I am so tired of all this breastfeeding!

[mumtocuddlebundle]

from the title you probably think I am talking about a newborn. But he's actually 5 months. Ebf. Won't take a bottle. Is refusing solids. The breastfeeding just feels relentless every couple of hours. Plus I have toddler to look after. It's exhausting.
6 months of feeding every couple of hours.
And for all my hard work I am rewarded with falling centiles on the weight charts and health visitor looking worried every time I get him weighed. but what else can I do- he refuses everything but breastmilk.

When you say falling down centile, how exactly?

If he's not interested in solids yet don't force it, he'll be ready in his own time.

He was born on 75th centile. Settled on just above 9th by 8 weeks. Now between 2nd and 9th.
Yeah I am going to have to have a break from solids for a while as think I am actually putting him off.

My DS is just over 5 months old and EBF. I felt like this last week too. This week is better.

However, my DS has tracked along the 50th centile for weight but started off on the 98th.

Did the initial drop happen in the first few Weeks.

Birth weight isn't always a good indicator of what size your baby is going to be. Some babies are born big and catch down until they find there own line and others are born small and catch up by climbing.

It may be worth a chat to your GP if your concerned, but if your HV is really worried then a referral to a ped in order to rule out any problems, should have been made. If he's otherwise healthy and meeting all milestones though then he probably fine.

Feeding ever 2 hours at this age can be quite normal, but you could look to setting a breastfeeding councilor to rule out any feeding issues. Such as latch or tongue tie.

Thanks, I have been wondering about b

Oops, I have been wondering about booking appointment with gp just to check all is ok. It was in first 8 weeks that he dropped most centiles. Since then he has been hovering above 9 th centile and now below 9th. So perhaps not so bad. He does look pretty skinny but is otherwise happy and meeting milestones.

God, I haven't had ebf dd weighed since 16 weeks! Does your ds seem happy and contented? I thought they dont reccomend weighing much after 4 months?

So after the drop from the 75th to the 9th there was no referral I take it?

I ask as I thought our was standard practices for them to be checked out to make sure there was no medical reason.

No referral. I think my hv take the centile at 8 weeks as the starting point. Then get worried if they drop 2 centiles below that. I might be wrong though- that's the impression I get. The first 8 weeks are the babies 'finding' the centile they are supposed to track.
I think hv does get worried but when ds is sitting smiling at her looking content, they think everything prob ok.

Well they are the ones who have seen your baby and if they are happy with him in general, they probably not to much to worry about. But there is no harm in seeking a seconded opine by going and seeing your gp just to make sure.

On the feeding side some babies do take longer to space feeds then other. And often once on solids they go longer and you'll be able to leave him with some one for a few hours with a snake and drink. Your doing great, remover it's only a short time really.

It sounds like you're doing a brilliant job. I would definitely lay off the solids - it'll just be filling him up without him actually being able to get many calories out of it at this point (immature gut before 26 weeks means they can't actually extract much nutrition from solids). It does sound as though you're pretty shattered yourself though - are you eating well enough for you and for him? You say you have a toddler - does your DP help out at weekends and things so that you're getting enough rest to be able to produce enough milk?

Yes and as I have just discoverd ...(www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/1549038-How-can-baby-get-enough-breast-milk)

...certain tongue ties most people seem to miss. Hospital paed and my gp for instance. It can also affect solids and bottle taking, as well as frequent feeding. due to sleep he would find it hard to feed more frequently, wouldn't he? if he wanted to put on more weight for eg. def. get him checked over.

Thanks everyone. I do pretty well for help. Dh is home at 5.30 every day and very involved with toddler, looking after him, doing bedtime etc. Plus I have my mum nearby to help out.
I think it just gets me down a bit sometimes cos I put all this effort in trying to do the best for him and instead of being able to relax and enjoy breastfeeding I have to constantly worry that I am starving him!
I think I will book appt at gp next time toddler is at nursery just to check him over. I did do this at 9 weeks btw and gp seemed satisfied all was ok. But perhaps worth another check. Thanks for the words of encouragement!