5 month old drinking less

[alanasmum]

My daughter is 5 months old and is bottle fed (nan formula - 5 bottles per day).

A few weeks ago she went through a very hungry phase and was having 200-220ml per feed but in the last couple of weeks she has dropped off to around 150-160ml per feed. She happily has around 100ml first go, then comes off and is reluctant to have any more. She will eventually go back on but only has around another 50ml.

I know that the guide is 120ml per kg of body weight per day after 3 months of age. I'm not sure of her current weight though. At 4 months she weighed 6.4kg so I assume she's around the 7kg mark now. So I don't think she's too far off what she should be having but I'm concerned that her appetite has changed so drastically from a couple of weeks ago. Is this normal/common? She's otherwise well, ie is her normal happy self.

Look forward to your reply.

[the pero clinic]

Dear Alanasmum,

It seems as though your daughter is taking close to the daily recommended amount of formula - and is not anything to worry about.

Perhaps her earlier increase in hunger was just related to a growth spurt and an increase in movement and activity as her motor skills developed. Some fluctuations in hunger are typical, and are generally only of concern if a baby is not feeding enough.

Otherwise, her recent decline in feeding may possibly be an indication of a need to change to a faster flowing teat. If the teat is not flowing fast enough for her strengthening suck, she may becoming frustrated with feeding or even be starting to swallow increased amounts of air – causing some tummy discomfort.

the pero clinic