Advice desperately needed - bad feeding / sleeping problems

[Rat99]

I have a 4 month old who seems to have endless feeding problems. I'm b/fing, but she has reflux so finds feeding painful. Tried Gaviscon - no help, so now trying Ranitidine. That seems to be reducing the screaming.

The main problem atm is that she wakes to feed 8 to 10 times every night! She has been on solid food since 2.5 months due to feeding all the time, but she still feeds off me continuosly (though more at night than day). She won't take a bottle, so I'm exhausted and really struggling. Worse yet, I have to go back to work 3 days a week in 3 weeks!

Any advice on reducing feeds and/or getting her on a bottle really appreciated!

I've tried all the usual - if I leave her at night she screams continuosly; she won't take a dummy or be comforted back to sleep. For the bottle, I've tried differnet types and cups and even pouring it in her mouth (she spits it out). I've also left her with other people and after 12 hours without me she took 30mls of expressed milk!

Hi rat99 - poor poor you, sounds like you are having a really tough time.

It seems that you have tried all the right things and I'm afraid I don't have any other suggestions.

The only other thing you might consider is calling on the services of an expert, like a maternity nurse perhaps? Not cheap I gather but they will have lots of experience in dealing with problems like this. And to have someone in the house helping you through it might give you the moral support you need to fix it.

If you search Google for maternity nurses in the UK that might be a start.

Best of luck x

My lo started to sleep really badly at 4 monthes. From looking at mumsnet it is quite common (not of practical help I know but just to say it is not you!) We tried everything but now realise he was going through a huge growth spurt (again not of any practical help but were pleased to find an answer to why). He is getting better now.

It sounds like you have it tough though. I hope someone comes up with some useful suggestions

Ratt, look at our post 'sleep is for the weak' it came about because a few of us discovered that our babies sleeping went wonky at four months. You're not alone. Do you think introducing solids so early is making the reflux worse? I can't offer advice on that bit so you may want to seek out the experts on the weaning pages but it really isn't that uncommon for 4 monthers to start to wake and feed more at night. Unfortunately.

Hi again - just another thought that occurred to me.

Have you tried latex teats rather than the silicone ones? My baby daughter won't touch silicone dummies, only the latex ones.

Also, perhaps try breaking the association of bottle = crying and hunger. Try offering it to her a few times during the day when she's calm, and see how you go.