Thursday, February 24, 2005

Eating Strike

Any advice on how to get a baby to eat when she clearly isn't hungry??? Eden is on an eating strike. She used to eat about 20 ounces a day, but now I have a hard time getting her to eat 15. I tried switching to faster nipples but she is not fooled. She just figures out how to NOT suck on those. She's also given up breastfeeding and will not latch on at all despite all my coaxing. It's so frustrating! Now I have all this added pressure that she is not gaining enough weight. What' s a mommy supposed to do? Help!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Billie:
I am not sure how it works with preemies, but Merry has given me fits about eating for almost her whole life. At least three doctors have told me that you can't force a child to eat, and that they will eat when they are hungry.
I'm not sure if that applies to Eden's situation or not, but I can tell you that it does NO good to stress about it. She knows where to get milk, and she will eat...kids don't intentionally starve themselves.
As always, you are in my prayers.
I hope it all works out, and I am sure that it will.
Take care of YOU...and know that you are loved.

Kendra

Anonymous said...

You can't help but worry and be concerned about your child's health. We're parents and that's what we do. I was told by my boys' doctor that as long as they were doing fine, don't worry about it. If Eden feels your stress, it can affect her. It's not easy to sit back and be casual about it, but if there was cause for concern, the doctor would tell you so. They've fought hard for these little girls and they will continue to do so. You have all come far in this short time, even if it does feel like it's been forever. I wonder if a little bit of rice cereal would be okay for her, tempt her a little. You're in my prayer. Connie Wilhoite

Anonymous said...

obviously i know nothing about being a mommy or the fabulous tricks you all seem to have up your sleeves. i do agree with the "they'll eat when they are hungry" advice. sorry i have nothing to offer, but i wanted to say hi and let you know i love ya!
lisa