Ebf night feeds increasing is he more hungry? Does he need formula.. Of food??

[hamncheese]

So DS is ebf on demand and 13 weeks old. Has been in a night sleep routine from around 9 weeks. Co sleeps with us and feeds I bed with me at 6/7 then I leave him he tends to wake after 2-3 hours feeds again and then we go to bed with him and I feed him through the night. He was doing 4-5 hours first stint then 3 then 2 which was fine. Then in week 11 he started feeding every 1.5-2 hours in the day I assumed growth spurt but three weeks on he still is and now he's doing every 2 hours or less at night. He does snack during the day sometimes and he also falls asleep in some night feeds but not all of them and even when he's had big feeds he still wants more 2 hours later. It's taking its toll in terms of my sleep as I just get into a good sleep and he's asking for food again.

I've been considering a formula feed from DH when we go to bed with him 9/10 to increase the first stint of sleep and then bf after as I will have had a decent block IYSWIM. Was thinking could express and store while DH feeds to keep supply up too. However, would this mess with our feeding which has been very good this last month? He's taken expressed bottles before fine and has a dummy with no nipple confusion. Another thing I was thinking though is does this indicate he is indeed hungrier and is going to be ready to start trying some food soon? I know it varies and 13 weeks is too young but should I give it a go at 4 months, especially if it helps sleep longer? Want to try transitioning him to his cot at night too which is impossible with this feeding schedule. But could he be feeding more because the milk is right there?

Any ideas welcome thanks!

[YoullScreamAboutItOneDay]

He doesn't need solids. As you say, he is 13 weeks old and that is way too young. I think stressing about it now will just make you impatient and frustrated. So I'd put that on one side. If you want to consider it again after he is at least 17 weeks, of course you can. But it is unlikely to be the issue.

His behaviour is probably just pretty normal. Many babies regress after initially sleeping well as newborns. Lots of people talk about it at four months, but IM(limited)E it can be more general too.

Have a look on sites like Kellymom regarding formula supplemention. Generally the research is that it doesn't get you more sleep, although of course there will be anecdotes of people who have seen a change.

To be honest, I would try and ride it out. You do normally adjust to the waking pattern after a while so you aren't wrenched from such a deep sleep. You could try offering multiple sides (3 or more) as well to try and keep his interest up for a really big feed.

You have my sympathies. Both of mine are/were rubbish sleepers.

[YoullScreamAboutItOneDay]

Oh, was also going to say that if it is every 2 hours it is the end of a sleep cycle most likely. You could try just cuddling for a bit and see whether he is actually hungry. He might go back off.

[IWipeArses]

Just needs more milk. Try dropping the dummy, particularly during the day, as that is reducing the amount of milk he's taking if he's sucking and not getting any iyswim.
When you're feeding him, have you tried switching sides? So when he seems to finish, move him onto the other breast, and back again etc. Ensures he's getting as much in at each feed as possible.
Other than that, just feed.

[ZuleikaD]

I would think he's feeding more because he's hungry. Don't be tempted by solids - he wouldn't be able to digest them anyway and breastmilk is way more calorific than anything else you could give him. But every two hours during the night is pretty normal - if it's any consolation your own sleep cycle is around 90 minutes so if you can feed quickly and go back to sleep then it actually won't be too deleterious in terms of your own sleep (perception is everything!)

[Seriouslysleepdeprived]

They have so much going on developmentally at this age. I found 12-20 weeks the toughest but they transform in to little people before your eyes & it's amazing to watch. I found the Wonder weeks saved my sanity, at least I knew it was all for a reason!

DS woke pretty much two hourly for months then settled down on his own around 22 weeks. I co-slept a lot to get through it. We moved him into his own room at 5 months ish as I wasn't up for traipsing to the nursery throughout the night. He's now in his cot waking once on average

This is a useful article when was thinking of introducing a bottle. DH did a dreamfeed for a couple of months to give me a break which helped.

[Seriouslysleepdeprived]

And have you tried switching sides & breast compressions? Worked for us

[hamncheese]

Thanks all. I will try and focus on getting bigger feeds out of him. I think part of the problem may stem from when he had the cold at 8 weeks and he comfort fed a lot resulting in snacking and has kept the trend going. I don't know if I can restrict dummy use any more as he is doing the whole 45 minute nap thing in the day and dummy helps him get off to sleep. I try and restrict it to after feeds for sleep time anyway but will keep in mind to limit as much as possible. Don't think trying to increase length of night feeds will be an issue so I am hopeful but day feeds are harder he is so fussy on and off, and so distracted especially out the house he will feed for five mins sometimes then can't get him back on, he cries if I try. Any tips on helping extend his feeds on the day? I also have notice though if I do try to get him back on and manage it he will be sick after that feed a bit, suggesting he has over eaten... So maybe it is more the comfort factor in the daytime?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

If you say he's difficult to feed during the day and feeds a lot at night he may well be reverse cycling. Part of the difficulty I noticed from that age is they just get so darned interested in everything and getting them to concentrate on a feed if there's anything else going on around is impossible. Maybe try feeding in a quiet darkened room during the day? If you're out, find a quiet corner in a cafe and drape a muslin or blanket over his head?