Topic: 2months and not eating
maraskia74's photo
Mon 10/20/08 09:06 PM
ive posted on here before about my son not eating.

he will be 2 months on the 22nd. he was born 3 weeks premature. he was 9 pounds 10 oz at birth and had low blood suger and was in nicu for 4 days. hes been in the hospital 4 days, the er twice, his doctors 3 times. all test and normal, they changed his formula, and put him on zantac for reflux. he weights 14 pounds 3 ounces.

hes gaining weight but he wakes up screaming, does like being touched at times, refuses his bottle, he eats about 10 to 12 ounces a day, and i started feeding him applesauce because he wont eat.

iam i over reacting or do you think theres a problem ?

he is my second child.

pooky77's photo
Mon 10/20/08 09:09 PM
I don't think you are over reacting. Have you gone on the physician websites and tried to do some research yourself if the Dr's aren't helping?

A_charmed_life's photo
Mon 10/20/08 09:13 PM
Hi maraskia -

I would definately keep an eye on the little guy, record frequencies and types of diaper changes - want to make sure he's hydrated. Maybe I am a bit uptight, but I would follow Pooky's advice and even consider calling a nurses hotline, etc. to calm the worries any parent might have under the same set of circumstances.

johncarl's photo
Mon 10/20/08 09:14 PM
sounds like my daughter she was colic and it will ware on you.she was sick more then normal for 5 years.and has asthma. now she is fine at 7.she has only taken one nap in 7 years for 2 hours. i love her to death. i hope it works out but i am no way a doctor but i did have the same stuff happen to me. she was normal birth though.flowerforyou

maraskia74's photo
Mon 10/20/08 09:15 PM
i called one of the nurses hot lines they told me take him to the er and the er sent me home but i'll gonna try looking up the symptoms on my own thanks

grneyedldy1967's photo
Mon 10/20/08 09:16 PM
Do not go to webmd or any other sites.. by the time you finish you'll be freaking out over nothing. When a patient of mine comes in saying they have this and that because webmd told them so I tell them to stay off of that site! Maybe you should find a new pediatrician...

maraskia74's photo
Mon 10/20/08 09:20 PM
ive been told to get a second opinion i think iam going too

no photo
Mon 10/20/08 10:33 PM
I had a child early,And i can say that they are a rollercoaster ride for sure.Mine was 4lbs2oz.They told me that the bigger babies had a little more problems.But do fine too.Keep at the doctor untill you find the answers.Good luck!In ten yrs you will look back and would never trade any of it.But would not want to do it again.flowers flowers

SitkaRains's photo
Wed 10/22/08 02:36 PM
First of all I am amazed that a 9 pound baby was a preemie that is a huge baby. I also don't think you should be feeding a baby applesauce if he is having formula issues,reflux issues that is a dicey thing.
I know my eldest was a colic baby and well it was hell for 4 months no one slept much.
This child is gaining wt. I would get a second opinion.
But if he is gaining weight normally which from the sounds of it he is so he has to be eating period.
I think maybe a parent support group would be in order.
Also are you relaxed when you pick him up I mean a baby is more intune with body language verbal and nonverbal and if you are uptight when you pick him up he would naturally be more fussy.

I think you should take him for another opinion and see what they have to say.
This time around write out each complaint concisely and logically so that the medical staff know what they are dealing with instead of giving the impression they are dealing with a fussy baby and stressed out mom.
I am not bashing you at all so please forgive me if I have come across to harsh.

no photo
Wed 10/22/08 04:07 PM
In my opinion, the baby is way too young for solid foods. Their digestive tracts aren't fully developed yet, this could be a big part of what's causing problems. I'd take him off the solids, switch to soy formula and stock up on simethicone drops (Mylecon). If he's getting bad gas, which is common in babies, especially preemies, this will help.

But, he's gaining weight and isn't dehydrated. So, he's definitely getting nutrition. It may not be what you are comfortable with but it's what he is comfortable with and that's what's important.

Get a second opinion, too, of course, to set your mind at ease but it sounds from what you've said that it probably isn't anything serious.

My boyfriend said to tell you he used a tiny bit of molasses in his daughter's bottle when she had similar problems. I guess there's something in the molasses that's soothing to their tummies.

Good luck

hellkitten54's photo
Wed 10/22/08 04:52 PM
The emergency room if for emergencies only. Not because one night a baby doesn't eat. I think you need to listen to the girl a couple of posts up. If the baby weighed almost 10 pounds at birth, sounds to me like the baby was on time and your due date was wrong. More than likely you were over due!!


iceprincess's photo
Wed 10/22/08 04:54 PM
Edited by iceprincess on Wed 10/22/08 04:59 PM
Applesauce has a lot of acid in it............not a good thing to be giving a two month old. If your really worried give him hypoallergenic formula and check with the dr about maybe giving some baby rice or oatmeal but definitly not table food. 14lbs at 2 months is a really good weight. But if your worried try a pediatric specialist.

Sounds like he may be colicy my daughter was for the first 3 months of life and she was 6 weeks premature. we used to have to hold her and do squats for about 2.5hrs everynight to get her to calm down and go to sleep............I had an awesome ass....LOL may want to try it colicy babies love "white noise" and smooth constant motion.

iceprincess's photo
Wed 10/22/08 04:55 PM
Edited by iceprincess on Wed 10/22/08 04:58 PM
sorry double post.......:)

hellkitten54's photo
Wed 10/22/08 05:21 PM
Is he urinating and pooing diapers? Write down everything, and when there is something he does that your concerned about, write it down to and then take it to the doctor. DEMAND that they do more. Believe me when I say that I've had a lot of problems with my son and his breathing. But I finally got fed up and took him to the childrens hospital and refused to leave until they did something for him and diagnosed him. I now know he has asthma and severe allergies to certain things and I haven't had a problem since. You can't trust doctors to give you the right answers ever. Always trust your gut and demand them to do their job.

