Feeding predicament

Ok, so here's some background info. The boys came home from the NICU on a 4 hour feeding schedule. This is great for Grandt, who is also gaining really really well- he's almost 8 pounds! Grayson on the other hand seems to want to eat every 3 hours and he is not gaining well. He's gaining, but very very slowly! He's almost 6 pounds. The pediatrician doesn't seem concerned because he's come along way from birth (2 pounds 2 ounces).

So now here's my problem, do I feed Grayson every 3 and Grandt every 4? I was thinking I could do that and pump in between. On paper that looks ideal, but in real life, I'm not so sure! So have any of you experienced this?!

Oh and they are eating breastmilk fortified with similac neosure to make it 24 calorie and 1 teaspoon of rice cereal to each ounce. They both get straight neosure 24 twice a day. The NICU said to do this for Grayson and I just do it for Grandt so I don't go too insane!

TIA

 

I say you give the 3/4 hour strategy you mentioned for a week. If you hate it, see if you can feed Grandt every 3.5 hrs w/just BM (not Neosure) so he will be a little more hungry. That's a tough one! Hopefully they will even out soon!

 

I was never in your situation - but for me, feeding them at the same time made everything easier. However, I have read that for others, feeding at different times is easier. I would try to get them on the same schedule - 3 or 3.5 hours. We did have to do different formula for each of the girls b/c of reflux. It wasn't too bad - for me personally I would rather have it different formula at the same time. Then I could pump when they were both sleeping. Maybe you could give Grandt a little less, or without the similac like pp said? GL!

 

I don't know Tarin, that schedule sounds insane to me! It sounds like you will be feeding or pumping all the time, and having no break for yourself, which you need! I think I would put them both on a 3 hour(my two were both on a 3 hour until 8 months) if you can swing it. Are you comfortable feeding them both at the same time? It's a huge time saver if you can do it.

:hug:

 

I can't feed them at the same time because they both still have brady's during meals. It's a lot less now, but it still happens enough that I'm not comfortable doing that. They were eating consecutively before now and that worked, but Grayson would be screaming after 3 hours. I was able to hold him off, but I don't want to make him wait, KWIM? Ugh

Grandt would have no problem eating every 3 hours, I just really like the 4 hours!! lol I guess I will switch them both to 3 hours and see how that works.

When do they start sleeping longer through the night?! Grandt would go 5 and a half hours at night, but when Grayson came home and got up at 4 I would get Grandt up too. Do you guys think with 3 hours through the day they will go longer at night?! lol I need sleep, or help, but I'm not getting any of the that!

Thanks everyone, I would be lost with out you all!

 

Sadly my boys didn't sleep longer than 4 hours until about 3-4 months. I was so tired. I would sleep when they napped at least once a day. Forget all the housework and rest. I know this is another post entirely, but can you ask the father to help you a little more after feedings so you can rest? I always tried to do it all myself b/c I didn't trust anyone else not to screw up our schedule so I know it's hard.

Glad we can help you!!

 

:hug: for the brady's, that must be scary, and I can see why you wouldn't want to feed them at the same time. I would definitely give the 3 hour schedule a shot and see how it works for them and you.

So, adjusted age, they are just at their due date right? 5 hours is like a miracle for that age! I know it probably doesn't feel like it though if you aren't getting a break at all. :hug:

Emma started sleeping through(10-12 hours) at 3 months and Jake at 6 months. I kept them on a 3 hour schedule during the day because I felt like the more feedings I could get in during the day, the less(EVENTUALLY!)they would need at night.

Hang in there. :hug:

 

I fed mine at the same time, but it was often different amounts. For example, James could go three hours on 3 ounces but Evan needed 4 ounces to go the same length of time. I found this a much better system than doing separate schedules. It's really hard to balance the needs of both if you don't keep them in the same groove (relatively speaking, of course - you don't want to be TOO rigid).