Not taking bottles as well at home

Million$$Baby

(XP on SAIF) 

So I have a question about Charlie's feedings. Since he's been home he seems like he's constantly hungry, yet he's not eating as much each feeding as I think he did in the NICU. He's averaging about 75 ml every four hours - in the NICU he'd take closer to 90-100 ml per feeding. And it's taking him FOREVER to eat - like 40 minutes to take the 75 ml. He was put on Enfamil AR right before discharge (because that's what Lily is getting) which I know is thick, so tonight I gave him his bottle with regular Similac, but he was still pokey and only took 60 ml before falling asleep. Both formulas are mixed with equal parts breast milk. I don't know if maybe he's just tired - I feel like he hasn't slept well since he's been home - or it's that he's gassy... Any suggestions? Thanks!

stillhoping

You should never change his formula without talking to the doctor first. It could be that he is just loosing interest. Try and keep him alert. Stroking his hand, rubbing his head, and even his throat as he eats. I do not understand the mixing of formula with breast milk but it has been five years since I had my preemies. 

We were also feeding every three hours and not every four.. Sorry I was of no help

mrspaul07

Lily ate every 3 hours but did not eat as well when she first came home either.  She was extremely gassy so we switched her to Similac Sensitive and it made a big difference.  We also used the Y-cut nipples, because we thickened her formula with simply thick for a couple months, which made feedings faster and easier for her.  Good luck!

By the way, I check your blog often to see how Charlie and Lily are doing.  I pray for you guys often!  I am so glad that Charlie is home and I'm sure Lily will be home soon!

KellyMichelle

Did you switch the type of bottles you used?  DS did well with the NICU bottles, but it took us a while to find a bottle he liked at home.  We ended up with Dr. Brown's.  I gave mylicon for gassiness and it helped DS.  I think some of it is also just adjusting to being in a different environment.   Good luck.

ssg73

We had a similar problem with Ella when she came home.  We switched from the hospital slow flow nipples to Dr Browns w/preemie nipple.  This has helped with the gas.  We also put ella down in her bouncy or swing if she get too sleepy to take the bottle.  This wakes her up (she gets plenty mad) and she can then finish the bottle.  She has also bounced around a bit with volume.  Some times she takes 60 sometimes 90.  We can never tell.  I also think that it is adjustment to being home.  She isn't sleeping great either and I think this is throwing her eating off a bit.  Hope this helps.

s.s.girl

We had the same problem with Emerson when she came home it was a nightmare trying to get her to take a bottle and it would take forever for her to finish it. The only thing that helped was time and we switched to Dr. Brown's bottles. Eventually, she just got better at it. I'm not really sure why there was a regression when she came home vs. her time in the NICU. Good luck I hope Charlie eats better for you soon.?

clyoungsey

We had the same thing happen.  Gunner was constantly taking 60 ml at the hospital, but when we got home he dropped to 45-50 ml.  I nuerotically wrote down every ml he took in and drove myself crazy worrying about it, setting the alarm to make sure he ate every three hours.  He still takes less than what he ate at the hospital, but he is triple + his birthweight and thriving like crazy.

They told me that they put them on a reverse diet while in the hospital, making sure if they go home and eat less they will still grow and gain.

I follow your blog also and think about your family often.  You guys are amazing!  So glad Charlie is home and hope Lily is soon to follow!

beachgirl1977

I have no advice for you, but I just want to say I have been following your blog since my SIL's water broke with her triplets at 23 weeks. I found your blog to be an inspiration and gave us hope that things could work out. I was so happy to see that Charlie was home. Best wishes!

PS I also think we were married at the same place- the staircase in your blog looks very familiar! 

littlewonders

Hey Brooke! Having those LOs home after being in the NICU for so long is stressful, I remember it very well. Liana was a t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e eater ... I think part of that is just being a preemie. So hang in there. When is / was their due date? I know things got a lot better for us once they hit their due date, the stars just start to align. And since they were so early, it might even take a little longer. Until then, try to not drive yourself crazy. Make sure he has weight checks regularly (but I do not recommend weighing him at home every day or even every other day) ... you might be surprised how well he gains. If he seems hungry / awake after 3 hours, I might just try and feed him more often. After 4 hours, make sure you get him as awake as possible - lights on, stroking his head, etc. Diddo the bottles idea. If you've switched bottles / nipples from what he was using in the NICU, that could definitely be part of the problem. We also ended up with the Dr. Brown, they seem to work best. Lastly, just give him a little more time ... all the new stuff and excitement at home is very stimulating and exhausting for him, and that might show in his feeding efforts for a little while.

 

Million$$Baby

Thanks everyone! We are using the Avent bottles, but I brought them into the NICU a few weeks ago for Charlie and Lily to get used to so they are the same bottles they've been taking. Charlie has been sound asleep for almost 2 1/2 hours now, which I think is the longest consecutive sleep he's had since he's been home. So hopefully his next feeding will go well!

And beachgirl - I got married at a restaurant called La Villa in Hamilton, NJ. Are you from the area?

choice2make

Hi Brooke - good to see the LO's are home!!  I need to check your blog   I think it's environment - all new smells and sounds, just different stimuli ya know?  Laura was a little slow at eating at first too.  And she was only on 25ccs when she came home.  Heck she's still not to 100cc's still.  But as long as Charlie is eating, he's not starving, it's when he's not eating at all that should be of concern.

Congratulations on being home!

SWMcFarland

First, I have been going crazy wanting to post and congratulate you on Charlie's homecoming!  Your blog is the first thing I check in the mornings. 

I have changed formula without talking to the doctors, and since you went back to what you were using before I definitely don't see it as a problem!  The AR may be just too much for him, now that he is home, especially if he didn't really need it!  :-)

Don't forget about him being in a whole new environment.  That makes a huge difference...

Just saw what choice2make said about environment and I completely agree!  Plus, since he is more comfy at home, and the AR helps keep it heavier in their tummy, this may be his new pattern because he is staying full.  Since you switched back to the old stuff, give it a few days for the AR to get out of his system!

Anyway, congrats again.  Can't wait to read that Lily is home too!!!

lemen99

When Andrew first came home he had an adjustment period.  Also, he was taking so long to eat (getting too tired) so we switched him to a level 2 flow (typically for 3 month olds) Dr. Brown's nipples and he ate much faster.  You'll know if they can't handle a faster nipple flow if they choke or milk runs down their mouth. 

Also, be sure to burp really well and mylicon is helpful to make sure you get all the burps out!

I hope you figure it out!

beachgirl1977

I got married at La Villa also- I knew that staircase looked the same. I grew up in that area but have since moved closer to the shore

mek10976

Are you using the same nipples/flow as the NICU?  When we brought DS home, we started using the Born Free bottles that we had gotten for our shower.  It took him forever to eat and he would fall asleep.  Turns out the flow was too slow and he was getting tired.  The NICU had us using a medium flow nipple and the bottles came with a slow flow, so we had to by some medium ones.

borc0080

I was so nervous when we brought DD home because for a while, she didn't eat well at all.  It was a huge relief when her first appointment showed that she was gaining weight just fine.  I'm no expert, but I think the change of environment throws them off a bit.  Hopefully it will just be a matter of time before your LO is eating nicely again!