Feeding Help!

oandmplus1

DD is a great baby, she is almost always happy and calm. She has had some health issues, she had a cataract removed and wears a contact, and she has reflux and is on zantac. Well, since right before her surgery at 1 month old, she has had feeding issues and I can't figure out what to do about it. She refused to nurse so now I EP.

She seems to tolerate my milk fine, hardly any spitting up anymore and no screaming while eating anymore, but she won't drink more than 1.5 - 2.5 oz at a time for us. This leads to me constantly worrying about her not getting enough in (a good day is 20 oz). She was growing well until recently because she had a cold and her intake dropped even more for a few days (she only gained 2 oz in 10 days - but the pedi said not to worry because she was sick).

She often falls asleep and I can't wake her up to eat more. Or if she is awake, she will just refuse to drink more and spits out the nipple. I have tried having her go longer, but it doesn't seem to really help, she will still only drink 2.5 oz at most at home. At daycare, somehow they seem to get her to take a 4 oz bottle, but I have never gotten her to do that at home. What can I do? I need more sleep! She is up every 3 hours still at night and eating every 1.5 - 2 hours sometimes during the day.

Dreamsicle23

It sounds like she's gotten into a cycle of snacking.  I would try to push the feedings further apart.  I think by constantly trying to feed her, you are encouraging her to just take a little at a time.  I'd really try to wait 3 hours during the day and 4-5 at night, to start with, unless she's throwing an absolute screaming fit from being hungry.