slow feding and snacking

[Vetty]

Any advice on 10 week old who only drinks 2-4 ozs every 2 hours, and takes 1-2 hours to feed. (formula and Breast milk). Only sleeps for 2 hours max at night too

Vetty, sounds like my dd. She is a snacker. Tiny girl (5 lb at birth), tiny stomach. Did not get better when she got older. Even now, at 2.10, I don't think she drinks more than 4 oz at a shot of anything. Still a snacker at heart with solid food.

I took the line of least resistance. Gave up on bottles/formula at 5 months (dd was having none of it anyway) and just exclusively breastfed her, co-slept at night.

As for taking 1-2 hours to feed, I think your lo could be falling asleep at the breast/bottle. It took me ages to realise. But just because dd is latched on, doesn't mean she is actively feeding. The feeding itself (you know because of the let down and jaw movements) takes only 10 mins (?) but then dd falls asleep but cried if I tried to unlatch her - so I thought she was still feeding, but she wasn't. She just wanted to sleep latched on and I could not unlatch her until she was in deep sleep! Can you get a sling?

My doula suggested a good thing that worked for me as my ds2 (who is only breastfed) was like this. She said to get a bowl of water and cotton wool and wake them up with a bit of a wash if they fall asleep. Another thing was to tickle their feet as I was brushing his face but that just made him unlatch. It sounds cruel, but it does work. Hope things get better.

Vetty, have you tried going to a breastfeeding group to have someone look at you feed? sometimes one on one advice like this is best. this way, you can ask questions about feeding directly as they arise. they can also point out to you when a baby is feeding actively, suckling which is good as it stimulates supply or just sleeping on the breast.

am i correct to read that you are mixed feeding?
this will definitely affect your supply at this early stage and it means you may end up formula feeding exclusively sooner than you may want.

Many thanks. Unfortunately I have had to give up breast feeding due to 3 lots of anti biotics for retained placenta and upset stomach, it dried up, and bb would not take it, screamed every time he was offered it!!

I have now changed teats and he seems to be taking 3-4 ozs in 40 minutes big improvement and he slept for 3.5 hours last night!

The health visitor has suggested he visits a cranial osteopath due to the fact he was engaged for 3 weeks.Thanks for all your advice, you kept me sane!