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Name: melinda [ Original Post ] sometimes i feel like my 5 mo old is not getting enough milk. she is increasing the times a day she eats all of a sudden and she is acting hungry alot more. i thought they were soposto lower the times a day they eat as they got older. she still feeds like 7-8 times a day. ive tried to give her a bottle of formula but she refuses the bottle ( regardless of whats in it) so i have resorted to giving her 2 solid meals a day. and she is eating like almost 2 small jars a day. ?? hhhmmm .... confused... what to think. ↓

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Name: 3 time nursing mom. | Date: Feb 9th, 2006 11:34 PM

It sounds like your Little One is thriving quite well actually. She is probably about to go on a growth spurt, that's all. Keep your eye open Melinda, I bet you will notice her growing quickly out of her clothes these next couple of weeks. Then she'll slow down on eating a bit again. This happens throughout childhood. You can always see when the growth spurt is about to hit, their appetite always increases for a few days. Babies who fall under the category of 'not thriving', do so usually because they do not have an appetitie at all, and they suffer from weightloss and dehydration. If your baby has 3 or more wet diapers a day, she is not suffering from dehydration. No need to worry. All my children nursed much more then 7-8 times a day at that age. But, with the exception of my first, I didn't feed them solids so soon either, so your baby probably won't nurse quite as much as mine did. Still, I think 7-8 is well within the normal frequency. Nurse your child as much as she wants. Remember: Your baby's stomach is about the size of her fist, so that is all she is able to hold at each feeding. And breastmilk, being the perfect food for your baby, is much more easily and therefore more quickly digested then formula or solids, so she will be able to feel her tummy quicker again. Much better for baby's development. She is lucky to have such a loving mom who is willing to continue nursing. ↑

Name: Joanne | Date: Feb 10th, 2006 9:56 AM

my son was the same and the majority of his feeds were bundled in the evening...it seemed like he never stopped. Growth spurts are common and as long as the baby is increasing her weight as per quota she is doing fine....all babies are individuals don't worry. If it is becoming difficult for you try her with a cup or beaker for other fluids and observe if her feeding is a comfort thing rather than for nutrition(around her sleeps). If thats the case change her sleep routine ↑

Name: Melissa | Date: Mar 14th, 2006 3:18 AM

at this age they start to really realize their surrondings. sometimes it is hard to get them to concentrate on eating. my son eats all the time but for shorter lengths of time than he used to. my doc said that he is probably to interested in what else is going on. ↑