Two Week Old Grandbaby

C.;
I am a first time grand mother and it is really hard not to worry. I as well has been yrs since i had a little one..9My baby is 35).
Well why is the baby on medication like aoxicillian?
If he isn`t feeling good just like us we won`t eat or sleep as well right?
If the drs. keep on it and weight the baby every week and see what`s going on?? My niece went thru this with her son...but she was breast feeding and couldn`t tell how much he was taking...As long as on top of it and baby is filling his pants no need to worry too-much..Also it depends how much he weighed at birth? Stomachs are just so tiny...
I hope i helpyed you a bit..
Take care D. Z from Boynton Beach

Hi,
If your son and daughter in law are stressed about how much he is eating; invest in a baby scale and have them weigh him every few days to make sure he is gaining weight. Most babies will wake up and eat when they are hungry and eat as much as they want. With that said if he has a cold it is more difficult to suck and breathe at the same time so keep him more upright and make sure his nose is clear. (may need to bulb syringe the boogies out). Good Luck.

First things first. Is baby drinking formula or breastmilk? Breastmilk digest quickly and would explain why baby is eating frequently. Formula "holds" a baby's hunger a bit longer, but not by much longer. Every baby is different so it's important to understand that when the doctor says that baby should be eating so much, it's just a guideline. Baby may eat more or less depending on growth spurts, illness, teething, etc. Your son and daughter in law should not be stressing if baby is gaining weight. The true indicator is when baby doesn't gain weight ~ then you surely know that baby isn't getting enough to eat. Frequent Wet/soiled diapers are also an indicator that baby is getting enough to eat. Illness will decrease a baby's appetite and if baby has a sore throat, eating will also be affected.

Your son and daughter in law, I am assuming, have spoken to the pediatrician about their concerns? If not, I would encourage them to speak up. Baby is a newborn so how was his weight gain at his 2 week check up and how much has he gained since? He will be going back to the pediatricain for his first shots in a month or two so if they are deeply concerned about their baby's progress, they must see the pediatrician sooner than later. I wouldn't worry but DO ask them to go to the pediatrician so that they can address their concerns. Just reassure them that when the doctor said that baby should be eating 2 ounces every two hours, it is simply a guideline. It's not an exact science. Baby will eat when he's hungry, and likewise, will refuse to eat when he's full. Just to be certain he doesn't have any other issues going on, it's important to communicate all concerns with the doctor.

Good Morning,

I know exactly what their going through!!! My daughter was born Oct. 15 we were sent home 2 days later. Two days after that found out she had jaundice, but luckily it didn't get high that she went back in, but a week later took her to the doctor for a follow up and the doc sent us to the ER. She had RSV which is like the flu, but worse for little ones because they can't get the junk up and out. I would have your grand baby tested for that because it's that time of year for the stuff. If he's at the hospital they should have a special sucky thing that sucks the boogies out that will help him breath better. If they don't then you need to get him transferred to a children's hospital. I'd suggest they suck the boogies out right before he eats and it helps greatly. How long has he been sick? If it is RSV day 5 is the worse then it gets better!!!! As far a eating goes, baby's eat at their own rates, but I know how that is with the doctors they want them eating a certain amount before they will discharge and then they like to change their minds. It really is an emotional rollercoaster!!!! My advice for that is to get out of the hospital for a few minutes and get fresh air.... cry, cry, and cry some more it really help relieve some of those pent up emotions expecally right after having a baby... and ask for help in a speedy recovery from the man upstairs!!!! Let them know that things will get better it just takes a little time and just surround them with love. As soon as they can get their little guy home he'll do much better and grow like they never thought he would. I wish you guys good luck and God bless!!!!

Did they rule out any problems. Maybe Peloric Stenosis?
What do the doctors say.

What the doctors tell people is a guideline for what the majority of babies need. Every baby is different. At two weeks, he's still getting the hang of eating. And having a cold makes anyone, regardless of age, more likely to eat less and want to rest more. There's nothing wrong with that.
If they continue to feed him as you stated, he will be fine. When he starts getting over his cold, he'll start eating more. Right now it's more important to calm the fears of his parents. He's getting some nutrition. Have them offer him a small bottle every couple hours and see if he'll eat any. He may suck for a little bit and then quit, but it will add up over the day.
Try to keep his nose clear. The saline drops and a nasal asparator should work pretty well. If he's got a stuffy head and can't breathe well when he sucks, he's less likely to want to eat. When they're feeding him, try to keep his head higher than the rest of his body. Almost like a sitting position but slightly reclined. And then after he eats a bit, put him belly down with head on a shoulder like he's being burped. He'll probably fall asleep that way. Instead of laying him flat, keep him inclined so that it helps with his head being stuffy.
And just reassure the parents that he's going to be fine. It's when he quits eating completely that you start worrying. If he goes more than 6 hours or so without eating anything, take him in to the hospital and make sure he isn't getting dehydrated. Good luck. I hope it passes soon!

Is it formula or breastmilk. One to 1 1/2 ounces every few hours is normal for formula, but if it's breastmilk, and mom really should try her best to give him some for at least a few weeks or a month, at the very least, then he will take small amounts VERY often. My four kids all took about one ounce every hour to hour and a half. They didn't get up to 2 ounces until they were almost 2 months old and they were all chubby babies. He might not really like the nipple, try one of the more "boob" shape bottles, you can find them online and possibly in stores. Many babies need a different position to feed in and a calm, darker environment. He may be used to being tube fed,and is having difficulty connecting feeding to the soothing of being held and cuddled. Best of Luck.

