crazy trying to get him to finish bottles. He didn't ever take bottles well, even when he was older. He's 2 1/2 now and eats just fine, but he's still small - 26.5 lbs. Some kids just don't eat a lot, but I would definitely give your little guy some time. If your pedi is satisfied with his weight gain, there's no need to worry. Congrats on DS's Homecoming!

[irishvodkagrl]

My boys were born at 30w3d and were eating 2oz every 3 hours, plus more if they wanted to continue, when they came home from NICU at 8 weeks old. Now they are almost 12 weeks and are up to 4-5oz every 4 hours with the occasional jump.

Sounds like your little guy is doing just fine, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[FCtwinmom]

I think it is strange that your pediatrician is pushing you to increase the volume if your LO is gaining fine.

When my twins came home from the NICU at 37 weeks (born at 31+5) they were eating between 50-60ml of pumped milk fortified to 24cal every 3 hours (like clockwork). We would offer more if they showed cues of being hungry. But we didn't try to force it if they weren't showing signs. They naturally increased and now (at 6 months) they take between 3-4oz per feeding of pumped milk (still 3 hrs during the day but they mostly STTN). We just start supplementing with formula twice a day and they usually do about 5oz bottles there.

I agree with PP that you should maybe think about getting a second opinion. My babies have both gained slowly and steadily on their curve and have shown some make up growth each. I think the key is as long as your LO is gaining weight and growing you are doing just fine. Each baby grows differently and our pediatrician says as long as they are gaining well on their own curve she is totally fine with it.

[jense927]

My DS was born at 31 weeks and came home around 37 weeks. He was eating anywhere from 45-60mL every 3ish hours. I would say an average of about 14 ounces a day for a while. He eventually jumped to 3 oz and then 4 but I can't remember exactly when that happened. I would say at least a few weeks of being home. I think once he was 1 month adjusted (3 month actual) he jumped up to 3-4 ounces. He had no issues with weight gain at any of those points. Seems weird that your doctor is wanting him to take more..how has his weight gain been?

[santoki77]

Just to put in perspective, not only is age part of the equation but also weight. My LO is 36w4d and weighs 4lbs2oz and he gets 34ml/3h which is fortified. So that's a little over ounce per feed. They said his "full feed" would depend on his overall weight. I'm guessing that by the time he's ready to come home, hopefully soon, he'll be between 10-15 oz per day. Good luck!

And like the other posters noted, maybe find a pediatrician who has experience with preemies?

[fikmama1986]

May 20, 2015 9:18:10 GMT -5 jense927 said:

My DS was born at 31 weeks and came home around 37 weeks. He was eating anywhere from 45-60mL every 3ish hours. I would say an average of about 14 ounces a day for a while. He eventually jumped to 3 oz and then 4 but I can't remember exactly when that happened. I would say at least a few weeks of being home. I think once he was 1 month adjusted (3 month actual) he jumped up to 3-4 ounces. He had no issues with weight gain at any of those points. Seems weird that your doctor is wanting him to take more..how has his weight gain been?

He's gaining around an ounce or so a day. We were in at the pedi the other day and doc seemed happy that he's gaining at this pace and wants to keep him on fortified milk for the time being.

[santoki77]

Oh I learned something from the neonatologist. ...this isn't an exact number but still give you a general idea (I also don't remember the exact formula) but here's a few examples...get weight in kilograms to 1 decimel, like 1.5kg, 2kg - multiply by 10, so 15, 20 - then multiply by 2, so 30, 40 - the 30, 40 represents about how many mL to eat at every feed. That's why they "weight adjust" feeds per the formula. My LO'S last weight adjustment was a few days ago. He weighed 1950g (1.95kg) and they increased his feeds to 37mL. So the "formula" is close. And 30mL = 1 ounce