Newborn doesn’t eat..please offer suggestions

[Anonymous]

My 9 day old is still so sleepy and doesn’t eat much. We have to wake him for all of his feedings and he often doesn’t finish the bottle. We have been trying everything but he gets too tired and then there is nothing we can do to get him to eat. I’ve resorted to syringe feeding at times just to get in the calories. Feedings can take up to 1.5 hours. His pediatrician is not happy with his progress and said he may need to be readmitted to the hospital if he doesn’t regain his birth weight. What can we do to get him to take his full feedings?

[Anonymous]

How much are you putting in his bottle? He may need to eat smaller amounts more often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much are you putting in his bottle? He may need to eat smaller amounts more often.

The pediatrician said 2oz per feed every 2.5 hours. She said 18-22oz a day but ideally get him to 20oz. He is taking 1-1.5oz only. It’s a struggle to get him to eat more. He’s been eating 12-16oz only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are you putting in his bottle? He may need to eat smaller amounts more often.

The pediatrician said 2oz per feed every 2.5 hours. She said 18-22oz a day but ideally get him to 20oz. He is taking 1-1.5oz only. It’s a struggle to get him to eat more. He’s been eating 12-16oz only.

My kid, who ended up with severe reflux, but it wasn't diagnosed at that age, was taking about an ounce. I had to feed him every hour.

Maybe try smaller, more frequent feedings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are you putting in his bottle? He may need to eat smaller amounts more often.

The pediatrician said 2oz per feed every 2.5 hours. She said 18-22oz a day but ideally get him to 20oz. He is taking 1-1.5oz only. It’s a struggle to get him to eat more. He’s been eating 12-16oz only.

My kid, who ended up with severe reflux, but it wasn't diagnosed at that age, was taking about an ounce. I had to feed him every hour.

Maybe try smaller, more frequent feedings?

We have tried frequent smaller feeding and even extending the feedings until 3 hours. He refuses to eat before 2 hours and will still take the same amount at 3 hours. We have to let him rest and nap in between feeding so he has enough energy to eat at his next feed.

[Anonymous]

Ped gi. Try different formulas.

[Anonymous]

My mom would do warm oil Ayurvedic infant massage called Shishu Abhyanga (did it in a warm room, HVAC shut off) to my newborn three times a day. My kid would usually end up pooping because of the massage and then be ravenously hungry. It is a very easy massage technique. I am sure that there are youtube videos on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ped gi. Try different formulas.

He is eating pumped milk only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom would do warm oil Ayurvedic infant massage called Shishu Abhyanga (did it in a warm room, HVAC shut off) to my newborn three times a day. My kid would usually end up pooping because of the massage and then be ravenously hungry. It is a very easy massage technique. I am sure that there are youtube videos on it.

I will look it up. I give him a baby massage at night and he does eat a little better at that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ped gi. Try different formulas.

He is eating pumped milk only.

There’s something in your milk he doesn’t like. Either your diet needs or adjusting, or more likely, you need to find a formula that does. Fed is best.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried different bottles and nipples? If he's having to work too hard to drink a faster flow might help; if he's struggling to swallow what's coming out he might need a slower flow. I don't know of a lactation consultant or other specialist who could look at how your baby sucks and swallows but it might be worth asking your pediatrician or people who live near you for recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ped gi. Try different formulas.

He is eating pumped milk only.

That’s good. About what temperature is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ped gi. Try different formulas.

He is eating pumped milk only.

There’s something in your milk he doesn’t like. Either your diet needs or adjusting, or more likely, you need to find a formula that does. Fed is best.

He likes my milk plenty but thanks for the very rude comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried different bottles and nipples? If he's having to work too hard to drink a faster flow might help; if he's struggling to swallow what's coming out he might need a slower flow. I don't know of a lactation consultant or other specialist who could look at how your baby sucks and swallows but it might be worth asking your pediatrician or people who live near you for recommendations.

We have one other but I hated all the parts. We use the Avent Glass bottles. Slowest flow nipple I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ped gi. Try different formulas.

He is eating pumped milk only.

That’s good. About what temperature is it?

We heat up the milk to body temp. It goes from fridge in the bottle warmer for 2 minutes. I’ve also fed colder and he didn’t seem like it mattered.