Baby Not Eating Much

My daughter had reflux. We gave her liquid versions (RX by doc) of Prilosec and Zantac. She was over it by 6 mos age. I've also heard (this sounds strange...(but I've heard from multiple parents...after the fact when we no longer dealt with it) that chiropractors can help. I've also heard of a formula that is supposed to help, nutromoigen
**raglan/reglan is something you want to research. We were going to use it, but it has some serious risks.

Small, frequent feedings are a must for reflux babies. When she turns her head, stop and try again in a short little bit. Also, make sure to burp very frequently throughout the feedings, even if she doesn't seem to be eating very much. Air can take up a lot of room in tummies, esp bottle fed babies.
She is a lucky little girl to have such a wonderful, caring Grandpa. :)

My first was a preemie and he was born 6 weeks early. He ate often and little as far as oz. each time. I would say about 2 oz. at the most and it took him a long time to drink it. Then he ate again about the time he got the first bottle down since it took so long. I would feed less but often. They have little stomachs and so filling it too full can cause it to come back up, maybe causing the reflux. It could be failure to thrive. I doubt that it is but you should keep that in mind and be sure a doctor is aware of that as a possibility, but if you have a good doctor I'm sure they will be keeping an eye on it. Her mom should not worry because babies pick up on that sort of thing too, even little preemies. Her attitude helps the baby feel safe and secure and know she's loved too.

My question is this - how often does she eat? Sometimes reflux babies don't like to eat too much at one time, because when they do, it causes heartburn. So - common advice for parents of babies with reflux is to feed half as much as normal, but twice as often.

For example, a non-reflux baby might take 4 ounces every 4 hours. So a reflux baby should be fed 2 ounces every 2 hours. You say she's only taking 1.5 ounces, but that's not too far off from the 2 ounce goal, as long as she's being fed every 2 hours or so.

I'm guess your family has already tried this, but it's all I can think of. Sending good wishes your way.

She sounds like a little sweetheart.

Please, please remember that your granddaughter, being so young and tiny, shouldn't be eating a lot at her age. Her stomach is only the size of her fist. 1 1/2 to 2 ounces is a lot of formula/pumped breastmilk to take in. If she has reflux that's being treated, she'll keep more of it down. She also should still only be eating between every 2 or 3 hours. Feed her whenever she starts to show cues and signs of hunger.

As long as the baby appears happy and is gaining weight, and is hitting most of her typical milestones she should be fine. I would listen to the doctors and those trying to reassure you. You don't want to overfeed the baby, because you would be teaching her to ignore her own body's signals letting her know when she feels full and that would NOT be a good situation.

EDIT: I thought I mentioned this, but I agree that it's imperative to see a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. They can best treat your tiny granddaughter. And please have your granddaughter's mommy see her primary care physician so that she can get a referral to a psychiatrist to deal with Post Partum Depression. She doesn't have to cope with PPD alone. Take it from a mom who wishes she had received treatment much, much sooner than she did.

Hey, Welcome to Mamapedia and thank you for joining the dads on here!!!! If she refuses to eat much try feeding more often. Also ask the pedi if she is lacking b12. Also could the nipples be to hard for her to get milk out of? she could be getting discouraged.

Again thanks for coming on!

It sounds like 'failure to thrive'. What did they suggest doing because of the acid reflux? Did they change her to a gentle formula or a soy formula? Does she burp well when being fed? My youngest was very hard to burp. It took a long time, but if I didn't get one out of him, he sometimes wouldn't continue eating.

If this continues, the baby's parents will have to find a specialist that can work with them. She may require tube feedings if she's not getting enough nourishment.

Best wishes!

3 weeks premature is not that much. She sounds like she is in the single digit percentiles and you are right to be concerned. I think you need to feed her every 2 hours or more often and keep her elevated after eating. I also think her parents need to pressure the doctors more to find out what is wrong because of her tiny size she is very vulnerable.

M., you've gotten some really good advise here. Please help your daughter get a pediatric gastroenterologist on board with Lila's care. It's really important to do this so that she doesn't lose brain development while she is so little.

Gamma has given you some really good pointers. If your current doctor isn't having you do some of what Gamma is talking about, you are with the wrong doctor.

Another thing to do is to get your daughter as much help as she needs. A stressed-out mother can translate into a stressed out baby. A calm and happy homelife is important to help baby, along with what the doctors can do to help her tummy.

Wishing you and your daughter and grandbaby all the best as you all get through this tough time.

Dawn