please help- somethings got to give!

[SkinnyGirlBethany]

Hi,

I have posted previouslyabout dd2 not taking a bottle and I have tried every teat. I'm still trying but i'm not expressing anymore as I dont have the time or energy. So Im trying a formula to get her to take a bottle- still not working.

My dd1 is 26 months old and dd2 feeds during the day at least every 45mins (breastfed). Basically its as if dd2 is feeding like she would on a growth spurt but every day. I simply dont get a break unless I'm driving or taking them both on a walk- but still its for 45min max. The only saving grace is she usually sleeps thru from 8-6 or wakes once at 4am ish.

Anyway i need some survival strategries- dd2 is so much bigger than dd1- she is 75th for weight and 98th for height on the centile where as dd1 was 25th/ 50th. Dd2 is so long she is in 6-9 month clothes at 10 weeks. So for feeding she struggles to wrap herself around iyswim and I cant feed lying down as I'm usually playing with dd1 at the same time.

Has anyone else experienced a hungry baby? I just wish she could take a bottle (as I would probably think about packing bfeeding in) Never thought Id say that

Also its getting dp down as when ever I go for a run 45 min max she screams for me the whole time- and I always give her to him after a mammoth feed so its not hunger. I feel trapped and he feels redundant. Thank god for dd1 who worships him.

AAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

[1catherine1]

I haven't seen your previous posts sorry.... How old is DD2?

[SkinnyGirlBethany]

11 weeks tomorrow

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I don't have any specific advice, but wanted to let you know you're not alone... LO is also ten weeks old and 91st percentile for weight, 98th for length. At times it seems he is feeding all the time and DP also gets frustrated when he can't calm LO down.

Not sure if this will help, but I've recently realised that I was misreading some of LO's cues. E.g. 'mouth open' is sometimes just "I'm happy" and 'hand chewing' is sometimes "I'm calming myself down; I don't need you". I used to think both were "Feed me NOW" I now try everything else (nappy, extra blanket, song, whatever!) before feeding him and have managed to cut the feeds down. We're at roughly every 90 mins during the day and three hours at night.

I'm sure you've already tried it, but thought I should share

[1catherine1]

Ok... erm- as she is so young my other suggestion isn't useful... so the only thing I think of is perhaps trying a different formula? The only bottle my BF 7mo will take is a breastflow bottle - although she still prefers the boob.

My friend suggested breastfeeding at the start of the feed and then half way through swapping to a bottle to help the baby get used to it. I ignored her suggestion as only wanted to get DD on 1 bottle a day not risk reducing me supply... but it might work for you.

Good luck!

[lilham]

It could be she just wants to be close to you instead of actually being hungry? Have you tried carrying her in a sling? Also she might be a sucky baby and you could try introducing a dummy?

[RitaMorgan]

Going 10 hours a night without a feed is pretty amazing though - so to an extent frequent day feeding is going to be the pay-off. I mean, you could have got a baby who fed every 2-3 hours day and night!

I second the suggestions of slings and dummies though - I had a Close carrier which was great.

[BuckminsterFullerene]

That's tough, you're coping really well.

I can only second the suggestions of a sling, and breastflow bottles, although DS (also 7mo) won't take the bottle from me at all, only DH or CM. Maybe your DH could try while you run?

Also, remember the mantra "this, too, shall pass"

[tiktok]

Bethany - you say "Also its getting dp down as when ever I go for a run 45 min max she screams for me the whole time- and I always give her to him after a mammoth feed so its not hunger."

So how would a bottle help, then?

It's tough and demanding for you at the moment - but it will get easier.

Sounds as if she is going through a stage where she wants to be close to you - and her dad will surely understand that it wont always be that way, and can cope for this short time :)

[SkinnyGirlBethany]

Thanks for the replies, feel better now I vented.

She wont take a dummy either. She does like the carrier but she's so heavy! Is a sling easier- any recommendations?