I'm kind of freaking out a little...

How much should my baby be eating?

He's really not a good eater, hasn't been since he was born.

He's 7 weeks old and eats an average of 2 to 3.5 ounces during each feeding (I'm bottle feeding him breastmilk) and eating a total of about 18 - 21 ounces a day (depending on the day).

He's gaining weight alright (doing what the pediatrician wants, an ounce a day) but his weight gain is slowing as he's getting bigger and he's not increasing his amount of food that he's eating, so I'm concerned that growth is going to come to a standstill.

Any advice? I'm so upset about this I'm totally beside myself.

Also, like I said he's 7 weeks and he sleeps AT LEAST 21 - 22 hours a day. Is this normal? He was born 5 weeks early but it seems so excessive. He's never awake!

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

I don't remember exactly but my DD slept a LOT the first 2 months...

and the amount of food sounds about right

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

Totally normal for a newborn to sleep that much. You said that he is 7 weeks old, but was 5 weeks early, so his "adjusted age" is only 2 weeks.

Relax! I know its easy for me to say, but it sounds to me like he is a perfectly NORMAL 2 week old newborn.

You have to adjust for his age.


If he is gaining and thriving and sleeping and growing, then he is doing well!
Congrats!

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

If he is gaining weight and all seems well, then it is typically all well!

He seems right on target with what my DS was eating at that age. And my DS was born over 11 pounds. He did just fine! It's all about weight gain and what the pediatrician says. My DS was a small eater until about 10 months. He just liked his small meals.

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

Thanks for the reassurances. I'm so afraid I'm going to screw this kid up! I didn't realize that I'd be so anxious and nerve-racked all the time!!

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

DD slept a lot in the beginning. That's totally normal.

DD was also never a big eater. She grazed most of the day. We were never able to go to the 8oz bottles b/c even at 1yr she would only drink 4-5 oz at a time.

As long as the ped is not worried then I wouldn't worry about it.

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

I wouldn't stress. My DD wasn't a big eater, still isn't. She never took more than 20oz, then wouldn't drink milk. If he's gaining and having wet and dirty diapers don't worry.

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

Dont worry Lauren if he is thriving and has pooy and wet diapers he is FINE.. Viviana only drinks 3-4 oz at at time every 4 hours.. I give her one big bottle of formula 1 time at night so she sleep through the night.. That one is 6 oz for some reason she will almost take the whole thing.. God is good!! I get to sleep!!

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

i would not stress dd ate that at that week. it will go up soon

Re: I'm kind of freaking out a little...

Please don't freak out...he's doing great!! The Drs. are happy with his weight gain and that's what is important. Like Diana said, if he has a poopy diaper almost every change you are doing fine...

Colin was only eating about 20 ounces until the 3 month mark, then he made a jump to about 25 ounces and now at 4.5 months he's eating about 30 ounces - so your little man is not that far off.