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Infant feeding

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

7 week old feeding every hour for only a few mins

8 replies

deedee321 · 28/02/2011 09:06

Can anyone help? Seem to have got into a nightmare 'snacking' situation. Ds is a big baby, exclusively breastfed, putting on weight very well, heavy nappies, healthy-coloured poo. Since birth he has been what I considered a very efficient feeder - only fed for around 5 mins each time but did seem to more or less empty one breast (never wanted both in one feed). Feeding has always been pretty random and haphazard but he is a tiny baby (age-wise) so to be accepted.
He seemed to have got day-and-night 2 or 3 weeks ago and could go 3.5 hours between feeds at night (not every night feed by any means, but it did happen now and then). Recently has all gone crazy. He is feeding every 40-60 minutes during the night (and fairly frequently during the day but not that bad). He can still do long sleeps but is pot luck whether night or day (and been unlucky last 3 nights!) I keep interaction to a minimum at night, only change dirty nappies etc. And his feeds are so short, sometimes only 2 mins which is ridiculous. I have tried a dummy. He enjoys it in daytime and soothes him, but at night he keeps crying until had a silly little feed which can't possibly fill him.
I am a seasoned breastfeeder, fed my dd for 16 months and am not considering supplementing with formula. But with an active 3yr old I am finding the nights hard to deal with. Anyone got any advice?
I am trying not to be an unrealistic mum, but on my post-natal thread everyone seems to be succeeding in getting better-spaced feeds and that still seems a long way away for us...

OP posts:
japhrimel · 28/02/2011 15:00

What happens when he comes off>? Could he need winding? Might he go back on after a minute or so?

deedee321 · 01/03/2011 00:51

He either falls asleep completely or spits it out then gags/closes mouth firmly if I try to continue. Good point about winding, have tried vigorous winding today which sadly hasn't made a difference! Thanks for input though.

OP posts:
DwithDD · 01/03/2011 07:31

My dd is exactly same! In fact just finished another 3 minute feed. I'm hoping it will sort itself out, as also don't want to give formula. Do you think they might not be warm enough? I am so careful not to overheat her that I worry I've gone the other way! I notice if I go out and she falls asleep she will stay like that for ages inside (until I start uncovering her because she feels hot!) nice to know I'm not only one.

izpie · 01/03/2011 15:37

Just marking my spot to see what advice is given, sorry haven't got any tips of my own- dd2 is 12 weeks and rarely manages more than 2 hours between feeds (start to start) and feeds for a maximum of 10mins. Some night feeds also under 5 mins with a firmly closed mouth if I try to give more, some night wakings only 1hr apart. I think at night she stirs from sleep and wants a suck to send her back off (have failed completely to teach any self soothing).

cosmoEl · 01/03/2011 16:31

I have a 3 week old baby and I have suplemented with formula as I felt she was not getting enough food since she was hungry again after 30 minutes and constantly crying distressed while I was bf. I now think maybe I have given up too soon on hearing your story??

tiktok · 01/03/2011 17:10

deedee - yout baby is at a stage in which for whatever reason he needs to feed like this. Going with the flow is far easier, generally, than trying to fight it, to amend it, or to bemoan it :)

He will not be like this forever. He may change soon. If you meet his needs now, you are giving him confidence and trust, which is a great lesson. You need help with your toddler and everythuing else, and a chance to rest and relax while this (not at all abnormal)stage lasts.

Hope things get easier!

deedee321 · 01/03/2011 23:05

I love your answer tiktok and do agree with you. I did learn with dd (dc1) that it is a waste of energy worrying about each little stage as babies change so fast...just need to ride it out (and enjoy the sweetness of tiny son wanting to be close - even at crazy o'clock and crazy o'clock + 1!)

OP posts:
tiktok · 01/03/2011 23:37

Glad I helped, deedee :)

Wanting to be close to mummy is a beautiful thing, it really is...it is the foundation for every future loving relationship. Yes, it can be tiring and hard work, but it lasts a short time and pays dividends for a lifetime :)

cosmoEl - post a new thread and tell us more - a baby crying after 30 mins could be anything, and supplementing with formula has a lot of downsides if you want to continue bf.

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