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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Never full but never finishes a bottle ahhhh

19 replies

JessKM · 10/05/2013 21:54

My son is 3 months and was Breast fed for 4 weeks but then had to stop.

He seems to be going through a phase of hunger every one to two hours...but never finishes the sodding bottles that are give to him. Weve tried a few formulas including the hungry baby milk but he seems to get bored with a couple of ounces to go and refuses the st, then has the charm to start screaming and acting a if we never feed him an hour later!

Should I be worried? Any tips? I'd kill for a few hours sleep without having to wake up and feed!

OP posts:

dinkystinky · 10/05/2013 21:56

Are you winding him after the first few ounces? Gulping air in can make them feel full for a while - see if winding helps.

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 21:58

Yeah and he always seems to bring up wind too..he only ends up taking about 2/3 oz each time but he seems a slowwwwwww eater, almost as if he is bored and gives up!

OP posts:

LittleBearPad · 10/05/2013 22:00

Do you need the next teat size up. He may need the next size up so that the milk flows faster.

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 22:01

Hadn't considered that?, may be worth giving a try.

What's the norm for a 3 month old. I'm sure my daughters didnt do this.

OP posts:

dinkystinky · 10/05/2013 22:01

I agree - try a faster flow teat or enlarging the hole in the teat to see if it helps

CreatureRetorts · 10/05/2013 22:03

Are you sure he's not actually tired? So feed, then an hour later screaming could mean he wants to sleep. Have you tried a dummy?

Maybe little and often suits him. Or maybe he doesn't agree with formula and has reflyx so can only manage small volumes.

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 22:07

He's never had any reflux symptoms and even if little and often suits him, I feel awful saying this but it's a nightmare for the rest of us, and I really want to get him from the habit that he's in. He usually sleeps right are the bottle, I think the feeding actually sends him to sleep.

Button we didn't give dummy to him, none of our kids have had them

OP posts:

nethunsreject · 10/05/2013 22:08

It's not uncommon for a baby that age to want little and often. I ffed ds1 and he never had more than 2 or 3 ounces at a go, normally less, but had that very frequently.

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 22:11

I will try the teat tomorrow and see if it makes a difference.

It's just all a bit disheartening that I've had three girls with no issues with feeding at all...I felt really confident this time round and it's all gone to hell.

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 10/05/2013 22:13

Are you sure it isn't silent reflux? There is no vomiting with it.

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 22:14

Oh god I've never even heard of that!!! better get the books out

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 10/05/2013 22:19

Neither had I until DD came along

Basically, stomach acid enters the oesophagus every time the baby feeds causing a great deal of pain. Babies respond by either refusing to feed or frequently feeding.

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 22:24

I think I'm going to call health visitor or Gp tomorrow and ask...I've just googled and I think you might be on to something!

Interestingly I've already had a conversation with them both about this and the fact he seems to prefer to look to one side or the other...and that's a symptom listed on the site I just looked at!!

How did you help DD out? I can't really slip a rennie in his bottle?!!

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 10/05/2013 22:35

Oh god Jess, if I'm honest it has been hellish. It just got worse and worse until about 7 months. At the very worst, she would only sleep about 40 minutes max, scream for 10-12 hours without pause, refuse point blank to feed, I could go on...

My advice would be to go to the GP and talk about the symptoms. You are likely to be offered Gaviscon which just seems to make babies constipated. It is also a PITA if you are bf. The next step is Ranitidine. We did find it worked initially but the effect wore off. It is weight based so you need to keep on top of the dose.

At that point we were put into the system for an urgent paediatric referral (4 fucking weeks!). You need to push for this just to get into the system.

A sling helped as it kept DD upright. A very kind MNetter sent me a sleeping wedge. Movement seemed to help so I took circular bus journeys so she could sleep in the pram and I could sleep too. Sometimes I just drove for hours to stop the screaming. Wandered round the town, Tesco... We got a cleaner. Begged friends & family to feed us. Made sure we got a babysitter (GPs) once a week - we often just drove to a layby and slept.

I'm sorry I can't be more upbeat. But, there is light at the end of the reflux tunnel. DD is much better. She sleeps overnight for 11 hours. She will nap during the day now.

Booyhoo · 10/05/2013 22:40

at 12 weeks it could be a growth spurt. hard work but you just have to get through it.

try the larger teat holes, make sure he winds. when he screams, wind him again just incase it's trapped wind. rub his wee belly gently. try him for a sleep. change his nappy. check not too warm or cold and if all that fails then try another bottle. some babies just take little and often and all you can do is go with it as to do otherwise would be cruel.

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 22:42

for you...sounds like we're going to be In for a ride! Im definitely going to have to talk to them soon, it's been 3 months since I slept for more than about 2 hours at a time and I'm reaching my end point!

Movement definitely calms him down too. Even just the car engine...I've say outin the driveway with the car running a few times now!

Will maybe look at ways to keep him more upright too. He hasn't got the whole idea of keeping his head up yet.

We went on holiday this last week and most of it was spent with dh off with 3 girls having fun while I sat on a bench with him either crying Or eating. Not fun. I feel like Ive hardy spoken to my girls in weeks!!!

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 10/05/2013 22:56

No, not fun. There is a reflux support thread and a high needs baby thread. Mumsnet is your friend I found no-one in real life understood but talking to other mums going through the same kept me going.

I used a Mobywrap sling to begin with although I have just bought an ErgoBaby carrier as DD is getting too heavy for the stretchy. I found I could eat with DD in the sling which helped

Home Start are a great organisation. They can provide a volunteer to help out at home.

Bear in mind it could be CMPI (Cows Milk Protein Intolerance). There is some question if DD has this but she is too old to swap to a CMPI free formula (they taste disgusting).

Good luck!

Original poster

JessKM · 10/05/2013 22:58

Thanks you've been a great help! I shall talk to HV tomorrow and see whattheysuggest! Hope your DD is feeling better!
X

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 10/05/2013 23:13

She is, thank you. I now realise just how ill she was Poor wee mite. It has had an impact on her gross motor development. She is yet to roll or crawl. I guess being horizontal just hurt too much.

All the best.

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