Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Advice please- daytimes being ruined by 8 week old feeding issue

33 replies

Llamasally · 31/05/2021 13:15

DD 8 weeks has been exclusively FF from 3 weeks. She has got into a pattern over the past couple of weeks of not finishing her bottle, then screaming blue murder less than 2 hours later, rinse and repeat. All day.

She sleeps pretty well at night which I am very thankful for. However this issue is driving me insane. She never gets a decent nap so is crying, grumpy and grizzly all day, and I can’t do anything because the gap between feeds, changes, getting ready to go out and her going beserk is getting shorter abs shorter. I have a toddler and busy life with other dependents so can’t just stay in. I’d be happy to really knuckle down with this issue though if it means a few days staying home to improve the routine.

She’s already on infant gaviscon for reflux, plus following all the usual advice - doesn’t seem to make a big difference but she hasn’t got it really badly.

Please don’t comment if you believe I should just go with it as I really can’t, from a practical perspective.

OP posts:
Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 13:59

Hopeful bump 🤞

OP posts:
Summerzz123 · 31/05/2021 14:01

I’ve never ff so don’t have a huge amount of advice on that front. The only thing I can think of is to try and stop her getting over tired 🤷‍♀️ I know it’s easier said than done though. Good luck

crispywaffle · 31/05/2021 14:02

First of all I'm going to say you've got to roll with it - you don't want to hear it but it's true.

Second of all maybe just smaller amounts and more often? The 6-10 weeks period was the hardest with both my boys. So much change in them and so much growth and you think you should be able to be out and about with them by then but the reality is you're still in the 4th trimester.

What weight is she? What size are the bottles?

Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:03

Currently got her in a swaddle and trying to get a decent nap while the toddler naps. She hardly had any of the last feed though so I’m sure it will all kick off again before she can get settled 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:05

@crispywaffle she’s nearly 12lbs and has 150ml bottle. Which I don’t mind that she doesn’t finish at all, it’s the fact that she is then hungry again very soon after and overtired all day!

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 31/05/2021 14:09

Can you not preempt the screaming 2 hours later by feeding her again 2 hours later?? Not sure you can force a baby to eat more than they want to at any one go. I didn’t ff so not sure.

You could work on her naps. Why do think she’s not napping? Hunger?

H8624 · 31/05/2021 14:11

Baby's tummy's are so tiny they can only take a little at a time for the first few months.

My LO would feed between every 1.5-3 hours in the first few months and it was impossible to tell when he'd be hungry next as sometimes he'd fjnish a full bottle, sometimes he wouldn't etc. Just roll with it and over time your LO will get on a rough schedule! My LO is now 5 months but from about 3.5 months he started feeding every 3 hours ish and that's what he does now in the day.

You just have to roll through the stage unfortunately and it will get better 😊. If you can afford it I'd highly recommend the tommee tippee perfect prep machine as it makes a bottle in a couple of mins - so when you're feeding much more often it's less faffing about at the time!

motogogo · 31/05/2021 14:16

Babies of that age really should be fed on demand, 12 feeds a day isn't abnormal. You might not want to hear this but mine often fed 15 times (breastfed)

Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:20

@motogogo I’d expect that for BF tbh, but wasn’t expecting this - or at least to this degree- with formula feeding!

OP posts:
Bythehairywartsonmywitchychin · 31/05/2021 14:22

FF should be treated the same as BF in that babies should be fed on demand (when they show cues they’re hungry).

If she has reflux the advice is to feed little and often. I’m sure you probably do this already, but if not, burp her frequently during feeds. Try to keep her upright, for at least an hour, after feeding, this should help keep the milk down.

You could also try a baby carrier/wrap so you can get on with things ect

Also perhaps try a different teat or bottle sometimes the supermarket own brands are better for the baby than the expensive ones.

www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/reflux/#anchor-tabs

intheenddoesitreallymatter · 31/05/2021 14:23

It’s a hard one but unfortunately not one I think you can change.

Can you invest in an insulated bottle bag, that way you can prepare the bottle/water and add the formula whilst you are about. However if she’s not eating are you sure she is hungry? Have you asked the gp/health visitor?

Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:23

@H8624

Baby's tummy's are so tiny they can only take a little at a time for the first few months.