I would get an appt with a ped gastroenterologist ASAP!
I LOVe Dr loret de mola in miami!!
sounds like maybe DGE delayed gastric emptying, reflux, protein allergy...but I an NOT the baby's doctor. Many pediatricians like to take on complicated cases: I say get to a SPECIALIST!

http://www.mamasource.com/business/14059862321568677889

Congrats on being a new grandma! The biggest concern is the baby gaining weight and growing. Both a cold and the amoxicillan can decrease appetite, and the amoxicillan should be given AFTER feeding, not before. I am surprised they gave an antibiotic at such a young age, most peds now will not unless the child has a life threatening illness, as the baby is still relying on antibodies passed on from mommy.

Here is what I have learned after four children ages 4-26, and five grandchildren:

They will eat according to their own needs, as much and as often as they need, as long as they are gaining weight and growing, no worries. If they aren't gaining weight and growing, then a doctors advice is needed. With my first child we had to set an alarm and try to feed her every two hours around the clock. At around one month she fell asleep for her nap and I couldn't wake her for over four hours. Off to the ER we went where they couldn't wake her for another two hours. Turned out she was exhausted, imagine that! LOL She didn't take two ounces at a feeding until she was five months old. My next child was taking 3-4 oz every two hours from the first day. The doctors told us not to feed so much, I ignored them. Both girls grew up healthy and fine. All of the other children have fallen in between.

We did discover that a change of formula for the picky eaters helped. My youngest daughter and three of my grandchildren refused any formula with ARA/DHA and would starve themselves. They all preferred Nestle Good Start. Good luck.

Is the baby nursing or bottle? If she is nursing, I would try a bottle b/c this is exactly what happened to me when both of children were babies. My daughter went back to the hospital hours after we brought her home & was sick for the first few weeks. A couple things I tried when mine were little is a humidifier. I also took a jpillow to lift the mattress of the crib, or something smaller for the bassinette. By elevating the head it helps them to breathe. I don't know if this helps very much, wish I could do more.

Babies generally follow their appetite to fulfill their needs. Right now he has been sick and is on medication, so his appetite is down. This is natural under the circumstances. As soon as his infection is healed his appetite will improve. Please tell your son and daughter-in-law not to worry. It's hard to take care of a sick baby, but hopefully he'll be better soon.

Dear C.,

Congratulations on the new grandbaby! My daughter had the same issue. We found after several illnesses and low feeding intake that she was HIGHLY allergic to milk, all dairy to be exact. I would definately ask the doctor to test for allergies, it is a simple blood draw and very important. My daughters doctor told us not to worry for 5 months we kept going back and back, finally switched doctors and found the allergies. Best Wishes!
R. M.

Hi Corrine,
Thank heavens you are sensitive to everyone's needs with new baby and all the adjustments. There are so many wonderful moms out there...I enjoy reading their responses and love seeing the rich variety of support...so you probably have received some of that. What I can do is warmly welcome you and your son and daughter in law to call me for information about the classes I teach, privately or with groups of parents. Infant Massage instruction can help everyone in the situation you described.
Your sweet grandbaby will likely respond to mommy and daddy's massage by relaxing and that will help the feeding ( along with consulting the doc and lactation specialist )
I've seen over and over how parents relax more and are able to read baby's cues better through the support of the 3 or 5 session classes I've taught for over 20 years. Call me! ###-###-#### My business listing Helen M's Infant Massage Instruction at Mamasource will give you more details on benefits. Sincerely, Helen

Hi first time Grandmother,
I have 6 kids and 11 grgangkids myself.Two of my kids were that way.I found out that they'd fall asleep after a certain amount of the bottle, so I'd pull the bottle in and out of their mouth and it would wake them up and they'd start sucking again,every time I though they'd fall asleep again, I'd do the same thing over til I thought they had enough.
Also make sure you burb him after the 1/2 ounce, this makes more room for im to eat more. If he eats aleast 11/2 ounce every 1 1/2 hours he should be ok. If he dpesn't burp right away for you, rub his back spian at the same time your patting his back,it tickels him and it'll also wake him up.Baby's sleep alot and don't relize they need to wake up and eat.
Hope this helps
long time mother and grandmother

Tell them not to worry. Each of my kids came home drinking different amounts of formula, one was taking in about 3/4oz and another 1-1/2oz and another 2oz. They all have different appetite levels and neither of them is wrong or bad. His appetite will increase when he is home and out of the hospital, mine all did. Sometimes the nursing staff will try to scare you about things like that, but usually it is unfounded. As long as he is consistantly taking in the formula, that's what really matters.
T.
Mom of 4
All natural childbirths and a
birthplan for each of them
labored at home until almost time
to push and then recovered quickly
Midwife just had to catch them
Only because we did the research

Congratulations on your new grandson!!!...You did not mention the baby's weight, but smaller babies or babies with smaller appetites will eat less. But, even in the event that your grandson is bigger and/or a bigger eater, it appears that he is NOT eating too little. If he is thriving and not acting hungry, continue to encourage his parents to relax. Otherwise, your grandson will be at risk of being "trained" to eat (which could lead to obesity, eating disorders, etc.) As a general rule, babies should eat ONLY when they are hungry and allowed to eat until they are full. (Please know that most doctors strongly disagree with this philosophy.)