PacificStar48's photo
Wed 10/22/08 06:01 PM
If your baby is two months old and gained that much weight I would say it is possible that you are giving a little too much per feeding and maybe overwhelming his tummy. I would suggest smaller feedings more often. Especially if he was premie which means some of his systems are going to be a little slower to develope. Specificlly his nervous system.

Swaddleing may help the latter issue. Avoid drafts. Or fumes from cosmetics or or cleaners. I would also avoid clothes that might irritate his skin. DO NOT put softener on his clothes. If your skin is really sensitive fragrance and chemicals hurt like and electrical shock. My experience is about the only smell babys like is the ones that smell naturaly like Mommy hot and sweaty from labor. Put one of your t-shirts on his baby carrier and unless it is really soiled don't change it.

If your baby is waking up screaming and a lot of reflux I would sooner think it is something he is eating or drinking than not eating. If he were hungry it would be a slower realizaton where he starts squirming and quietly fussing and sucking.

I would start with giving him only the new formula for two days and see if his going to be tolerated. It might take a while for him to pass the previous formula from his system so don't look for things to settle down. Giveing filtered non-floridated water between each bottle will help flush and hydrate his system. My guess he is a little dehydrated and having muscle gramps. If he is allergic and doing a lot of mouth breathing he could be. If your other other child has any allergies I would assume that this one will too. I would certainly research if the formula you are giving your baby is recommended for a premie baby or a baby that has low blood sugar issues. If you are not having your baby seen by a pediatrician that has extensive experience with premeeies I would defintely ask for a second opinion and or a referral to a specialist. If what you baby was put on by a general doctor or and ER Doctor I would question it because they might not be current. I think somewhere you said one of your kids is asthmatic so I would avoid any formula that has milk or wheat fillers. You may have to special order iron free formula. If this is a financial hardship talk to the WIC Supervisor and they will access it for you.

Seeing how much this baby has been through it seems reasonable that he doesn't want to be touched. He associates being touched with pain. Try just being near him and let him nuzzle. Don't immediately turn on lights, or remove his diaper or wipe his eyes or all those fussy Mommy things we naturally do. Let him learn that you are comfort.

Are you over reacting? No darling you are EXHAUSTED! You are 8 weeks post partum! And it doesn't sound like you have had a moments peace. Look how much you have on your plate. Two kids. Pets. I assume a job. A home to maintain. I haven't read your profile lately but I am willing to bet even more responsibilities. I am tempted to get on a plane and come put your little tussy to bed for a week. Get some rest and I willing to bet your anxiety will go down. If you are having trouble sleeping you have to practice good sleep habits. If you need it let the doctor give you something short term for sleep. AVOID booze or over the counter stuff it will just make you feel worse.

And your baby knows your exhausted. They pick up on that kind of bone tiredness. You want him to relax and eat you need to set down put your feet up and rest at least 30 minutes before each attempt at feeding. Let your tempo relax and rejuveinate and you will have a lot better reception.

I know you are going to say "I can't I have too....". This is a special situation and you need some help. Contact your local United Way and ask them to resource you. It is quite possible if you see your doctor and get a prescription for respite your Child Welfare agency will get you some short term In Home Support Services to do some of the "chores" while you rest. Many churches has daycare and will help Mother's in crisis with short term scholarship care. You are a pet lover ask your local pet shelter with help covering care and costs. Just provideing pet chow will free some money for other needs. I wouldn't rule out asking for food stuffs and redirecting some money for help. Part of the food that is donated is donated so families can make those sometime critical choices.

Will say I am praying for you and your family. You get stuck let me know and I can address specifics.



Many babies are allergic to apples and it makes them really gasy so I would wait until he is at least a year to reintroduce that food.

no photo
Wed 10/22/08 06:09 PM
Insist they send you to a gastroenterologist. Check your insurance, you may be not even need a referral. It still may take trials of different formulas to find the right one for him. Our docs did have us use a tiny bit of baby cereal early on in the bottles just to add weight to the formula so it's more likely to stay down, but I would also say stay away from the foods at this point.

They are right, trust your gut instinct if you feel something is wrong. Babies who have reflux can be very irritable because the reflux causes pain. If the baby is hoarse, it's a good chance he's having reflux.

I really think you need to let a specialist have a look at him and help you get a game plan going. You will feel so much better knowing you have someone in your corner.

Good Luck!

no photo
Wed 10/22/08 10:00 PM
does he have a milk allergy

my youngest was like this and was put on a lactose free formula
the soy made it worse

as for cereal I would stick with rice
mix it in a bowl with formula and spoon feed him
don't use a bottle, they choke easily

as for being too young my child weighed 16.8 pounds at 2 months
I had to start feeding cereal because my child was the size of a 6 month old and stayed hungry

I hope you can find something that will work for you soon

Good luck...

maraskia74's photo
Wed 10/22/08 10:06 PM
thanks everyone


as of yesterday his doctor put him on a rice formula he likes it better and ate 4 5 oz bottles today. he has a well check tomorrow so hopefully, no more changes for a while

PacificStar48's photo
Fri 10/24/08 12:04 AM
Glad things are getting better. You focus on getting yourself some rest now. (((HUGS)))