- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Preemies
How much should a 3 month old (adjusted age 5 weeks) preemie be eating???
Hello fellow preemie moms,
My son was born at 32 weeks and 6 days on 08/08/10 weighing 3 pounds and 14 ounces. Thankfully, he had no major problems besides low birth weight and being a small guy. We brought him home at 35 weeks and a little over 5 pounds on August 26th. He is now a whopping 11 pounds and 6 ounces and he will be 3 months on Monday!!!
I was breastfeeding him from the beginning, pumping and bringing milk to the nicu, until we brought him home. All of the sudden he started requiring ALOT more milk than I could produce, so I would supplement with a couple of ounces of neosure after nursing. Now, he is requiring far more milk than I can produce between his three hour feedings so we are weening him off and giving him bottles. I found that he was getting frustrated during nursing because of the lack of milk (?) or how long it was taking to feel full. He is taking between 5 and 6 ounces every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, except at night when he will sleep for about two 4 and a half hour blocks. Does that seem like a lot of formula very frequently? Could it be that he is just super hungry?
Any insight would be great.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: How much should a 3 month old (adjusted age 5 weeks) preemie be eating???
Supplementing is a slippery slope. First, you shouldn't give up on bfing. He's going through a growth spurt and if you just keep putting him to breast when he asks for it, your supply *should* adjust to accommodate his needs. Your milk also changes as he ages, so it becomes more fat/calorie laden with time. Most breastfed babies will top out at about 5 oz. per feeding (some as early as a month or two old, some later) and still drink only 5 oz. of breastmilk at a year old.
If you're weaning b/c you want to wean, then check with the formula companies for their recommended feeding sizes. Most formula fed babies will drink up to 8 oz. per serving at some point.
My girls are only eating 3-4 oz. every 3 hours. One is 7 pounds and one is 10 pounds. My 7 pound baby was IUGR.
I have a friend with a 3 month old preemie as well....and her baby was born 3#.... but is now almost 11 pounds too, like your baby. Her baby eats more than my girls...but is also on Neosure...and Neosure packs on the calories. My girls have not been on Neosure in over a month. They are on regular Similac. The Neosure gave them gas/constipation/bad reflux...and they cried and cried.
I gave up the calories....(didn't want too)...but wanted the girls to be happy and more comfortable when eating.