Hi all, me again with the handsucker and more questions! Haven't resorted to a dummy yet .. okay, tried it a few mins ago but it got spat out more times than enough! Anyway, DS is 12w, exclusively b/fed and fighting at the breast a fair bit.
I wonder whether I'm trying to feed him too often? I usually aim for every 2.5 - 3.5 hrs but is this too often for him. At 9w he was up from 8lb 13oz at birth to 12lb 15oz. He has plenty of heavy wet and dirty nappies.
I usually try to offer him a feed immediately following a nap as this is when he's most settled but more and more often of late I'm having to practically shove my breast in his mouth and then walk round for 10-15 mins whilst he feeds. Sometimes this works and he takes a big feed, other times he simply doesn't want to feed and goes ballistic when I try to feed him. Oh, and sometimes he pulls off when my letdown is obviously way to fast, gets sprayed everywhere and really upset and reluctant to go back on - am trying to express some off first if I'm particularly full/engorged.
Last night we'd a bad night with colic (3 hrs of crying) although he took a feed in the middle of it at about 10.30pm - his choice not mine!! Anyway, then he didn't feed til 5.30am this morning, took a small feed at about 7.45am, fed reluctantly at first and then enthusiastically at 11.30am and now it's after 3pm and he won't go next or near me!!
Am I pushing it too hard? He's sooo different to DS1 who would've fed/latched on 24/7 - this little one just goes on when he wants it and no more often than that. Have to admit that he's sitting fairly happily in his bouncy seat at the moment so probably isn't hungry but will frantically suck my finger if I offer it.
I think much of my uncertainty comes down to the fact that DS1 took 5w to regain his birthweight during which time I'd numerous run-ins with HV who was insisting on formua (not given, b/f for 14 mths) and I just don't have the confidence to trust my own instincts on this - which are, stop forcing him!!!
Any advice?
Thanks - Millie