16 weeks old and only fed once since 7.30am....???

[littlemissindecisive]

Whats that all about? His sleep has gone haywire the last few weeks and he's up several times a night.

My plan of filling him up in the days is going pear-shaped as he's just not interested. I've tried in his room where its dark and quiet, lying on the bed cuddling etc....

He used to feed every couple of hours!

What happens when you offer?

Have you tried feeding him when he's asleep? That usually works.

He goes mad when i offer!!!! And he's only had two 45min naps all day (although trying for a third now).....I'm in for a hell of a night i think!!!!!!!!!!

This would worry me a bit. Could he have a sore throat or sore mouth for any reason? I would give a small dose of Calpol and try and feed him again in 20mins when it has kicked in, to see if it'd would make a difference.

It sounds like a nursing strike - my DS did this. The only way I could get him to feed would be to latch him on when he was asleep or very drowsy.

Nursing strikes happen when something is wrong - and him going mad is an indication that something is up. It could be sore mouth as Effjay says, or reflux, teething, ear infection...

In my DS's case, it was silent reflux - it hurt him to feed so he stopped. Took three months before he fed properly again (I couldn't give him formula as he is dairy intolerant).

You need to keep his intake of milk up - so when you get him to sleep for the next nap, let him sleep in your arms and feed him after he's been asleep for 10 mins or so. He should latch on instinctively. Do the same again at bedtime and during the night. Also for his naps tomorrow if he doesn't feed again when awake.

You should also express if possible and try and give him milk via a cup. Babies that small can drink from a cup but it'll be tiny sips at a time. You want to be careful offering a bottle - he could end up preferring the bottle.

If he's still not feeding on monday, get an emergency appointment at the GP and get them to check him over - ears also mouth for thrush (make sure they check the mouth properly as sometimes it can be hard to spot).

If still no luck, give NCT breastfeeding line a ring. I did and they gave me loads of great tips for getting DS to feed again. Number is 0300 330 0771

Thank you - he's just gone to sleep so will cuddle up and see. Also give him some calpol at bedtime. He seems happy enough in himself.

Yes my DS seemed happy until the boob went near him! Hopefully it will pass quickly.

Thanks for all advice - Sunday he was back on track with good feeds every couple of hours. At one point he went a bit crazy so i stripped him off, did skin to skin and he fed for 20mins which is ages for him.

Now need to sort his crap naps out!

Great to hear!

I have to say , 45 mins is pretty standard at this age though.