4 month old going 8 hours without feeding

[Whatev3r]

Hi all.

So I'm really stressed out. My almost 4 month old just went almost 8 hours without feeding today. We were travelling and so I kind of lost track of time until I saw the clock. From around 3 months old she's stopped feeding in the cradle position, will only feed if in side lying position, and is very easily distracted. I have a toddler and any time she screams or makes loud noises my baby will stop feeding. It's really stressful as when I'm out and about I can't be lying down k the floor to feed her it's impossible!

Any advice would be welcome because I'm so so worried my milk supply will be going since she's not feeding as often as she is supposed to be.

That's a long time to go without fluids.

@Shouldbedoing I know that...

Assuming she wasn't screaming for a feed and you ignored her (or was unusually floppy and lethargic) then I wouldn't worry.

I would expect increased feeding overnight.

Some babies are doing 8 hours blocks overnight at this age so they can go this long between feeds, but it is unusual when they're awake.

Offer lots of opportunity to feed overnight and keep an eye on her.

Has she been having wet nappies?

You can't only feed in side lying if EBF tbh or this will keep being a problem in the day time. Try other positions like rugby hold. Try varying the way you support her head

There is something called the three month breast feeding crisis which you might find it helpful to google - from what I remember a combination of baby being distractable but unable to multitask, and a slowing in your let down after about three months, means breastfeeding can be a fight. The most useful strategy I remember was feeding them when they’re sleepy just after a nap.

We had a few long stretches during the day when my baby refused to feed which I found stressful, but he was feeding enough in a 24 hour period (mostly overnight!) and had enough wet nappies and stayed on his weight centile.

Is she dehydrated? It’s very hot today. I’d check for signs to be on the safe side as 8 hours is a long time for anyone to go without fluids in the heat, let alone a baby.

Granted mine were formula fed but both were doing 8+ hours overnight by 4 months. Presuming baby is well in themselves and not showing any signs of dehydration then the worst thing is probably that you’ll pay for it tonight and baby will be feeding a lot. Only feeding in a side lying position doesn’t sound sustainable though, especially not with a toddler. As you say you can’t lie down on the floor when you’re out! If you can’t crack a different feeding position (would a lactation consultant be an option?) then I think you need to introduce a bottle.

I’m surprised you weren’t super uncomfortable! Are you sure she didn’t feed and you’ve blanked it in the toddler / baby blur?

But regardless, do try PP’s suggestion about other positions (DD2 was into koala feeding). You must feel very tied to the house at the moment.

Not ideal but babies go 8 hours overnight with no fluids, just keep an eye on wet nappies etc over the next few days! Should be ok

@FloraPoste42 funny enough when I posted this thread I then found a post about the 3 month crisis. Does it mean they can go longer hours without wanting to feed? She's also very fussy with the positions namely the cradle position. Did you also experience this?

@lionkingn yes she still has some wet nappies, it's just super stressful when their feeding behaviour changes out of nowhere!

Have you tried taking her to an osteopath? DD2 would only feed in certain positions, plus she had a very bad tongue tie. We got the tongue tie sorted and I did 4 sessions with an osteopath with her, and she became a lot more comfortable. She still had a preference for one side over an another, but got better enough that we could leave the house more easily!

Personally I would seek medical advice from your health visitor, children's centre or a breastfeeding consultant. That is a long long time to go at that age in this heat (im not judging btw!).
Probably fine but id err on the side of caution.
How are they weight wise?

@Slowfeedingbaby no I haven't but I might take her to an osteopath then. She is really fussy with positions so makes it harder to go out of the house especially since yesterday we were travelling.

@Wavescrashingonthebeach her weight is increasing normally. I did however forget to mention that recently she has been having some diarrhea and green poos. I'm guessing that could have a link with why her feeding has reduced/why she's been more fussy?

It could be. Just get her checked over to be on the safe side with her being so young x

@ooooohlala I actually was very uncomfortable but with the rush of travelling I didn't even notice until I ended up with 2 hard rocks which I had to relieve with a haakaa. Never heard of the koala position I will look into that, thank you.

These things happen, don't beat yourself up girl ❤️

No advice but you weren't being cruel or neglectful so try to move on from it x

@NuffSaidSam yes I have been keeping an eye on her today. I notiemced whenever I'm out and about, so for example yesterday I was travelling, she's not interested in feeding. I don't know if it's fomo and just her being super distracted by noises and people etc..

How do you lose track of time and not think of your baby needing a feed? What about clean nappies? Have bottles of you struggle with feeding outside.

@WhatTheHelll when I said I lost track of time it wasn't for the full 8 hours of course! I offered to feed her 2/3 times on our journey but she refused. What I MEANT by I lost track of time was that I didn't notice how long it had actually been since she last ACCEPTED to breastfeed. Don't be judgemental to others if you don't know the full story! Sometimes keeping your opinion to yourself is good especially if you have nothing useful to say!!

Both of mine were sleeping through at six weeks so we’re going seven to eight hours without feeding. I remember asking my HV if I should
wake them to feed and she said no. They were both almost nine pounds at birth and gaining consistently so it wasn’t necessary to wake them.
This was 30 years ago though and advice may have changed since then.

Very normal for the distracted feedings at this age, they are muchkre laert to the wrold and feeding gets jn the way of thay for them. I had it with first DC (same as oh say would almost go all day refusing milk) and similar with DC2 but not as bad. Try to take yourself away to a quieter place to feed (i know that's hard when our and about and with a toddler), when sleepy as PP said or just after a nap. What's currently working for us is feeding in thr cradle hold but while stood up rocking. I know that can be difficult for some people but I find this way good because it is still discrete enough in public and usually when they have settled on the feed and start long sucks and gulps I find DC settled enough for me to sit back down again.

I know it's seems like a nightmare it did with my first DC but now I know it'll pass its not as daunting 😊 Very few babies without serious medical issues will not starve themselves just remember that!

Unfortunately at 4-5 months, my baby became EXTREMELY distracted. Honestly I couldn't bloody go anywhere anymore. I could only go out for 1-2 hours at a time as he wouldn't breastfeed unless he was at home, in his bedroom, in the quiet.

And if I persevered and just had a morning or afternoon out? I reaaally paid for it after that as he would then not sleep and feed all night. FML.

It also hasn't really changed. My social life only really picked up around 7 months when he was reliably on solids and I could take food with me. He's 11 months now and still won't breastfeed in public. Takes proper food no problem though, thank good he took well to weaning!!