Feeding

[MCHW]

My 9 week old still doesn't seem too settled feeding. Taking 2-4oz every 2-3 hours however, most days wants milk 1.5hrs after last feed. She's a very messy feeder and her bib gets soaked so I'm not quite sure how much she is actually taking. Anyone else had this experience? Any tips to help? Going to try switching to bigger teats today but when I did this two weeks ago the mess was ten times worse but worth giving it another go. Night feeds are a little more apart, she will feed 6, 7 and 8pm and take around 6oz over the two hours and then sleep until 11.30-1am, not consistent but at least there's a 3-4 hour stretch. After that first early morning feed though she doesn't really settle and her 2-4am feed is very fretful, she's very agitated and always seems to get congested during the night for which I'm using saline spray. Only way she does settle around 4am is in her swing chair downstairs which I don't want her relying on but if it means one of us gets that extra hour then great. My husband can sleep anywhere so he's getting enough sleep but it takes me a good hour to get to sleep and once I'm awake that's it. I've been up since 3am with her and never went back to sleep after 11.30pm feed. She just will not settle and doesn't have long daytime naps either, 15 minutes spurts. I'm totally exhausted as literally running on two hours sleep most nights and most mornings am broken but have to keep it together because have a toddler to see to come 6.30am. My appetite is totally lost too and I'm struggling to eat anything during the day because of my stress levels. Times she does sleep in day, I can't settle because I don't know how long she will sleep for and despite my toddler napping in the afternoon, I still cannot get any rest. Any tips on how to help I would appreciate. Thank you.

Sounds normal to me I’m afraid. Which type of bottles you using? Maybe she would get on better with a different brand.

I feel your pain re. getting to sleep during the day/getting back to sleep at night. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” is the biggest lie I’ve ever heard! Cry when the baby cries is more like it

I think at some point you’ll just be so tired that the hour of you trying to get back to sleep will just stop. In the meantime make sure you are eating enough. Food and coffee will give you energy.

I know you know this but at 9 weeks you are a good way through the worst phase. If you can make it to 12 weeks she’ll probably start sleeping for longer stretches and you’ll soon be out the other side. Keep going and good luck!!

Have you had baby checked for tongue tie? A severe tongue tie can make it difficult for baby to bottle feed as well as breastfeed so worth getting it ruled out.

Thanks ladies. Just had 8 week check and first jabs and health visitor said it sounds like colic or reflux with her whereas doctor said she's gaining weight and isn't being sick so it isn't reflux and colic would be daily. I guess she just doesn't like laying flat and congestion at night is making her very fretful with her feeds. Been told by them not to use sleepy head in crib as they not safe but then the nurse said put her where she is comfy to sleep, put her in pram and swing of that's where she sleeps - mixes advice - no wonder our heads spin isn't it.
She hasn't got tongue tie and tried dr brown, mam and tommee bottles with no change. Give gripe water when she's in pain because she doesn't burp and then displays trapped wind pain. Tried infacol but that didn't do anything. She's is complete opposite to my first. Thanks all x

Maybe she has silent reflux. See another GP and ask to trial Rantitadine.

I would get her checked for tongue tie before investigating starting medication. 2oz sounds v little for a 9 week old to be taking at a time. Reassuring that she's gaining weight

I've changed teat size today and she's taken 3oz, sumped 4oz then just took 2oz but has just had her first injections. Been less dribble today so I'm hoping bigger teat helps with amount. She's between 50 and 75 centile so doctor has no concerns and said it's not reflux or tongue tie but if it continues I will get another opinion. It's very frustrating as she's a grizzly baby and dealing with sleep deprivation and my toddler can be tough going most days. Thank you x

A tongue tie diagnosis is a complex oral examination involving feeling around the mouth, under the tongue and allowing a baby to suck on a (gloved) finger to assess the function of the tongue to ensure it transfers milk effectively. If anyone has diagnosed a tie (or lack of a tie) without performing these checks, then they are operating outside their remit. In my local hospital only 3 midwives and an ENT consultant are trained to perform this examination - i s not part of standard training.

It sounds like your baby may be struggling with milk transfer if feeding is messy. However, many babies do feed little and often and the feeding guides on the back of the formula tubs tend to be highly unrealistic expecting to babies to take 5 large feeds from a very young age. Current guidance is to feed little and often, so it's great you're doing this. However if your baby seems upset or uncomfortable it indicates that something else may be distressing them.

Thanks Danny dyer this makes sense. I'm of the opinion it's silent reflux as some feeds are agitated and she goes stiff and throws herself back if I'm trying to wind her. She did a big burp last feed and brought abit of milk back up. No2 teats are helping and there's less spit out however, this doesn't resolve what appears to be trapped wind. Trying infacol again over next week and if this doesn't help then will go back to doctor for second opinion x