Please help me know what to do - floundering re: weaning etc

[lou031205]

Hi all, before anyone mentions it, I am posting this in both Weaning and Breast and Bottle feeding, in case different people read both areas iyswim.

My 2nd DD is now 19 weeks, but 15 weeks corrected (born 1 month early).

I took her to the health visitors 2 weeks ago for her Jabs, and we discussed her weight and weaning etc. When she was weighed the HV noted that she has dropped slightly on her centiles (was consistently 75th for weight corrected, dropped to just around 50th).

I asked her if this was significant, and mentioned that whilst previously sleeping through the night, she was now waking several times for feeds. The HV said it could be a sign, along with her weight slowing, that she needed weaning, and that they often suggest that prem babies need weaning earlier, and it often helps with reflux.

DD has had reflux diagnosed, and was on Gaviscon, then moved to Carobel and Ranitidine, although recently seems so much better that I have stopped both.

I tried her with baby rice twice and although she took it well (used to eating from spoon for Carobel), I was just not convinced that it was the right way to go.

I have read about BLW, and this seems like it would be the most logical way to go, and as yet she would be too young, and she is showing none of the signs that are indicative of being ready to wean (DD1 by contrast was grabbing at plates at 11-12 weeks, and weaning by 14 'cos she was just SO ready).

So, if you have got this far, I now have a baby who feeds all evening (has always cluster fed) and several times in the day time, who seems to have taken a step back in terms of settling but I am not convinced that spooning baby rice into her is the way forward.

In addition, I am now getting advice along the lines of "maybe your milk isn't enough to satisfy her" and "perhaps you should offer some formula in the evenings".

Last night it was 01.45 before she settled, and then up again at 05.45 to feed!

Please, please give me your ideas, because right now I think I am clearly clueless!

I love her, love breastfeeding (but boy is it hard work with a just turned 2 year old to look after also), and just want to do what is best for her.

My DD wasn't prem but I'll tell you my experience. When she was 4 mos old she started doing the same thing- not settling, not going thru night, etc. Someone advised (not HV) that it might be a good time to try baby rice. I tried it, and it worked for exactly one day. She slept really well. I thought I cracked it. However after two days she went right back to waking frequently. Because I had started her on rice I thought I should keep going- so I kept giving her blobs of the stuff in the evening for a month, then started giving it to her in the morning after that. It didn't make one bit of difference- sleep-wise or weight-wise.

I know she wasnt prem, so this may not be helpful... but, in retrospect I would've skipped the rice and not weaned her until she was 6 months. Have a read of the information on www.kellymom.com- there is some very useful information. After reading loads of books and websites I find this site to be the most informative.

Follow your instincts... if you think BLW is the way to go, then do it!! You know your baby better than anyone.

Thank you for replying. I will get through this, but just really struggling with conflicts of options.

I want to wait, I think, if it's the right thing for her, it just seems like another 7 weeks is a huge time away, and what if I get there and she still isn't physically developed in ways such as pincer grip, sitting with support, etc?

I don't think you should wean. the risks of doing so IMO, outweigh any possible benefit you may feel you get from weaning early (ie sleeping better, which is in no way guaranteed)

your milk is the perfect food for her, high in calories which is what she needs to put weight on- not baby rice.
she is probably having a growth spurt which is why she is waking during the night and feeding more frequently- to get more of the good stuff. she will settle down eventually

you have to do what YOU think is best and it sounds from your post like you don't want to wean yet. your milk IS enough to satisfy her, and she will be fine on it until she is 6 months

Sounds like a growth spurt to me. You might find she feeds like a banshee for a week or two and then puts on loads of weight!

I always find it strange that HVs recommend weaning when a baby's weight gain slows down. Firstly, it's normal for weight gain to tail off slightly, and secondly, breastmilk (or formula obviously) contains far more calories and nutrients than baby rice or veg purees.

Can you ride out the feeding on demand and see how it goes?

Thanks for the encouragement - it is really all I need. Am sitting typing one handed because DD has decided that some milk would go down nicely.

Sidge - of course I can ride it out .

I so want to see her trying foods for herself & experiencing them as they are meant to be.

Good stuff

We did BLW with DD3 and it's lovely - she is now 15 months and is a gannet, eats pretty much anything! She can put away a roast dinner the same portion size as her nearly 4 yr old sister using her hands and a fork!

Hope you get more sleep soon.