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How To Determine If Milk Intake By Infant Is Sufficient For Its Growth?

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Posted on Thu, 14 Jan 2016
Question: Our baby is 3 months old. She is on formula feed (Nan pro 1) . Her milk intake was alright for the first 2.5 months wherein she used to take 600 ml of milk daily.

But since last 15-20 days her milk intake has come down drastically and she hardly takes 400ml per day. While feeding she takes the 1st 30ml quickly and then tries to remove the nipple from her mouth. Then when we again try to give her milk she cries a lot and pushes the nipple out . Her total feeding session gets completed in approx 45min to 1 hr wherein she keeps taking small small amount after we force her . We have also tried to give her small amount every 2 hrs but she doesnt takes the same

She passes lots of gas while taking milk. We normally give her colic aid.

We are worried about her growth and weight gain now. Please advice how to increase her milk intake.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please answer the questions below

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. I understand your concern. I have a few questions.

Questions:
1. What was the birth weight and what is the current weight?
2. How many times does she pass urine per day?
3. How many times does she pass motion per day or how many days once she passes motion?
4. Every time she feeds does she pass small quantity of motion?
5. Is there any vomiting recurrently?

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (18 minutes later)
1. birth weight _ 2.75 kg
current weight _ 6 kg
weight gain was good in the first two months but in the last 15 days weight gain was only 300 gms

2. 7-8 times

3. since last 10 days she passes motion every alternate day whereas she used to pass motion everyday earlier

4. No

5. No Vomitting
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Baby's weight gain is excellent - please do not worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi....your baby's weight gain is excellent. A normal baby with a birth weight of 2.75 should be 5.5 kg by 5 months of age. Your baby is already 6kg by 3 months. So do not worry about her weight gain.

The hypothalamus in brain controls the milk intake or feed intake in anybody. It's the satiety center.

AN ACTIVE BABY IS A WELL BABY.

She's passing urine also adequately. It's usual for any formula fed baby to pass motion like this as age progresses. So do not worry.

Now coming to the colic part you have mentioned -

This is called evening colic and is quite common in this age group. This happens when the baby sucks at the breast very fast and in eagerness to drink milk will gulp in air too. Unless the air comes out like burping or flatus this discomfort will be there and next time check if the baby is sucking too fast and gulping in air too. You will be more convinced. Usually I don't advice any medicines for this as they give only temporary relief.

The two best ways to relieve this distress is -
1. Do not put the baby in lying position after feeding till the baby burps out the swallowed air.
2. If still crying - put the baby in prone position and keep patting the back gently so that the baby passes off the flatus and gets relieved.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)
Thanx for ur reply. Would request you to please address the following concerns too
1. How much formula should a 3 months baby weighing 6 kg take in a day?
2. Is it normal for a baby to be without milk for 5 to 6 hrs? as she sleeps overnight for 6 hrs without asking for milk and we feed her when she demands
3. Since she passes too much gas is there any medicine which can be given to her for the same
4. She is taking Nanpro 1 at present. so should we give her some other formula like similac sensitive or isomeal (soya) to reduce gas formation?
5.What should we do when she takes just 30 ml and starts crying and refuses to take bottle in her mouth ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Queries about baby feeding..solutions suggested

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

1. Maximum 500-575 ml per day... But its not practically feasible, unless on intravenous fluids. So we need to be contented if the baby is gaining weight aptly and passing urine well.

2. It's normal to sleep for 5-6 hours.

3. No medicines for gas as its a natural phenomenon.

4. Please do not change formula as she's well adjusted and gaining weight well.

5. Just try to console her by lullabies or rocking... Do not force feed.

Hope you are happy with our interaction...If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help.

You can approach me at the following link. In this way even in health care magic you can follow up always with a single doctor who knows the history of your kid completely.

Please find the link below - 
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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How To Determine If Milk Intake By Infant Is Sufficient For Its Growth?

Brief Answer: Please answer the questions below Detailed Answer: Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. I understand your concern. I have a few questions. Questions: 1. What was the birth weight and what is the current weight? 2. How many times does she pass urine per day? 3. How many times does she pass motion per day or how many days once she passes motion? 4. Every time she feeds does she pass small quantity of motion? 5. Is there any vomiting recurrently? Regards - Dr. Sumanth