My LO would feed between every 1.5-3 hours in the first few months and it was impossible to tell when he'd be hungry next as sometimes he'd fjnish a full bottle, sometimes he wouldn't etc. Just roll with it and over time your LO will get on a rough schedule! My LO is now 5 months but from about 3.5 months he started feeding every 3 hours ish and that's what he does now in the day.

You just have to roll through the stage unfortunately and it will get better 😊. If you can afford it I'd highly recommend the tommee tippee perfect prep machine as it makes a bottle in a couple of mins - so when you're feeding much more often it's less faffing about at the time!

@H8624 the thing is early in the day, or night feed, she will drain this amount. So her tummy can’t be so tiny that it can’t take it, that would make sense of course and was obviously the case when she was a newborn. But because of the poor naps she falls asleep sooner and sooner when feeding as the day goes on
OP posts:
Lullabymummy17 · 31/05/2021 14:27

Is she in a distracting environment when you are feeding her? Maybe she's getting distracted from her bottle and then not wanting any more. Try feeding her in a quiet calm environment and see if that helps. My DD used to become distracted by loud noises on the TV and then not want to have the rest of her bottle

Idroppedthescrewinthetuna · 31/05/2021 14:31

Have you tried winding after every ounce or two?

LakeShoreD · 31/05/2021 14:33

If she has reflux you may just have to roll with the fact that she’s going to feed little and often, probably until weaning is established. That said, I would try a dummy- sucking is great for keeping a feed down and for soothing and if you’re not sure she’s actually hungry and may just want the comfort (possible if she’s not finishing feeds), and going up a teat size in case she’s working too hard to get the milk and getting tired/bored.

Wafflepup · 31/05/2021 14:37

Was going to suggest the same as a PP. Try changing the bottle teat to the next size up? Baby will be overwhelmed at first but will get used to the next size, that made a huge difference when I was FF.

LittleBearPad · 31/05/2021 14:40

Feed her when she’s hungry at that age. Don’t feel you have to stick to 150ml. Why should she want the same amount at each feed - do you? You are just going to have to roll with it for a few weeks I’m afraid until she’s a bit bigger.

Luxembourgmama · 31/05/2021 14:43

My first one did that. She was just à snacker. Just feed her every 2 hours

Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:45

@Wafflepup

Was going to suggest the same as a PP. Try changing the bottle teat to the next size up? Baby will be overwhelmed at first but will get used to the next size, that made a huge difference when I was FF.
@Wafflepup thanks will try that
OP posts:
Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:47

@Luxembourgmama

My first one did that. She was just à snacker. Just feed her every 2 hours
This would be fine if she was happy with it, but she isn’t. Takes up to 30 mins to feed and wind, then sit upright for at least 30 mins, change...it’s almost time for the next feed. So no decent nap, overtired and the cycle continues.
OP posts:
THNG5 · 31/05/2021 14:47

My 4th had reflux and took little and often all the way through until we started weaning (and then wouldn't drink any formula but that's another thread!). His naps were never brilliant and he's still on 3 naps a day at 9 months old. I found it much more difficult to get him into a nap routine compared to my 3 others. I just try and follow his cues, even now.

Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:49

@LakeShoreD

If she has reflux you may just have to roll with the fact that she’s going to feed little and often, probably until weaning is established. That said, I would try a dummy- sucking is great for keeping a feed down and for soothing and if you’re not sure she’s actually hungry and may just want the comfort (possible if she’s not finishing feeds), and going up a teat size in case she’s working too hard to get the milk and getting tired/bored.
@LakeShoreD she does use a dummy but isn’t always interested
OP posts:
Original poster
Llamasally · 31/05/2021 14:50

@Lullabymummy17

Is she in a distracting environment when you are feeding her? Maybe she's getting distracted from her bottle and then not wanting any more. Try feeding her in a quiet calm environment and see if that helps. My DD used to become distracted by loud noises on the TV and then not want to have the rest of her bottle
@Lullabymummy17 sadly zero chance of that with a toddler around!
OP posts:
H8624 · 31/05/2021 15:01

If she's falling asleep during a feed try the next teat size up. Might take her a few days to get used to the faster flow but should stop her falling asleep.