HV advice...need advice!

[Urchin]

Hiya

I went to clinic today to get Brody weighed, he's gone slightly under the 50th centile line now. I'd like him to be a bit heavier obviously but he's moving around so much he must be burning loads of calories.

The HV asked how his appetite is, and I said he has 3 meals a day, but quantity wise he doesn't have that much. As an example of how much he has, he has approx a 3-4 ice cubes or a 4month jars worth of savory then say a petit filous for pudding. Milk wise he has BM in the day and about 4 oz of formula before bed. He'll still wake about twice in the night for a small feed.

The HV suggested I stop feeding at night, and give him water instead.
I don't want to do this as I don't think he has enough milk already, without denying him more.
She reckoned that stopping his night feeds will give him more appetite for solids in the day. I can kind of see the logic,but it feels wrong.


What do you guys think??

 

[Kim]

I think what he is eating in the day is quite a lot anyway. Rubie doesn't eat half that amount. If he is waking for a feed in the night he obviously needs it. I would assume he will just stop when he is ready??

 

[beanie]

I agree. I don't like the idea of giving water if you are breastfeeding as you don't know what they are getting. He is eating more then Seren is at the moment but if he is so active what more can you do????

 

[Lucy]

Hi Urchin

I'm afraid I don't have any advice but wanted to let you know that our HV also gives out that advice - She was saying that if my friend offered her wee boy water during the night instead of a BF then he would stop waking up in the night but take the milk plus his solids in the day. My friend hasn't tried it yet because they're in the process of moving house and staying with relatives as well so she wants as little disruption at night as possible (giving him a quick bf at night is easier for her).

Maybe its worth trying it for a couple of nights and see how/what he takes during the day and if it makes a difference to him waking at night?

Lucy

 

[hearts81]

I agree with Kim.

Reece has his big tea at around 6ish then a bottle of milk in bed at 8 and sleeps all night...then eats loads all day.

My friends baby who is 4 days older than Reece cant even manage a full 4 month jar and although he has 3 meals a day altogether they will probably be equal to 1 of Reeces meals lol

So i wouldn't give Brody water, his eating is fine

 

[emilia]

Urchin, Oscar has 2 cubes of banana with his cereal made up with 50ml formula. 4 Cubes of veg for lunch plus fresh fruit.
4 Cubes for dinner plus 2 cubes fruit & yoghurt.

Oscar has a huge appetite and dispite all the above that he eats, I still bf him before all his meals and plenty during the rest of the day. He's weight is around the 25th centile.

I get the impression that Brody is just going through a super active stage and is more interested in discovering the unknown than sitting still to eat a meal. I wouldn't worry too much - I'm quite sure that Brody will soon rediscover his appetite. He still seems a good weight for his age and he's never come accross a wee skinny boy.
The waking through the night is tiresome, but like you say, you think he can do with that milk. I personally think that the milk is more important than the appetite for solids... I could be wrong!

Emilia xx

 

[Yvonne]

What she was probably trying to say was the more he eats in the day he is less likely to wake in the night.

I wouldn't give Jack water instead of milk! no way he needs the calories.. he's a growing boy!

He has 3 meals a day the equivelant of 3/4 of a jar for breky, the same for dinner and a yoghurt, but i give him larger amounts for tea and then a bottle before bed and he sleeps right through.

You know your child hun, if you think he is having enough.

 

[beanie]

Urchin, it is normal for breastfed babies to have a slower weight fgain when they get older. Is he being measured using the formula centiles??

 

[Duds]

I think he is eating quite alot, Aimee is not even on half that. As long as you feel he is getting enough (which sounds like he is) then I wouldnt worry too much, it just depends on the baby.. Aimee doesnt eat much anymore & currently wont eat any solids apart from fruit and she is still a fatty!

Its up to you re the night thing, I can understand what the HV is saying as they shouldnt need a feed in the night at this age & are only supposed to wake if they havent had enought during the day or are going through a growth spurt. Im a bit selfish with my nights & will refrain from feeding aimee unless I really have to... I try the dummy first then water etc as it can become habit.

If you feel he needs it at night then go with your gut feeling
x