My 11 week old is a very efficient, easy feeder. Every 2.5/3 hours during the day, and often goes from 10pm to 5/6am overnight. He's never comfort nursed or fed to sleep, but he has a dummy. At 8 weeks, he was steady on the 91st centile for weight. I assume he's about the same now- he's growing well and developing normally
For extra background: I am trialling dairy free after he became increasingly unsettled with inconsolable screaming, infrequent poos, gassy and congested. I'm not convinced it's an allergy or intolerance really (this may be wishful thinking as I'm utterly miserable on this DF diet) but I needed to do something proactive.
Anyway, to the point: for the second time in a few days he has skipped his mid-afternoon feed. I'd offer him the breast every hour or so but he'd just get upset. In the end and over five hours since his last feed, I expressed 6oz and gave it to him in a bottle - he guzzled the lot.
What could this be? Despite the dairy-free woe, I'd be devastated if he started to reject breastfeeding. I fed my older daughter for a year and hated almost every minute of it, but I'm really enjoying feeding this baby and I'd be heartbroken for it to stop so early.
Could it be developmental? Is it normal for such a young baby to happily go this long without feeding in the day?
Any experience or advice very gratefully received!