Eating issues

[samarasmom]

Samara us now 6 wks old and thriving just fine, in fact she was 8 pds and 14 ounces the other day. YEAH. But her appetite and after eating is worrisome. SHe eats 4 ounces every 2 hours and sometimes I have to hold her over until then with listening to her cry and giving her a pacifier for a 1/2 hour. She doesnt seem satisfied but I am worried that I am giving her too much milk. She still spits up no matter how little or much you give her.
DId anyone else have this and is it okay and normal to give her more so soon. My boys werent little piggies until later.

Sandra 23
Michael Abron ( fiance)
Elijah Kristopher Michael Abron ( 43 wks no complications) 5/6/99
Isaiah Liam Abron ( 37 wks PE and Preterm labor) 3/25/02
Samara Juliyana Abron ( 35 wks PIH and poss PE ) 7/21/04

[laura]

Sandra- my second baby was an "eater" like you describe. And now, she's still eating every ten minutes and still somehow remains a scrawny little thing. I find she eats soooo much more right before she hits a growth spurt- so I'd say just feed her when she's hungry and don't worry about it. It'll all even out! Let us know how you guys are doing!

Laura
Administrator/AK Area Coordinator

Alicia (severe PE) 5/98 ~ Camille (htn, oligo) 4/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/camilleandallie/

[deerhart]

Sandra
both my boys ate all the time. In fact we didn't hit 4 hour seperations (except overnight) with Alex until he was almost 5 months old (he was still at every 1-2 hours until 4 months). Mason went to about 4 hour breaks at about 4 months as well.
THey still eat like crazy today (snacking every hour or so)

Erin

Moderator - Parents of Preemies
Missouri State Coordinator
Mommy to Alex (4)and Mason (1 1/2)
Law Student - 1 year done, 2 to go

[mom2tori]

Sandra, my daughter is a huge eater! In the NICU she would down her little bottle in under 4 minutes and still seem hungry. She is now 2 and still eats fast all the time and doesn't feel like she is eating unless her mouth is so full she can hardly chew. Small bites and chew good is something that she just doesn't understand. I am always hovering because I feel like she is going to choke but never has. ( i am keeping my fingers crossed) I second the thought of letting Samara eat as much as she wants, she will let you know when she is done.
Alissa mommy to:
Dominic 9/10/97-9/11/97
Victoria 1/8/02

[deerhart]

oh one more thing, she is probably hitting a growth spurt, which causes most babies to cluster feed (in order to increase their mother's milk supply) and later the feedings slow down (but they are still getting more food becuase the supply has gone up). Even though your bottle feeding, she will still do the same thing. You might try increasing her ounces each feeding until the feedings seperate back out to the time frame you want them at. I know Mason was drinking 8 oz bottles by 2 moths of age so increasing her to 5 or 6 shouldn't be a problem and some babies just need more calories.

Erin

Moderator - Parents of Preemies
Missouri State Coordinator
Mommy to Alex (4)and Mason (1 1/2)
Law Student - 1 year done, 2 to go

[jenn]

I'm just the worst person in this dept.
Ms. Jai is anything but textbook.
But I see you got some great answers!
And I would guess as well that's it's a growth spurt...soon you'll be able to tell when she's having one by her actions...I remeber many times we announced "Jai's having another spurt" girl could down bottles like nobody's business.
And a ped. is a mommies best friend...call and mention it. Never hurts.

Lots of love!

Jennie (25)
Shad (29)
Jaidyn (3) @30 wks
Severe PE/HELLP
2lb. 12oz.
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jaid/

Natalia Rosse
Due: 11.25.04
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/n/nataliarosse/

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=182798555105&photoid=588409555105&Ucollid=182798555105&Uphotoid=114209555105&refreshkey=1092871853409

[samarasmom]

Thanks alot ladies. At least I know that she isnt the only acting like she is dying from hunger ( sarcastically). I am going to up her feedings. Oh and by the way I found the best bottles in the world. Shes a very gassy baby and we wanted to elimanate it and I was VERY desperate. So I bought these Playtex Vent-Air bottles and they work wonders

Sandra 23
Michael Abron ( fiance)
Elijah Kristopher Michael Abron ( 43 wks no complications) 5/6/99
Isaiah Liam Abron ( 37 wks PE and Preterm labor) 3/25/02
Samara Juliyana Abron ( 35 wks PIH and poss PE ) 7/21/04

[laura]

AMEN to that, sister! I tried "normal" bottles when Allie was born and it was such a nightmare!! I swear by those things! With Cam- I just bought them right out of the gate. I love 'em! Heeey, cam's done with hers, do you want me to mail some more to you? Email me if you do!

Laura
Administrator/AK Area Coordinator

Alicia (severe PE) 5/98 ~ Camille (htn, oligo) 4/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/camilleandallie/

[samarasmom]

That would be great. I will do that. THey are very expensive for 5 bottles it cost me more than 20 dollars. But they are worth it

Sandra 23
Michael Abron ( fiance)
Elijah Kristopher Michael Abron ( 43 wks no complications) 5/6/99
Isaiah Liam Abron ( 37 wks PE and Preterm labor) 3/25/02
Samara Juliyana Abron ( 35 wks PIH and poss PE ) 7/21/04

[twolfgram]

Connor's now three weeks old and still, the most he's taken at one time is four ounces, and that was ONE time! Mostly he's two ounces every two-three hours. I worry he's not getting enough to eat, but when he's done he purses his lips together and there's no giving him more! Should I assume he's getting enough to eat? I would love for him to take more, at longer intervals, but maybe he's having a growth spurt, too. Who knows!

Sandra, Connor was born at 35 1/2 weeks. Did Samara have any time in the NICU or any issues at birth? Connor had bilirubin and eating issues. He needed to be tube fed for a couple of days.

Therese
Mom to:
Jonathan 10/4/95 28 wks
Erik(stillborn) 12/20/02
Connor 8/11/04 35 wks