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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

BF experts, I have some questions about growth spurts!!

11 replies

SydneyB · 26/02/2009 14:00

DS, 4.5 mths, seems to have hit a hellish growth spurt. Know they are quite common at this age. He is waking 6/7 times a night after previously only waking twice and sometimes only once. My attitude has always been to feed him when he wakes rather than to try anything else as a) he always latches on and feeds and b) goes straight back down again afterwards. My questions are 1) Surely all this night feeding just increases my night supply? As far as I can tell if he feeds at a certain time then the next day or so my breasts are fuller THEN rather than at any other time. They don't seem fuller during the day at the moment. 2) I feed him at least 2 hrly in the day, I can't actually get him to feed anymore frequently so how do I get more into him during the day to stop him waking so much at night? 3) Is this a crazy question: when will it end? Basically just interested in understanding science of it as blind faith is failing me right now! Especially as have 2 yr DD to deal with during day as well. Also, am due to go get back to work in 8 weeks. How does a growth spurt work when your baby is formula fed? Surely you can't just jam a botttle in his mouth every time he wakes in night?

OP posts:

HSMM · 26/02/2009 14:44

In the 'good old days' you would be weaning by now. Maybe speak to your HV, because if he has had a huge growth spurt, he may have reached the maturity for weaning. Don't start based on my opinion, because I am not a medical professional.

Original poster

SydneyB · 26/02/2009 18:03

That has crossed my mind as he is on 99th centile and quite frankly enormous but I'm worried that I'd go through all the hassle of weaning at 20 weeks to find it makes no difference and then I'm stuck with it!

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CherryChoc · 26/02/2009 19:03

We've just got over the 4 month night time growth spurt, it has been about 2 weeks.

There is likely to be no medical benefit to weaning early and anecdotally, all my friends who have weaned early because of night wakings say it makes no difference - and 2 of them said it made their DCs worse!

Original poster

SydneyB · 26/02/2009 19:27

So CherryChoc, did your LO just stop waking overnight or did it gradually improve? Ours has detiorated slowly over last 10 days culminating in last night's horror. Worry about weaning is that I fill him full of baby rice or something and then he's taking less milk and will never increase supply and get through growth spurt. Am I right in this? And had hoped to do BLW and he's not really ready for that.

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ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 26/02/2009 19:33

The all night feeding will increase your night supply AND your overall supply.

Your breasts may not feel fuller but that's because of a higher % of hindmilk.

If he won't feed anymore in the day I don't think that's anything else you can do apart from roll with it. The initial intense growth spurt will last a few days, but the after effects will probably carry on for a couple of weeks.

With a ff baby I guess you give more formula in the day? And maybe they have more night wakings but you don't have the supply delay like you do with bf.

It will get better, don't resist it. Because 1. It's pretty impossible to! 2. it's intention is to increase your supply to fulfill your baby's appetite.

8oreighty · 26/02/2009 19:36

I have twins...and it was really hellish all the waking and feeding at night right around this time. I did wean a bit earlier and it did really help, as they were basically getting really hungry, their feeds seemed to double. I think I started around 5 months, but can't remember, but very slowly...carrots for a week etc...I think it depends on the baby, if they are looking extremely interested in food and ready to eat and want to then I don't see what the problem is. I found it did help, but it takes a while...until they were over 6 months prob. till they stopped waking so much for feeds in the night.

CherryChoc · 26/02/2009 19:40

It gradually improved. We are back down to 1-2 wakings per night now. I agree with you about the weaning - hang in there! There is a thread on the sleep section for 4-5 month sleep problems, it helped me.

SnowlightMcKenzie · 26/02/2009 19:40

Come and join us over here

Original poster

SydneyB · 26/02/2009 19:44

Snowlight, I've been lurking on your thread too fearful to admit that I need to join! My name is SydneyB and my 4 mth old wakes a lot in the night. Phew, have admitted it. First step in getting over it, right?!

OP posts:

SnowlightMcKenzie · 26/02/2009 19:44

Baby Starlight was hell from around 4.5 months to just the last few nights (5.5 months).

It was around 4-5 weeks of hell. I didn't wean. The last 4 nights she has slept 6 hours, 8 hours, 6 hours and 10 hours.

If I had weaned I'd probably be feeling that it was responsible for the sleep I am getting now. Of course, I'd have been wrong.

This is regression to newborn hell, it is a phase and it will pass.

Come and join our 4-5 month club and whinge along with us. It is a horrible time I know, and it comes ON TOP of 4 months of sleep deprivation and when you were beginning to see an improvement and perhaps claim some of your evenings back.

Original poster

SydneyB · 26/02/2009 19:52

Ok Snowlight, I'm off to join y'all. I have just discussed with DH and agreed that he will do EVERYTHING else and I will keep going until 26 weeks and grit teeth. Apart from looking after DD all day whilst he's at work, sigh. You've given me hope at least... But you're right. Its just when you think the worst is over...

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