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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Thinking of trying a top-up tonight ...

10 replies

gforgiraffe · 07/02/2011 23:25

DS is 11wks old and is driving me crazy ! He feeds loads, he is only ever happy when he's on my breast or sleeping !

He seems to guzzle loads down when we initially start the feed, then obviously slows down. He never seems to take himself off an inevitably falls asleep on my breast.

At night, he guzzles all evening, then when I put him into his moses basket, he is suddenly wide awake and screaming. He wil not settle and doesthis most of the night, only conent ande quiet when feeding or feeds himslef to sleep only to wake as soon as I put him down.
Tonight, I am so tired that I have actually already sterilised a bottle and have put some formula into it in the vain hope that giving him a 'top-up' after he's breastfed might make him have a good sleep (and therefore I get sleep!).

What do you reckon ladies, am I doing the right thing do you think ? Really wanted to avoid formula (Iknow it's not the end of the world) but am so tired after 4 hrs sleep total on sat night and about 6 last night !

He's currently feeding so will wait til he's giving up then offer the bottle. Is this right ?

OP posts:

WMMC125 · 07/02/2011 23:32

Is he by chance going through the 12 week growth spurt (babies are crap at counting)? In which case, a top up will not help you my dear, because he'll only want more and more and you will have less and less.

Have you tried co-sleeping?

I'm sorry you are so tired. Is there anyone who can look after him for a few hours in the day so you can catch up. Drop everything else and prioritise sleep - sod the house and everything else, be kind to yourself and rest whenever you can.

It DOES get better.

MoonUnitAlpha · 07/02/2011 23:34

Is he waking up because he's hungry, or because he doesn't want to be away from you? Will he settle ok in your bed?

Tryharder · 07/02/2011 23:37

Well, it's up to you. If you really wanted to avoid formula, then don't. I mixed fed DS2 and it really was a hassle.

Can you not go to bed with him. Lots of babies don't like moses baskets. To be very honest, nothing in your post strikes me as being wrong or out of the ordinary. The NHS in all their leaflets like to portray a bf baby that feds for 15 mins on each side every 3 -4 hours or so - the reality is so often very different.

Look, he's still very young and it will get easier. If there are no issues with his weight or latch or ability to transfer milk, then I personally would not offer the formula now.

If I were you, I take him up to bed and snuggle down with him. Have you ever fed lying down before? If not, prop yourself on your side with cushions to support your back and then place him just under your nipple so he has to tilt his head to latch on - he's a pro by now so should do it,no problems.

But as I said, it's up to you

Tryharder · 07/02/2011 23:38

Well that was pretty conclusive wasn';t it? They MN jury vote for co sleeping!

winnybella · 07/02/2011 23:40

Babies cluster feed in the evenings- that's totally normal.

Formula will not make him sleep for longer, but if you use itoften enough, it will ake your supply go down.

If it's the growth spurt, he's just making sure your supply will go up with his demand iyswim.

I second co-sleeping- you sleep-he'll just latch on whenever he wants.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 07/02/2011 23:42

In your position I wouldn't offer formula. I know it is really hard, and I think by this time - 3 months - all your birth hormones have worn off, and the adrenaline, and you just get knackered when they are feeding for hours.

It could very well be the 12 week growth spurt, in which case limiting his time at the breast (which is the net effect of giving formula) will only prolong the agony.

I don't think there is anything wrong/odd/unusual about him falling asleep at the breast - DS did this until he was quite old. In fact as he gets bigger you will find it really useful when you want him to have a nap! :)

I would take him to bed with you so that you can get better sleep in between feeds, and at least then you are resting instead of leaping up and down trying to put him down and then him waking.

Original poster

gforgiraffe · 07/02/2011 23:54

I have been co-sleeping with him, in fact thats how I got mjore sleep last night. DH doesn't like me co-sleeping at all though....

(currently typing with left hand as DS is feeding on right, so apologies for typos !!)

I have 2 DD'S as well as DS, so not much sleep to be had during the days !! (and the housework went to pot 4 years ago when DD1 was born !!)

I am sure it will get better, just feel like Imust be starving him.

Really must try to get us asleep in bed as up for school run !!

Thanks for your support

OP posts:

clutterqueen · 07/02/2011 23:56

How about trying a dummy in the evenings? My dd was like this for nearly 4 months withe me feeding her (or letting her doze on my nipple) pretty much from 7 til .midnight. Sounds like you have a good feeder so a dummy shouldn't wreck the milk supply, especially if you only use it at night. They may look like they're hungry by guzzling the milk down but that could also be because it's the easy option. Try co sleeping too and see what works. Good luck.

clutterqueen · 07/02/2011 23:56

japhrimel · 08/02/2011 10:06

Can your OH try settling the LO in the evening? My DH usually settles DD as she knows mummy has the boobs she wants to sleep on so will often not settle in her carrycot for me.

Fwiw Elizabeth Pantley has got great safety advice for co-sleeping in 'the no-cry sleep solution' so if its the safety aspect that's the issue, that could help - it did with us (I co-sleep for naps and after the early morning or middle of the night feed).

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